district court
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Colorado’s federal trial court proposes ban on ‘smart glasses’
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Colorado’s U.S. District Court is considering prohibiting people from bringing “smart glasses” that could be used as recording devices into the courthouse. The court announced the proposal along with other changes as part of the latest round of amendments to its local rules — the general operating procedures for the trial court. One suggestion, submitted…
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Judges speak about mentorship and bench trials, federal court revises jury selection protocol | COURT CRAWL
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Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics’ roundup of news from the third branch of government. Colorado’s judges spoke to lawyers about mentorship and how to approach bench trials, plus the federal trial court made revisions to its plan for randomly selecting jurors across the state. Heard on appeal • The Colorado Supreme Court will decide whether…
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‘Jury of one’: Federal judge speaks about how to handle non-jury trials
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In 2023 and 2024, Colorado’s federal district court saw a total of approximately 100 cases end in a trial. Most of the civil and criminal cases were resolved through a jury trial, but a smaller number took place through bench trials, meaning a judge rendered the ultimate decision. “What are the judges looking for? They’re…
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Colorado Senate committee advances bill to create 29 judgeships, with lawmaker support delicate
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The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill to establish 29 new Colorado judgeships by a vote of 6-1 on Wednesday, with supporters and opponents both cautioning that their positions could change based on the availability of money. The committee heard testimony from numerous witnesses in support of the bill, including from sitting judges. Chief Justice…
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‘On the verge of a renaissance’: Colorado’s chief magistrate judge encourages use of settlement conferences
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Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty told an audience of lawyers on Wednesday that despite his status as the most prolific settler of cases on Colorado’s federal trial court, his upcoming retirement should not be cause for concern that settlements will diminish. “I fully believe there are many cases that should be tried to…
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115 judges receive favorable recommendations for retention, 1 judge receives thumbs down
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Of the 116 judges and justices who are standing for retention this year, citizen-led performance commissions found the vast majority meets performance standards, with only one county court judge failing to get her commission’s approval. Each of Colorado’s 22 judicial districts has a commission of attorneys and non-attorneys who review survey responses from those who appear before…
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Colorado Supreme Court recognizes defendants may appeal magistrates’ probable cause rulings
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Addressing an issue never previously decided, the Colorado Supreme Court clarified on Monday that criminal defendants do have the right to appeal a magistrate’s decision that probable cause exists to hold a trial on the charged offenses. Colorado law provides for preliminary hearings, whose purpose is to screen out cases where prosecutors do not have probable…
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Colorado Supreme Court recognizes defendants may appeal magistrates’ probable cause rulings
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Addressing an issue never previously decided, the Colorado Supreme Court clarified on Monday that criminal defendants do have the right to appeal a magistrate’s decision that probable cause exists to hold a trial on the charged offenses. Colorado law provides for preliminary hearings, whose purpose is to screen out cases where prosecutors do not have probable…
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Colorado Supreme Court recognizes defendants may appeal magistrates’ probable cause rulings
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Addressing an issue never previously decided, the Colorado Supreme Court clarified on Monday that criminal defendants do have the right to appeal a magistrate’s decision that probable cause exists to hold a trial on the charged offenses. Colorado law provides for preliminary hearings, whose purpose is to screen out cases where prosecutors do not have probable…
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2 federal judges provide rare glimpse into lawyers’ reviews of their performance
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Two of Colorado’s federal judges on Thursday provided a rare behind-the-scenes look at the performance reviews attorneys have given them, including those that are less-than-flattering. “He looks embarrassing on the bench. Disheveled, disinterested and unprepared,” wrote one lawyer. “Disheveled?” said the target of the review, U.S. Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter. “Sometimes I ride my…
