Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: District Attorneys

Weiser’s record: The special prosecution paradox
Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

Weiser’s record: The special prosecution paradox

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice When a serial killer was working his way through the San Luis Valley, Anne Kelly's eight-lawyer office needed help. She didn't call the Attorney General. "That case was certainly a prime case for which the attorney general's office could have assisted," said Kelly, the 12th Judicial District DA whose office covers six rural counties in southern Colorado. "Instead, the Boulder County District Attorney's Office sent a crew of people upon the request of the district attorney and handled that case from start to finish. And that was really the only reason why that case was as successful as it was." The case was against Adre Baroz, known as "Psycho," sentenced in May 2024 for five murders in the San Luis Valley. He is servin...
Proposed Law Could Expose Colorado Prosecutors to Civil Lawsuits
DENVER7, Approved, State

Proposed Law Could Expose Colorado Prosecutors to Civil Lawsuits

By Colette Bordelon | Denver7 A bill that could be introduced in the Colorado legislature is already drawing strong opinions on what prosecutorial immunity should look like. DENVER — In Colorado, prosecutors can face criminal ramifications if their actions while working on a case warrant such a charge — but they cannot be sued in civil court for damages caused to a defendant. The concept is called prosecutorial immunity, something the district attorney for the First Judicial District, Alexis King, explained to Denver7 The Colorado Attorney Regulation Counsel addresses ethics concerns as an independent body that can review attorney conduct and licensure. "Not only do I believe the checks and balances are there, I believe that prosecutors as a p...
Bill Targeting Government Purchase of Personal Data Faces Law Enforcement Opposition
Colorado Politics, Approved, State

Bill Targeting Government Purchase of Personal Data Faces Law Enforcement Opposition

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics A bipartisan coalition of Colorado lawmakers is advancing a bill that would prohibit police from purchasing personal consumer data without a warrant, setting up a clash with prosecutors who warn the measure could hamper criminal investigations. House Bill 1037, sponsored by Reps. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, and Ken DeGraaf, R-Colorado Springs, and Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Evergreen, would prohibit law enforcement and government entities from purchasing “certain personal data” from third parties without a warrant, except in emergencies. The bill, which sponsors are calling the “Fourth Amendment is Not For Sale Act,” aims to prohibit personal data purchased from a third party from being used as evidence in court. “Fundamentally, w...
Colorado’s crime problem is bigger than the laws on the books
Colorado Accountability Project, Approved, Commentary, State

Colorado’s crime problem is bigger than the laws on the books

By Cory Gaines | Commentary, Colorado Accountability Project Colorado’s crime problem isn’t just due to our laws As I've written before, our troubles with crime involve more than just the laws on the books.There are a few steps in the criminal justice process where someone has discretion. Discretion means the ability to be too hard, or too soft.District Attorneys decide on whether to charge and what charges to bring. Judges decide on bail, and the trial judge passes sentence.Each step a chance to be too harsh or too easy.The Complete Colorado article at bottom details a new effort by some lawmakers and talk radio host Jeff Hunt. Their website is linked below the story for convenience.I'll leave it to you to read either, but in brief, their effort is intended to bring publ...
Sheriffs and prosecutors rally behind Michael Allen for attorney general, cite courtroom experience
Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

Sheriffs and prosecutors rally behind Michael Allen for attorney general, cite courtroom experience

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice A handful of sheriffs and district attorneys from different parts of the state have come out in support of Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen, today, as he campaigns for Colorado attorney general. The endorsements focus on his years spent in actual courtrooms prosecuting cases and the way he’s managed to cut back on some crimes in his district. The endorsements share his ideals of real trial experience, cracking down on offenders and keeping partisan battles out of the attorney general’s office. “I’m honored to earn the support of these respected law enforcement leaders and prosecutors who have dedicated their careers to public safety. They know what it takes to hold criminals accountable and keep ...
New Colorado Nonprofit Targets Judges and DAs Accused of Being Soft on Crime
Complete Colorado, Approved, State

New Colorado Nonprofit Targets Judges and DAs Accused of Being Soft on Crime

By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado DENVER — Two elected officials representing a hefty swath of the Front Range are teaming up with a Colorado radio host because they say they have had enough of rogue judges releasing violent criminals onto the streets, only to repeat offend. Their desire to change that trajectory led them to form a new non-profit educational group aimed at shining a light on those they believe need to move on from the bench. Conservative talk show host Jeff Hunt, State Rep. Dan Woog (R-Frederick), and 4th Congressional District CU Regent Frank McNulty (R-Highlands Ranch), have joined forces to form Law and Order Action, which they say is “dedicated to holding pro-crime judges, district attorneys and lawmakers accountable.” Woog’s legislat...

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