Criminal Defense Attorney Casey Krizman says Gov. Jared Polis gives weak reasons for vetoing HB 1147. The bill that would rein in municipal courts that have run amok ensures that sentences handed down in those courts are equal across the state. But Polis relies on phony reasoning put forth by city councils that want to criminalize poverty. Rather than address the root causes of homelessness, they are setting ridiculously high sentences for petty theft and trespassing. Crimes that the state says are punishable by 10 days in jail are getting 365 days in jail in some municipalities (looking at you, Aurora).

Host Casey Krizman interviews Representative Javier Mabrey about House Bill 1147, which addresses Colorado's inconsistent municipal court system. Mabrey explains how location determines sentencing severity, with poverty-related offenses receiving harsher penalties depending on jurisdiction. The bill aims to standardize sentencing guidelines and protect due process rights for all Coloradans. Mabrey, raised in poverty and now an eviction attorney, continues fighting for economic justice and criminal system reform.

Show notes:

Write to support HB 1147, the Fairness & Transparency in Municipal Courts Act, at: GovernorPolis@state.co.us

Javier Mabrey's organization to fight for economic justice is the Community Economic Defense Project, https://cedproject.org/

#CriminalJusticeReform #ColoradoLaw #SentencingReform #DueProcess

Veteran defense attorney Mary Claire Mulligan says the state Legislature should shut down the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and “rebuild from scratch.” The lab where crime evidence has been mishandled for more than 10 years has not responded adequately to the scandal and lawmakers have not done enough to rectify the problems it created, Mulligan said in an interview on the podcast “Criminal INjustice with Casey Krizman.”

Mulligan, who has been a defense attorney for 33 years, said the state should take these steps:

• Shut down CBI completely and rebuild from scratch.
• Demand complete transparency and access to all CBI data.
• Appoint a special master to oversee case reviews.
• Fund post-conviction attorneys to handle affected cases.
• Urge state lawmakers to hold CBI accountable.

For those who believe their cases may have been affected, Mulligan recommends:

• Contacting their original lawyer or another criminal defense attorney.
• Filing a Form 4 (Petition for Post-Conviction Relief) with the court.
• Contacting the public defender system and the alternate defense counsel, letting them know of your situation because “the squeaky wheel gets the grease here.”