bail
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Colorado lawmakers sharply divided over drug abuse bills, bail for first-degree murder defendants; meet Heather Graham, Pueblo’s new mayor | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Today is Feb. 23, 2024, and here’s what you need to know: Colorado lawmakers on Tuesday tackled two proposals that offer convergent – and divergent – approaches to combatting drug abuse during a discussion that starkly illuminated on ideological disagreements at the state Capitol. Both bills emerged out of ad hoc panel, which met over…
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Colorado Supreme Court rules ex-death penalty crimes now eligible for bail
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Three years after Colorado lawmakers repealed the death penalty, the state Supreme Court has clarified that defendants accused of crimes formerly subject to capital punishment are now eligible to be released on bail. The Colorado Constitution generally grants criminal defendants the right to bail pending trial, but carves out an exception for “capital offenses” where…
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Senate panel votes down mandatory cash bail for repeat, violent offenders
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Republican-backed legislation that aimed to establish a mandatory cash bail for repeat or violent offenders met a swift end Wednesday at the hands of Democrats who rejected the measure in committee. Senate Bill 41 would have set a mandatory minimum bond amount of $1,000 for people who are accused of committing a violent crime, who didn’t…
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Court recommends dismissing claims against top Mesa County judge for prolonged detention
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A federal magistrate judge recommended dismissing the claims against Mesa County’s top judge over his alleged role in a woman’s two-week detention without bail, a right guaranteed in Colorado’s constitution. At the same time, U.S. Magistrate Judge Nina Y. Wang on Jan. 27 recommended against dismissing one of Michelle Reynolds’ constitutional claims against the sheriffs of…
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Denver DA says she doesn’t support eliminating cash bail
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Denver’s district attorney doesn’t believe that the decision to release people from jail early because of COVID-19 concerns has contributed to violent crime. Her comments, made during a City Council presentation Monday, are a noticeable departure from statements made in recent months by Denver’s police chief and public safety director, who both have expressed concerns…
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IN RESPONSE | Reforms proposed for bail system would fix what isn’t broken
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Colorado bail bond laws are under attack by a pre-trial services initiative, in violation of the 2nd, 5th and 14th amendments to the United States Constitution. People and groups in support of this new bail-reform project include George Soros, philanthropist, and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook fame. What they claim is they don’t fully understand how…
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A whole bunch of Colorado laws go into effect Wednesday
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Wednesday marks 90 days since the end of the legislative session, which means Colorado law is set to change in ways large and small as a passel of new statutes join to legal code. More than 200 laws are set to take effect on Aug. 9. More take effect at staggered dates, depending on how…
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With pair of crime bills, Navarro notches major bipartisan support, extends 2017 streak
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The Colorado House launched two crime bills to the Senate on Monday with overwhelming support, both bills sponsored by Pueblo Republican Rep. Clarice Navarro. The victories come on the heels of the broad support Navarro won earlier in the legislative session for a bill she sponsored to wave state income tax on Olympic winnings. All…
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Nicolais: Colorado bail reform leading the way
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Years ago I defended a pro bono client against battery and disorderly conduct charges. He worked a blue-collar construction job, tried hard to take care of his children, and had a lengthy, but distant criminal record. When we went in for his arraignment, the prosecutor offered to drop the battery charge in exchange for a…
