Obstructing a Peace Officer Defense Lawyer in Denver, Colorado

Wolf Law is proud to serve Denver and surrounding communities, including Aurora, Lakewood, and the broader Denver Metro area. Obstruction charges in Colorado can arise from situations that might not seem like criminal conduct to the person involved. Asking questions during a police encounter, refusing to move, or intervening in what appears to be an unfair situation can all result in an obstruction charge. If you are facing an obstructing a peace officer charge in Colorado, you need an excellent criminal defense attorney who understands the law and how to challenge these charges effectively.

Wolf Law represents individuals across Colorado with a criminal defense practice focused on preparation, strategy, and strong legal advocacy. Attorneys and Partners Jeff Wolf and Colleen Kelley lead the firm’s defense team, each bringing decades of trial experience, sharp legal analysis, and a shared commitment to protecting their clients’ rights at every stage. Both attorneys are known for their national media presence on Court TV and Law & Crime, and both bring that same rigor and skill to every obstruction defense case they handle in Colorado. Together, they reflect Wolf Law’s philosophy that excellent criminal defense begins with genuine commitment to the people we represent.

Obstruction charges are often misunderstood. Many people charged with obstruction were not trying to help anyone escape justice — they were confused, frightened, or objecting to what they believed was unfair treatment. Understanding the law and your rights is essential, and so is having the right legal team on your side.

What Is Obstructing a Peace Officer Under Colorado Law?

Under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 18-8-104, a person commits obstructing a peace officer if they, by using or threatening to use violence, force, or physical interference or obstacle, knowingly obstruct, impair, or hinder the enforcement of the penal law or the preservation of the peace by a peace officer acting under color of official authority.

Obstructing a peace officer is a class 2 misdemeanor under Colorado’s two-class misdemeanor system. Like resisting arrest, it is frequently charged alongside other offenses, and the combination can significantly affect the overall complexity and stakes of the case. The word knowingly is important — the prosecution must prove that you were aware your conduct would obstruct the officer, not merely that obstruction was an unintended result.

What Are Common Scenarios That Lead to Obstruction Charges?

Obstruction charges arise from a wide range of encounters. Our attorneys regularly handle cases involving:

Intervening in an arrest: Attempting to physically intervene when an officer arrests another person — even a friend or family member — can be charged as obstruction. The intent behind the intervention and the nature of the physical contact are central to the defense.
Providing false information: Giving a false name, address, or other information to a peace officer can support an obstruction charge in certain circumstances under Colorado law.
Refusing lawful orders: Failing to comply with a lawful police order — such as an instruction to leave an area or step back from a scene — when physical interference is involved can result in obstruction charges.
Third-party interference: Standing between an officer and a suspect, blocking a vehicle, or otherwise physically impeding an officer’s actions are common factual bases for these charges in Denver and Aurora.

How to Know When You Should Contact a Lawyer for Obstruction Charges

You should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately if you have been charged with obstructing a peace officer or if you believe you are under investigation for this offense. Even as a misdemeanor, an obstruction conviction affects your permanent criminal record and can impact employment, professional licensing, and background checks.

Obstruction charges are also commonly used as leverage in cases where the underlying charge is more serious. How you handle the obstruction count — whether that means fighting it, negotiating a reduction, or pursuing other options — can affect your overall legal position significantly. Our attorneys evaluate the full picture from the very first consultation.

Facing obstruction charges in Denver, Aurora, or Lakewood? Call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 for a free consultation. Our attorneys will evaluate your case and your options right away.

What Are the Defenses to Obstructing a Peace Officer in Colorado?

A charge is not a conviction. Our attorneys examine every aspect of an obstruction case and identify the strongest defenses available:

No knowing obstruction: The statute requires knowing obstruction. If you did not understand that your conduct was obstructing the officer — because of confusion, noise, the chaotic nature of the scene, or other factors — the knowledge element may be challengeable.
No physical force or interference: Colorado’s obstruction statute requires the use or threat of violence, force, or physical interference. Purely verbal conduct does not satisfy the statute. Our attorneys assess whether the alleged conduct actually rises to the level the law requires.
Unlawful police conduct: If the officer was not acting under lawful authority — for example, if the underlying arrest or stop was unlawful — the obstruction charge may not hold. We examine the legality of the officer’s conduct as a foundational matter.
First Amendment activity: Recording police activity, verbally objecting to police conduct, and observing police encounters are protected activities under Colorado law and the First Amendment. Our attorneys challenge any attempt to criminalize protected expression.

How Obstruction Charges Interact With Other Offenses

Obstruction of a peace officer rarely stands alone. It is commonly charged alongside resisting arrest, assault on a peace officer, interference with police, and the underlying offense that triggered the police encounter. Each additional charge adds complexity and increases the stakes of the case.

Jeff Wolf and Colleen Kelley are both excellent trial attorneys who have spent decades handling complex, multi-charge criminal cases throughout Colorado. Both appear regularly on national platforms including Law & Crime and Court TV — not because they comment from the sidelines, but because they practice criminal law at a high level every day. When your case involves stacked charges at Denver County Court, the Jefferson County Courthouse in Golden, or elsewhere in the Denver Metro area, our attorneys are ready to address every count strategically.

What to Do If You Are Charged With Obstructing a Peace Officer

Stay calm and exercise your rights: You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Exercise both. Do not explain, justify, or describe what happened to police without your attorney present.
Document your recollection: Write down everything you remember about the encounter as soon as possible — where you were, what the officer said, what you did, and what happened in the moments before the charge arose.
Identify witnesses: If anyone else was present and observed what happened, their account may be essential to your defense. Let your attorney know about potential witnesses immediately.
Preserve any recordings: If you, a bystander, or a nearby business captured the encounter on video, that footage can be critical. Do not delete anything, and alert your attorney to its existence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Obstruction Charges in Colorado

Can I be charged with obstruction for recording police?

No. Under Colorado law, recording police in a public place is a protected activity. Obstruction requires physical force or interference, not the act of recording.

What if I was trying to protect a family member from arrest?

Physical intervention in an arrest, even to protect a loved one, can result in obstruction or assault charges. The legality of the underlying arrest and the nature of your conduct are the key factors.

Can obstruction charges be dismissed?

Yes. With strong legal representation, obstruction charges are sometimes dismissed or reduced, particularly when the factual record does not support the legal elements of the offense.

Contact Wolf Law — Fight Your Obstruction Charge Today

If you are facing an obstructing a peace officer charge in Colorado, Wolf Law is ready to help. Our attorneys offer free consultations and will evaluate your case, identify your defenses, and build a strategy from day one. Call 720.479.8574 to speak with our legal team.

Wolf Law represents clients throughout the Denver Metro area with excellent criminal defense focused on protecting rights and securing results. Whether your case is in Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, or anywhere along the Colfax corridor or beyond, our legal team is ready. Call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 for your free consultation.

Wolf Law | 720.479.8574 | Free Consultation | Colorado Criminal Defense

Featured Blogs

Certifications

Testimonials

I Recommend Jeff Wolf to Anyone Needing Legal Defense

I retained the services of Jeff Wolf after I received a DUI. During the free consultation, Jeff reviewed his services and the details of what would happen before, during and after my trial. He was very thorough, supportive and diligent in ensuring all my questions were answered. I am thrilled with the level of service he provided for an extremely reasonable fee. Jeff was accessible and reassuring throughout this entire process. The end-result of my hearing was exactly what I had expected based on Jeff’s counseling. This is a direct result of his knowledge and experience with the court and the system. I was very impressed with his closing presentation in court and his professionalism and felt that the judge reduced my fines and my sentence because of Jeff’s efforts. I have already recommended him to two other people and will continue to recommend him to anyone requiring the services of a defense attorney.

— Monty

Highly recommend Jeff

I had an excellent experience with Wolf Law. Jeff Wolf was incredibly dedicated throughout the entire process and made what could have been a stressful situation feel much more manageable. He took the time to clearly explain every step, ensuring I always understood what was happening and what to expect next. What stood out most was his commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for my case. His professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care made a real difference. I always felt like I was in capable hands. I would highly recommend Wolf Law to anyone looking for knowledgeable, responsive, and results-driven legal representation.

— Harper T.

Successful and Very Pleased

My name is Matt and I was ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years. I ended up registering for 15 because the courts make it near impossible to get off the list. I tried on my own more than once and the paperwork for one county alone is enough to discourage someone, let alone four counties. I felt hopeless.

I decided to call Wolf Law and get an estimate. I ended up meeting with Colleen Kelley and she was very helpful. Told me the price, which was very reasonable, and I paid to get started. She warned me that it can take up to a year to get a court date and she was right. For me it took nine months, but when the time came, she represented me well and I finally got off the registry.

Life is so much more comfortable now and less embarrassing. The S.O. title is one of the worst badges of shame one can wear and thanks to Colleen Kelley and Wolf Law I no longer carry that weight. I’m thrilled to feel like a normal guy again.

— Matt S.

Hit and Run Charges

I had multiple charges stacked against me by the CSP office for a questionable “hit and run” in my office parking lot. Jeff reviewed the video evidence and was able to get the charges reduced from 26 points against my driver’s license down to 4. He was also able to get the fines reduced to the minimum amount! Jeff was extremely knowledgeable and helped ease my fears each time we spoke and explained the whole process and what to expect along the way. Thank you, Jeff!

— Jim M.

Jeff Wolf Helped Me Keep My Job

Jeff was a terrific advocate while representing me through my DWAI. He was professional. I am convinced that it was his prior trial experience and effective communication skills that secured a much more desirable sentence than I had expected. I am positive that Jeff’s representation made it so that I could keep my job.

— Matt

Excellent Attorney

We hired Jeff to take over my son’s case after our first attorney (from another firm) showed up to his first court date late, looking homeless, and worst of all, having absolutely no knowledge of the case. We hired Jeff who did an excellent job explaining the process and how to get the outcomes we were fighting for. My son was facing years in Jail and a class 2 felony on his record as a teenager. He was able to plead the case down to a deferred sentence with no jail time and in record time. The entire process took a little over 6 weeks. When we went to court for my son to accept his sentence, I could tell that a big reason Jeff gets the outcomes he does is due to his professionalism and good working relationships with his colleagues in the Justice system. Thank you, Jeff. I got my first good night’s sleep in a long time last night. I will be forever grateful to you. Thank you so much for helping my son keep his future in his control.

— D

Highly Recommend Wolf Law for DUI Cases

I hired Jeff Wolf to represent me for a DUI and accident involving damages. While I knew I was 100 percent in the wrong, Jeff never once made me feel like a terrible person for making a mistake. He quickly responded to emails and always called me back quickly when I had questions (I had a lot of questions). I’ve never been in trouble with the law before, and Jeff was patient in explaining everything thoroughly to me throughout the entire process, and was also able to get my sentence reduced. I recommend him to anyone going through a similar situation.

— Emily

My Experience with Wolf Law

I am nothing but pleased with the service, trustworthiness, advice, compassion, and hard work that Wolf Law has provided me with. My case lasted for about six months in 2019. I had charges regarding the developing laws concerning marijuana in Colorado. Originally I wasted four months with a lawyer who made the already stressful and unfortunate situation ever more challenging and miserable. It was a blessing to meet Jeff! He was able to reach a resolution with the Colorado Springs DA that would allow me to have a chance in the future. Every step of the way he was patient, present, persistent, and a pleasure to work with. I drove all the way from Colorado Springs to find a lawyer that would fight for justice to the best of their ability and Jeff Wolf was that person – a person who cares about his clients and their lives. He did his job without judgment and exuded understanding and encouragement throughout. It is difficult to find people who are willing to genuinely help others and keep them positive. My hope is that if you find yourself in a situation where you are seeking legal counsel, please give Jeff’s firm a call. I cannot thank him enough for his kindness and work through this difficult time.

— S.M.

Jeffrey Wolf is Everything You Could Hope for in a Defense Attorney

When a tragic situation affected our family, we immediately contacted Jeffery Wolf. We were comforted knowing that we had a knowledgeable, communicative and compassionate attorney on our side. He often answered our calls after-hours and always stayed with us after court appearances to answer all our questions. During busy times, he would be sure to send a quick note letting us know when he would get back to us and never left us wondering if he had received our inquiries. Beyond being confident that we had the best representation possible, we also knew that Jeffery really cared about us and in fact, he became an honorary member of our family. He was open and honest with us and the DA in order to come up with the best, most fair agreement. We were never left wondering what was going on or what was going to happen. We knew that Jeffery would fight for us as hard and for as long as it took. It felt wonderful knowing that we had Jeffery in our corner. Hopefully we will never need his services again, but if we do, he will be our first call. We highly recommend Jeffery Wolf for anyone who needs a lawyer and wants the best.

— Jenni DeWitt Walker

6-Month Jail Sentence Reduced to 90 Days

I was arrested in May 2014 for a warrant that I had since 2010 for DUR, I was facing a six month jail sentence that would have caused me to lose my business, home, as well as once again re-offend me. After countless calls and conversations and meetings with numerous attorneys I was referred to Jeffery Wolf. By simply speaking with him over the phone I felt a little at ease, until I met with him and after that I was completely at ease. He made feel the way an attorney is suppose to make a client feel. He was extremely personable, caring, honest, completely honest, and very detailed as to what his process is and what will take place in court.

On the day of my hearing Jeff arrived a little early and had me wait in the hallway while he stepped into the court room and went to bat for me. The result was a 0 point violation allowing me to keep my DL, a six-month jail sentence reduced to 90 days in-home detention, and a $67 fine, which was way more than I expected.

I highly recommend Jeff he is an excellent attorney that takes your case as serious as you do. I hope I never have to hire an attorney again but if I do without a doubt Jeffrey Wolf will be my first and only thought.

— David