Second Regular Session | 74th General Assembly
Colorado General AssemblyThis issue brief discusses the various offenses related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Colorado, and their associated criminal and administrative penalties.
Prior to being discharged from the state criminal justice system, adult offenders are released from prison for a period of parole. This issue brief summarizes recent state adult parole initiatives. These include the offender reentry programs authorized in House Bill 14-1355, and the “...
According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2015 Colorado ranked 21st in the nation for the number of identity theft victims, with 123.2 victims per 100,000 population. Identity theft is generally defined as the unlawful use of personal identifying or financial information of another person to...
State legislatures have emphasized the importance of collecting deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to solve crimes. This issue brief describes legislative efforts, both in Colorado and across the country, to mandate that individuals convicted of or arrested for a crime submit a DNA sample for entry...
Juvenile justice systems were created in the late 19th century under the philosophy that juveniles are different than adults and may have different rehabilitation needs. Colorado has two separate systems for the detention or commitment of juveniles convicted of crimes. One system exists within...
This issue brief outlines Colorado's efforts to address issues associated with persons with mental illness in the criminal justice system.
The U.S. Constitution guarantees each citizen the right to a fair trial, which includes the right to be present at the trial, able to understand the nature of the proceedings, and able to participate in his or her defense. Whether the defendant’s mental health impaired his or her ability to...
This issue brief provides an overview of how the justice system treats juveniles found guilty of a crime in Colorado. It discusses juvenile problem solving courts; detention and commitment; the facilities where juveniles are housed; the programs and services available; requirements for...
Recent federal policy changes have increased public awareness of asset forfeiture, a process through which a law enforcement agency can seize property that may have been involved in a criminal action.
Colorado law imposes standards on, and grants certain responsibilities to, persons considered peace officers, including the authority to enforce Colorado law. This issue brief provides information on training and certification of peace officers, reserve officers, and the process for...
The rise in distracted driving, often associated with ever-present smart phones and mobile devices, has been identified as a cause and contributing factor to automobile crashes. This issue brief gives an overview of state and federal regulations on the issue.
Recent federal policy changes have increased public awareness of asset forfeiture, a process through which a law enforcement agency can seize property that may have been involved in a criminal action. While federal policy affects federal seizures in the state, Colorado law governs how state and...
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...
According to the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC), between 2012 to 2017, the number of inmates who had moderate to severe mental health needs increased by 7 percent. Additionally, a steep increase in court-ordered competency evaluations and restorative treatments has caused a shortage...
Community corrections programs serve as an alternative to prison or as a transition for individuals in prison to reenter society. This issue brief provides a general overview of community corrections.
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.
This issue brief outlines the commutation and pardon authority of the Governor and state legislature in Colorado. It provides an overview of the application process to seek clemency for a crime, and data on the number of pardons and commutations since 2017.
Crime victim support services and programs have been funded by federal and state governments since the 1980s. In recent years, the revenue stream for these services has decreased significantly. This issue brief provides background on victim compensation and victim assistance funding and...