Tag: Justice William Hood
-
Colorado justices clarify procedure for defendants to access DNA analyst’s criminal file
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled on Monday that trial judges may order Jefferson County prosecutors to disclose information related to the criminal prosecution of a DNA analyst accused of misconduct, but defendants seeking those files cannot rely on the order alone to gain access. Yvonne “Missy” Woods is a former Colorado Bureau of Investigation DNA…
-
Colorado justices splinter over approach to sentencing review
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court were divided on Monday about whether vehicular homicide stemming from intoxicated driving is “grave and serious” in every possible scenario, with two justices suggesting the court reconfigure its approach for determining the proportionality of criminal sentences. The Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment means sentences cannot be…
-
Colorado justices ponder ‘gotcha’ for defendant after messy process impacted mental health evidence
Some members of the Colorado Supreme Court were uncomfortable last week with letting a defendant’s murder conviction stand after a series of missteps resulted in a trial judge blocking jurors from hearing an expert’s assessment of the defendant’s mental health. Although the details were complicated, the legal issue was more streamlined: State law requires defendants…
-
Colorado justices skeptical that Colorado Springs is immune to crash caused by faulty signal
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court seemed doubtful on Wednesday that the city of Colorado Springs cannot be sued over a collision that occurred as a result of traffic lights that were functioning normally in one direction, but were inoperative in the perpendicular direction. Construction was occurring at the intersection of South Tejon Street and…
-
Colorado justices weigh disclosure requirements for ballot initiative spending
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court considered on Tuesday whether an organization that spent $4 million to advocate for ballot initiatives in the 2020 election was required to disclose its donors and spending. The organization, Unite for Colorado, advanced a straightforward argument: It spent 10% or less of its money on a single ballot measure.…
-
Colorado Supreme Court ponders when negative online reviews are insulated from lawsuits
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Members of the Colorado Supreme Court considered last week whether a person’s vindictive motivations in posting a negative online review can nevertheless relate to a matter of public interest, and potentially shield the commentary from a defamation lawsuit. For the first time, the state’s highest…
-
Colorado Supreme Court rules police-guided text messages from victim’s father did not coerce defendant
‘An officer’s repeated exhortations for a suspect to be honest don’t necessarily overbear a defendant’s free will,’ wrote Justice William Hood
-
Appeals judges give Colorado lawyers inside view of courts | APPELLATE UPDATE
‘We’re not there to make you look foolish. We’re really just trying to have a dialogue,’ said Justice William Hood
-
Colorado Supreme Court approves new rules for child welfare cases, with tweaks to jury trial right
The justices recently heard multiple cases asking when parents surrender their right to a child neglect jury trial, and the new rules indicate their thinking about some of those issues
-
Colorado Supreme Court rejects attempt to blur lines in construction industry lawsuit
The justices explained that breach of contract claims are distinct from negligence claims, and that distinction is particularly important to the construction industry