charlotte sweeney
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Second federal judge in Colorado adopts plain English summaries in decisions
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A second federal judge in Colorado appears to have adopted the practice of summarizing her decisions in plain English for people who represent themselves before the court. U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney, a 2022 appointee of President Joe Biden, recently issued multiple written orders in cases where the plaintiffs are “pro se,” meaning…
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Judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit from acquitted man against Denver officers
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A federal judge on Wednesday decided a man acquitted of murder by a Denver jury may sue the officers involved in the investigation for violating his rights, after they allegedly concealed information and failed to perform an adequate investigation. Although Micah Kimball claimed five law enforcement officers infringed on his Fourth Amendment right to be…
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Judge says Denver may be held liable for failing to train officer who punched man in wheelchair
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A federal judge last week declined to dismiss the City and County of Denver from an excessive force lawsuit, finding the plaintiff credibly alleged the government’s failure to train its deputies was the cause of his injuries. Video footage from 2019 captured sheriff’s Deputy Jason Gentempo punching Serafin Finn multiple times and shoving Finn, who was…
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Judge dismisses lawsuit against Elbert County sheriff for employee’s alleged misconduct
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A federal judge on Thursday decided Elbert County Sheriff Tim Norton cannot be held liable for an employee’s alleged excessive force and wrongful arrest of a Parker woman, in violation of departmental policy. Tori Plentyhoops filed suit in October against Norton and Sgt. Jonathan Rolff, stemming from a 2021 encounter that resulted in Plentyhoops’ arrest.…
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Judge refuses to toss voter intimidation claims against election-skeptic group’s founders
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A federal judge has refused to throw out claims of voter intimidation brought against the founders of a Colorado organization that believes the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent. On Jan. 31, U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney agreed it is a matter to be decided at trial whether Shawn Smith, Ashely Epp and Holly Kasun…
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Judge tosses election-skeptic group’s claims against voting rights organizations
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A federal judge has thrown out the claims of a Colorado group that falsely believes the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent and accused multiple voting rights organizations of defaming its members. Earlier this year, three civic organizations whose missions include voter registration and education sued the U.S. Election Integrity Plan, which is not affiliated with…
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Judge rejects disability-related challenge to man’s mental health commitment
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Federal courts are not the place to hear a man’s challenge to his mental health commitment under a pair of disability discrimination laws, a judge ruled earlier this month. Jesse Dillon Kirchner has been committed to the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo for years after serving an initial prison sentence. He pleaded guilty in…
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Judge throws out political signage dispute from Elizabeth recall election
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A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from a former elected official in Elizabeth who alleged town leaders violated his rights when a police officer removed several of his signs for failing to comply with the municipal code. Jason Weiss, a former member of the town’s board of trustees, ran against then-Mayor Megan Vasquez in…
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Judge tosses lawsuit against Colorado treasurer over unclaimed property program
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A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by two Colorado residents against Treasurer Dave Young that alleged the state is failing to provide adequate notice to potential owners of unclaimed property totaling roughly $1 billion. Although plaintiffs David Knellinger and Robert Storey filed a proposed class action lawsuit, which would cover an estimated 1.6 million people…
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Judge tosses retaliation lawsuit against Jeffco sanitation district
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A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit against a Jefferson County special district by its former lawyer, who alleged the elected officials retaliated against her when she tried to warn the public about their malfeasance. Mary Joanne “Jo” Deziel Timmins was general and litigation counsel for the Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District between February…
