Criminal tampering charges—whether first- or second-degree—can result in jail time and thousands of dollars in fines. But before you can be convicted of a crime, the prosecution must prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
For a first-degree criminal tampering charge, the prosecution must prove the following elements:
- The defendant tampered with the property of a utility or institution providing health or safety protection
- The defendant did so intending to cause interruption or impairment of service
A Colorado defense attorney may be able to help you reduce or dismiss your charges by building a defense strategy on your behalf. Possible defenses for first-degree criminal tampering include:
- You weren’t tampering with the property of a utility or institution providing health or safety protection
- You had no intention of causing interruption or impairment of service
- The prosecution is unable to prove the elements of conviction beyond a reasonable doubt
A Class 1 Misdemeanor conviction in Colorado Springs will stay on your record for three years following the end of your sentence. That’s three years of damage to your reputation, missed opportunities, and reduced quality of life.
Don’t leave your livelihood up to chance. Consult with a qualified Colorado criminal defense attorney at Right Law Group.
Colorado Revised Statutes, CRS 18-4-505:
Except as provided in sections 18-4-506.3 and 18-4-506.5, a person commits the crime of first degree criminal tampering if, with intent to cause interruption or impairment of a service rendered to the public by a utility or by an institution providing health or safety protection, he tampers with property of a utility or institution. First degree criminal tampering is a class 1 misdemeanor.