18-3005. INTIMIDATION BY FALSE ASSERTION OF AUTHORITY. (1) Any person who either:

(a) Deliberately impersonates or falsely acts as a public officer or tribunal, public employee or any law enforcement authority in connection with or relating to any actual or purported legal process affecting persons or property; or

(b) Simulates legal process including, but not limited to, actions affecting title to real or personal property, indictments, subpoenas, warrants, injunctions, liens, orders, judgments, or any legal documents or proceedings; knowing or having reason to know the contents of any such documents or proceedings or the basis for any action to be fraudulent; or

(c) While acting falsely in asserting authority of law takes action against persons or property; or

(d) While acting falsely in asserting authority of law attempts in any way to influence, intimidate, or hinder a public official or law enforcement officer in the discharge of his official duties by means of, but not limited to, threats of or actual physical abuse, harassment, or through the use of simulated legal process;

Is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed one (1) year, or by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) or both.

(2) (a) Nothing in this section shall make unlawful any act of any law enforcement officer or legal tribunal which is performed under lawful authority; and

(b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit individuals from assembling freely to express opinions or designate group affiliation or association; and

(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit or in any way limit a person’s lawful and legitimate access to the courts or prevent a person from instituting or responding to legitimate and lawful legal process.

History:

[18-3005, added 1997, ch. 149, sec. 1, p. 426.]