Tag: Jaclyn Casey Brown
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Appeals court clarifies defendants’ ability to access officers’ personnel files
Colorado’s second-highest court has clarified that criminal defendants are not automatically entitled to have a trial judge review and possibly release a police officer’s personnel file, but instead must show the request is factually relevant and not a “general fishing expedition.” Last month, the state’s Court of Appeals determined a La Plata County judge acted…
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State Supreme Court explores role of shifting explanations in race-based juror dismissals
Over 30 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that purposeful racial discrimination in jury selection is unconstitutional, requiring prosecutors to now cite a “race-neutral reason” if a defendant challenges their decision to remove a juror of color. This week, the Colorado Supreme Court considered a narrow question implicating that protocol: If an appeals court…
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Appeals court finds Arapahoe judge mistakenly allowed man to represent self at trial
Colorado’s second-highest court has determined an Arapahoe County judge wrongfully found a defendant had waived his constitutional right to an attorney when she failed to establish Jahmal Ali Price understood the consequences of proceeding to trial without legal representation. Although the Sixth Amendment guarantees criminal defendants the right to counsel, it is possible for defendants…