People in Denver and Douglas County love going to the local library to get away from it all. It is a peaceful experience and is generally quiet. In a recent news story I read, library patrons were surprised to find a woman who thought she needed a deadly weapon for protection in this peaceful place. Apparently, a college student was found with a gun in her possession while in a study area in the school library. After the investigation, the police found the gun was functional, but not loaded correctly. Some college students were evacuated from the library as a precaution, but the community as a whole wasn't in danger. The woman faces Menacing charges.

Facing charges of Menacing?

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The Definition of Menacing in Arapahoe County

In Arapahoe County, a person commits the crime of Menacing, C.R.S. 18-3-206 if:

by any threat or physical action, he or she knowingly places or attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Menacing is a class 3 misdemeanor, but, it is a class 5 felony if committed:

(a) By the use of a deadly weapon or any article used or fashioned in a manner to cause a person to reasonably believe that the article is a deadly weapon; or

(b) By the person representing verbally or otherwise that he or she is armed with a deadly weapon.

Merely possessing a firearm does not amount to Menacing. We wonder how police could have charged this woman with a serious crime when there was no indication she attempted to put others in fear of serious bodily injury. It was unclear whether the college student made comments about what she was going to do with the gun. An experienced criminal defense attorney would be able to convince a jury that the government failed to meet its burden of proof for this felony crime. Unfortunately, bad facts don't always prevent police from filing a charge against someone.

Menacing With a Weapon Often Misinterpreted in Jefferson County

Our criminal defense attorneys know many people charged with Menacing are innocent.

Menacing charges can be filed in Jefferson County after a misunderstanding leads to an overreaction. Take a situation like an argument between two teenagers, for instance. When the two are fighting, one of them takes out a pocket knife from his pocket. He has no intention of hurting the other teen; he just wants him to stop arguing. The teen's pocket knife makes his friend fear for his safety. As a result, the teen could face Menacing charges. The knife (a deadly weapon) could be seen as a threat, which caused the other teen to fear imminent serious bodily injury. People often make decisions out of anger that lead to serious consequences. In every case, our criminal defense attorneys stand by your side when facing Menacing charges. Like the young lady in our story above, we know many people charged with Menacing are innocent. Don't wait to contact our office if facing Menacing charges.

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If you or a loved one has been charged with Menacing, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys at the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880. If you or a friend needs a Denver or Adams County Jail visit from an attorney, we can do that as well. Together, we can protect your future.Request a Free Consultation

Image Credit: Pixabay – jarmoluk