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.”

In this episode of Criminal INjustice, Trial Attorney Casey Krizman interviews Immigration Attorney Andrew Younkins. They cover a lot of ground, including what people concerned about getting caught in the ICE dragnet should do.

Key point: Immigrants who have attorneys are many times more likely to win their right to stay in the country and to be released from ICE prison. Unfortunately, very few people caught in the ICE dragnet have access to lawyers and often spend months in ICE prison waiting for their day in immigration court.

People concerned about the issue of immigrant rights may donate money or time to these organizations:

Colorado Immigrant Justice Fund, a pool of donated money used to pay for legal representation for immigrants.

Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, which provides low-cost or no-cost legal representation to immigrants.

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, a umbrella organization for groups working on immigrant rights across the state. They also provide training and preparedness documents.

People concerned about getting stopped by authorities and questioned about immigrant status should carry a “Red Card / Tarjetas Rojas,” which lists what to do and your rights in these situations. The card is available several places online, including here.

Andrew Younkins can be reached at 720-310-5162, 14261 E. Fourth Ave., Suite 6-307, aly-law.com.

In his debut podcast, Criminal Defense Attorney Casey Krizman starts with the basics: Control that which you can control. People caught up in the criminal INjustice system feel overwhelmed and helpless. Casey advises his clients to start gaining control step-by-step -- starting with taking care of yourself physically and mentally.

In Episode 1, Casey talks with Oliver Vaughn of REVO Physiotherapy and Sports Performance. Oliver is a body worker – someone who uses massage and physical training to help people of all walks of life improve their breathing and conditioning, leading to overall wellbeing.

While physical wellbeing and criminal injustice may not seem entwined, the fact is when your life is turned upside down, find something you can control and that no one can take away from you. It can be a game-changer to get you through a traumatic experience.

Resources mentioned in the show:

Whealth -- Online resource for exercise to relieve back pain.

Kneesovertoesguy -- YouTube videos of accessible exercise routines