Second Regular Session | 74th General Assembly
Colorado General AssemblyThis memorandum provides information concerning second look sentencing. Second look sentencing refers to sentence modification that occurs while an offender is serving his or her term of incarceration. This memorandum briefly describes second look sentencing and discusses the differences...
This memorandum provides an overview of the mandatory minimum sentencing schemes in Colorado law. It provides information on the general categories of offenses subject to enhanced prison sentences and specific crimes that require a mandatory minimum sentence. Three years of sentencing data are...
What can a person do if he or she feels that an attorney or judge in a legal matter acted unprofessionally? In Colorado, there are formal complaint processes to review the conduct of attorneys and judges and to administer discipline when warranted. Additionally, voters can choose whether to...
This memorandum provides an overview of state laws that address age of consent for sexual activity. More specifically, it provides information about the age of sexual consent in Colorado and other states, including exemptions that allow a person below the age of consent to have lawful sex with...
During the 2017 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to judicial performance, state and local court administration, court proceedings involving juveniles, evidence and court procedures, and records sealing. This document summarizes the legislation.
During the 2018 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly considered measures related to civil law. Specifically, the legislature considered bills regarding civil protections, the statute of limitations for domestic violence offenses, immunity, jurisdiction, and liability.
During the 2018 legislative session, the General Assembly introduced numerous bills concerning crimes,criminal penalties, and law enforcement.
The Colorado Constitution allows voters to decide whether justices and judges stay on the bench after they have been appointed and have had time to establish a judicial record by serving an initial term. Some form of this process, otherwise known as the merit selection and retention of justices...
This memorandum provides an overview of how post-conviction sex offender polygraph testing (PCSOT) is used for adult sex offenders in Colorado, as well as in other states. It also includes a summary of current research on its effectiveness.
A statute of limitations is a law that specifies the maximum length of time allowed for a victim or prosecutor to initiate legal proceedings. Such a statute may apply in either criminal or civil cases. This issue brief provides an overview of criminal statutes of limitations, including...
Gravity and switchblade knives, which were originally popularized by classic movies such as West Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause, are considered illegal weapons in Colorado. Possessing such a weapon could result in a fine or jail time, or both. This issue brief...
This memorandum provides an overview of jury duty for criminal trials in Colorado, including how jurors are summoned, excused, selected, paid, and impaneled. Jury deliberations, instructions, and verdicts are also covered.
This issue brief provides an overview of extreme risk protection orders, including what they are, how they are used, and how Colorado's proposed law compares to other states. It also addresses other types of protection orders authorized in Colorado law.
During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly examined a number of measures related to civil law. Specifically, the legislature considered bills regarding consumer fraud, internet privacy, free-speech lawsuits, damages, child hearsay exceptions, and equal pay.
This issue brief provides an overview of state laws related to pet animal facilities. These facilities are licensed and regulated under the Colorado Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA).
During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a number of measures related to estate documents, public guardians, and trusts.
Summary report for the Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning the Treatment of Persons with Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System.
Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Treatment of Persons With Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System Committee.
This memorandum provides an overview of statutes of limitations, including factors that impact length, such as statutes of repose and tolling. The memorandum also includes tables listing the various criminal and civil statutes of limitations and statutes of repose in the state.
This memorandum provides a listing of criminal justice reform bills passed in Colorado over the past several years. More specifically, the attached table provides the bill number, title, and description of the criminal justice reform legislation, organized by category (i.e., bail, juvenile,...
This memorandum addresses abuse of corpse laws in the 50 states. While the vast majority of states have enacted abuse of corpse or other related laws, they differ in definition and crime classification. For example, some states outline penalties for mutilating or defacing a corpse, while...
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted almost every aspect of society, including the criminal justice system, leaving crowded courts, prisons and jails especially susceptible to the outbreak. This memorandum provides an overview of how the juvenile justice system in Colorado is handling this...
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted almost every aspect of society, including the criminal justice system, leaving crowded courts, prisons and jails especially susceptible to the outbreak. This memorandum provides an overview of how courts in Colorado are handling this public health emergency. ...
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted almost every aspect of society, including the criminal justice system, leaving crowded courts, prisons, and jails especially susceptible to the outbreak. This memorandum provides an overview of how prisons in Colorado are reacting to this public health...
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted almost every aspect of society, including the criminal justice system, leaving crowded courts, prisons and jails especially susceptible to the outbreak. This memorandum provides an overview of how Community Corrections is handling this public health emergency...