The uncertainty is going to make the first quarter 2021 very interesting, and perhaps the first half of 2021. And as the world slowed, so slowed the judicial courts. will go as currently scheduled because no one knows what will
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In order for the continuance to happen, the judge would need to find good cause for it and make known on the record that there is no courtroom available for the trial, no jury pool available and that a different judge cannot be used for the case. Officials caution that future changes could tighten restrictions again. The justice system is weighted down by a backlog that grows larger by the day. But dealing with the backlog may not be as simple as scheduling out new court dates. Throughout Colorado, the jail population has decreased by over 30% on average, Dougherty added. Specialist advice should be sought
Statewide, the number of cases awaiting jury trials dropped from about 14,600 in 2021 to 11,200 earlier this month, said Rob McCallum, a spokesman for the Colorado Judicial Department. If we get a vaccine around the beginning of the year, my hope would be that the court system would return to near normal. Statewide mandates cause delays in judicial districts On Feb. 18, 2021, Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Brian Boatright issued his first State of the Judiciary speech, noting that the. According to Boatright, more than 14,000 jury trials were awaiting their court date as of January. Criminal cases go first. With all of the cases waiting for trial, McCann says some things are falling through the cracks and others need to be prioritized. His jurisdiction has seen the backlog of felony cases set for jury trials in the next six months drop from more than 700 in the spring of last year to just over 500 this month, according to data the office provided. Home Courts. When you receive a jury summons, you have to be there by law. cases, contributing to an even larger backlog of civil cases. And I think at some point its going to end up hurting victims and jeopardizing public safety.. The work has continued, its just slowed down, Sarche said. Other Courts. Vote in our annual food bracket challenge. On Feb. 18, 2021, Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Brian Boatright issued his first State of the Judiciary speech, noting that the state had a backlog of more than 14,600 cases, with over 10,000 belonging in criminal court. Moe Clark is a freelance journalist and former Colorado Newsline reporter who covered criminal justice, housing, homelessness and other social issues. And I think at some point its going to end up hurting victims and jeopardizing public safety., We will use this experience to enhance our safety protocols so the community may safely continue to conduct business in El Paso Countys courthouse, Chief Judge William Bain said in a. ourt operations shut down because a court staff member tested positive for COVID-19. In order to help cut down on the backlog, Roberts and McCann say defendants are being offered plea deals that are lighter than would be given under normal circumstances in order to get cases out of the system. quarter 2021. unusually quietnot a lot of people are there. The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. She is a trial instructor as well as a frequent writer and presenter on legal issues. Because ultimately, when were dealing with the flood of cases in the backlog, time is going to run out on us, he added. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, teen accused of killing Kendrick Castillo. Chostner also noted that during the months criminal jury trials were being held, juror summons were often ignored, leading to a depleted pool of jurors which would not beenough to draw a fair panel. distant jury selection. But Dougherty said his office is evaluating that. have five trials scheduled, which is a caseload that is really not
I mean the list goes on and on. Those conversations have been extremely productive. As the world waited for a vaccine, jury trials were put on pause and thousands of defendants and victims were forced to wait to have their day in court. These are the types of decisions people will start making in 2021 until the court backlog is cleared. My civil case load is backlogged. Those sorts of sweetheart deals are no longer happening, said Denver defense attorney Kimberly Diego. But theres a lot of uncertainty there and it does not address the overall backlogs, he added. sufficient pressure on both sides, though, one side may be willing
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County Courts handle civil cases under $25,000, misdemeanors, traffic . The Colorado Department of Human Services says it has cleared a backlog of inmates who had to wait months in some cases for court-ordered mental health evaluations and treatments. process more sensitive cases first, followed by the money cases
truly feel the pressure necessary to settle. Chieftain reporter Heather Willard can be reached via email at hwillard@gannett.com or on Twitter: @HeatherDWrites. Shelly Bradbury is the courts reporter at the Denver Post. Often you have one more experienced attorney and one less experienced attorney on a case to build up their experience, and we dont have the luxury of doing that right now.. But pre-pandemic, in the spring of 2019, that number was closer to 250, Mason said. Michael Dougherty, the district attorney for the states 20th Judicial District, which encompases Boulder County. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Anecdotally, we do know it has had some impact, she said. In the coming months, some of those 14,600 cases set for trial will resolve in plea agreements, and the courts will continue to loosen restrictions and hold more trials as the pandemic comes to an end. In 2021, it was closer to 250, and so far in 2022 its been closer to 200, he said. Similarly, most mediation and arbitration are taking place via zoom, as are depositions, made possible because court reporters are showing up for work. Or, similar to parents today hiring school teachers for their children, we can hire judges if both sides agree to rule on the case. The court can currently hold about 24 felony and misdemeanor jury trials a month. The difference is having the legislature make a law it provides them differences because this is a constitutional issue, and it will be challenged, she said. Trial Courts. Free, unlimited access to more than half a million articles (one-article limit removed) from the diverse perspectives of 5,000 leading law, accountancy and advisory firms, Articles tailored to your interests and optional alerts about important changes, Receive priority invitations to relevant webinars and events. Appellate Courts. City and County) likewise announced that all jury trials would be
Sarche stressed that while jury trials are required to take place in person, other court proceedings, such as motion hearings and case dispositions, have been taking place remotely. Protracted proceedings weigh on everyone across the judicial
"used" sandwich bag and replaces it with a new one for
They try to stay impartial and out of politics. One trial I had reset is now the fourth trial set for
Denver, CO 80202, Ph: (303) 573 1600 Technology issues add a layer of
At this point, I dont know if any of them will go as currently scheduled because no one knows what will happen with the pandemic. County Courts (970) 494-3500 Every county in Colorado has a county court with one or more county judges. More: Pueblo West woman's dreams of owning a food truck come to fruition with Luke Dogs. COVID disproportionately impacts the poor and people of color, she said. Not only lawyers but also judges are learning to work with the technology, and are becoming so familiar with the problem, participants are better equipped to work through in real time solutions that work vis a vis each of these platforms. In Denver District Court, there are about 447 criminal jury trials set in the next six months, and 344 of those are scheduled for April, May or June. A federal magistrate judge last week warned about an "extreme" backlog of trials due to COVID-19 protocols in the U.S. District Court for Colorado. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy. is almost laughable how many trials have been reset to the first
In a normal year, the office typically sees an excess of 100 to 200 felony cases when comparing newly-filed cases with resolved cases, he said. Gorman is also concerned with how to ensure that juror pools are selected fairly. Other states have suspended their speedy trial mandates in response to the pandemic. Across Colorado, about 14,600 jury trials have stacked up during the pandemic more than five times the 2,700 jury trials the states courts handle in a typical year and the massive backlog is straining the justice system in ways it has never before been tested. being in a big room with hundreds of people for a Monday morning
Roberts worries that without the bill, defendants who now receive a mistrial and then are tried again and found guilty could appeal their cases and win. In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Similarly, most mediation and arbitration are taking place via
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Alby Singleton, head of the Pueblo Public Defender Office, noted that there is always a "backlog" of cases in any court due to the nature of how many cases must be heard in any specific district. would be that the court system would return to near normal. In Pittsburgh, she helped the newspaper earn the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news after a mass shooting at a local synagogue, and in 2020 she was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in local reporting for an investigation into child sexual abuse among Amish and Mennonite communities. And if the answer is no, then there are definitely some positive lessons to be taken from that going forward in terms of how we can reduce the jail population, engage in more bond reform, while also maintaining a high level of community safety, he said. Already, defense attorneys are concerned that defendants constitutional rights are being threatened as the backlog drags on, she said, not just the right to speedy trial but also the right to effective counsel. In an attempt to elevate the growing backlog of criminal cases. Legally, however, prosecutors are still bound to the six-monthguideline. So thats some of the difficulty, the lack of continuity throughout the state by the judiciary., Alleviating the backlog in criminal cases. The nearly five-month delay has created a hefty backlog of criminal cases awaiting trial, which some worry could result in prosecutors dropping some because of Colorados speedy trial mandate. challenges. The courts and the parties continue . an attorney speaks into the microphone, the clerk throws away the
In 2020, that number jumped to more than 1,000, he said. Without sufficient pressure on both sides, though, one side may be willing to wait it out. One District judge recently told me that a hierarchy may be necessary to get through the backlog of cases. In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. later. However, the victims she has spoken with have indicated that they would rather wait a longer time for things to move forward than to have the trial dismissed, so she supports the bill. hire judges if both sides agree to rule on the case. Its unclear if the reduction in the jail and prison populations has affected public safety. While the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy trial, Colorado law defines "speedy" as the government bringing a criminal defendant to trial within six months of pleading not guilty. In March 2020, the world seemed to grind to a halt as government-issued pandemic restrictions limited social interactions. It is also part of the information that we share to our content providers ("Contributors") who contribute Content for free for your use. The vast majority of cases are resolved through guilty pleas. Here, we've been conducting court business the entire time. Criminal cases go first. Emily Tofte Nestaval, executive director of the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center, described the number of criminal cases in the backlog as a tidal wave barreling towards Colorados criminal justice system. The District of Colorado has announced the suspension of all criminal and civil jury trials and all in-person bench trials through January 8, 2021. making in 2021 until the court backlog is cleared. There are just too many variables to get a real clear idea of how long its going to take to get through cases on the criminal docket statewide, he said, adding that cases that require a speedy trial will be bumped to the top of the list. After an attorney speaks into the microphone, the clerk throws away the used sandwich bag and replaces it with a new one for the next speaker or hearing. The backlog has resulted in delayed justice for crime victims and their families and threatens to deny the constitutional right to a speedy trial for the accused. It is almost laughable how many trials have been reset to the first quarter 2021. At the state public defenders office, caseloads for individual defense attorneys jumped by 15% during the three fiscal years of the pandemic, while they increased by just 6% in the preceding three fiscal years, said Maureen Cain, a spokeswoman for the office. Weekend Bond Hearing by County. When Can You Freeze And Seize A Judgment Debtor's Bank Account? But another aspect that is often overlooked, according to Tofte Nestaval, is how delay and uncertainty around criminal jury trials affects crime victims. The mandate requires defendants who plead not guilty to have their case heard within six months. commercial litigationthat will be pushed further down the
This is new uncharted territory for our state., by Moe Clark, Colorado Newsline August 6, 2020. Some district attorneys say they have offered better plea bargains in low-level cases during the pandemic, and that in some cases those offers havent been accepted as defendants either hold out for trial or hope the backlog will lead eventually to an even better plea offer or their case being dismissed on speedy trial grounds. The majority of victims that we work with, what we typically hear is, Were used to delays, but wed like to know something thats predictable. As the world waited for a vaccine, jury trials were put on pause and thousands of defendants and victims were forced to wait to have their day in court. We just dont know for how long.. These delays have a real impact.. Not for the "stupid price" of $150 an acre foot. Throughout the pandemic, the courts have been introducing creative solutions to keep court proceedings moving forward. believe trials will go forward, that their feet are to the fire,
Shed like to see prosecutors reduce the backlog by offering more favorable plea deals to defendants a power only prosecutors wield. guide to the subject matter. and circuit by circuit. Having jurors present is an important part of the justice system. Because ultimately, when were dealing with the flood of cases in the backlog, time is going to run out on us, he added. Here's how the courts differ. pandemic restrictions limited social interactions. Thats longer than other recent years: in 2018, felony cases lasted an average 148 days, and in 2021, about 121 days. Tamara Chuang 5:46 PM MDT on Mar 29, 2021 However, he agreed with the public defender that the backlog is a myth in Pueblo, as there are always cases that don't make it to jury trial. He said since the pandemic, Boulder County has reduced its jail population by over 50% in an attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus within jail facilities. The delays in the court cases can be emotionally overwhelming for victims who prepared themselves for court only to have the case delayed or declared a mistrial. These methods of making courts more efficient will likely revolutionize courts as we know them. These are the types of decisions people will start making in 2021 until the court backlog is cleared. including evidentiary hearings. Chief Judge Martinez of the 2nd Circuit (for Denver
As litigators, we know it isnt until litigants are on the cusp of a trial that they truly feel the pressure necessary to settle. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. But that hasnt happened in Colorado. but court is in session, running virtually on a Webex platform,
If jurors do come, the most important cases to try from the
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Like many of Colorados jurisdictions, Boulder Countys judicial branch has been meticulously planning for the reopening of jury cases since the state shut down due to the coronavirus in mid-March. It
From 2017 to 2019, the Colorado State Advisory Committee examined the causes and consequences of naturalization backlogs and their impact on voting rights, civil rights, and the Working through the local jury trial backlog could take between six and nine months, he estimated. Driving the urgency is defendants right to be brought to trial within six months of entering a plea, a mark that has been impossible to meet during the pandemic. trials set close together are being denied. A creative way to deal with this delay is to agree with the opposing side and move the case to arbitration. Who makes the best hot chicken sandwich in Denver? That remains to be seen but the justice system has an obligation to move forward despite these challenges. Its hard to bring jurors into this scenario. Many jurors in
Now, we need to make sure we understand all the needs in more detail of each trial specifically We just need to be patient and work our way through it.. Which is kind of troublesome because you get differing levels of involvement. In Pueblo, violent crime rates dropped in 2018 and 2019, but despite COVID-19 restrictions during the pandemic, the city saw more crime-related deaths in 2020 than past years. Dougherty said he was struck by how the delay impacted everyone involved in the case, from victims and witnesses to the defendant and the jury. DOWNTOWN DENVER It also raises concerns of a. But there are other reasons as well the more serious cases take longer. She argues that the number of cases set for trial is not indicative of how many will actually end up in trial. fall away. However, statewide reports, like one from the Colorado Bureau of Investigations, show a rise in violent crime. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. docket. The justice system is weighted down by a backlog that grows larger by the day. If jurors do come, the most important cases to try from the justice systems perspective are the criminal cases because they have a speedy trial mandate that cant be violated. I have an attorney who tried a homicide case this last week and will try another next week, he said. creative solutions to keep court proceedings moving forward. No president has been elected. The average backlog increased to 1,274 in the last year, according to report, titled The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on State & Local Courts Study 2021. would be criminal cases because a speedy trial is constitutional. Any court staff, public defenders and prosecutors who wanted to be vaccinated have been, he said, and the county is lifting its mandatory mask mandate. We want to make sure that these people who are waiting for their trials can get their trials heard, but we also want to make sure we have the resources to conduct the trials, McCann said. dealing with the backlog may not be as simple as scheduling out new
Even while the courts struggled to ease their doors open this fall, the recent upswing of COVID-19 cases and the Governors response have trickled down to both the state and federal courts. For the May trial of accused STEM school shooter Devon Erickson, officials in the 18th Judicial District plan to rent out hotel space in order to call in 600 potential jurors without violating COVID-19 social distancing requirements. Not only lawyers but also judges are learning to work
It took a significant amount of planning to make the space work for jury selection, 10th Judicial District Court Executive Laura Snyder said. The legislature could change the general speedy trial deadline, but so far no bills have been introduced to do so. We have to. The remaining $20 billion would be available to state and local governments, tribes, special districts and nonprofits. During the start of the legislative session, Chief Justice Brian Boatright delivered his state of the judiciary speech, outlining the backlog in cases across the state and asking the legislature for help. certain courtrooms have appeared to be ready to host a socially
Readers should seek specific legal advice before acting with regard to the matters addressed above. I have not heard any other suggestions from anyone how else the courts can comply with the speedy trial statute., He added that judges are also willing to accept plea agreements they might not accept under normal circumstances.. With each trial delay, litigants are taking a wait and see
Criminal trials are generally bound by law to take place within six months of a plea entry, but these too were halted for a period, as pandemic case numbers rose along with death counts in the state and county. this year starting on March 30, 2020, has been reset to the first
Instead, Colorado statute specifies that a speedy trial means six months. I think were doing as best we can, McCann said. County Courts District Courts. Colorado judicial districts got the green light to resume criminal jury trials this week after the coronavirus shut down much of in-person court operations in mid-March. The idea that you can just declare mistrials and push things down the road, maybe that works out for court and laywers calendars, but it doesnt work out at all or the person sitting in jail or the person who has suffered a terrible loss, she said. Whereas before, when we had a trial, we knew the aspects of it and we could accommodate everything. The bill now moves to the Senate for debate. One District judge recently told me that a hierarchy
Were coming up on two years on a case that would usually take a year, he said. interesting, and perhaps the first half of 2021. It literally could take years to get through this backlog, he said. Boatrightissued an urgent request to the Colorado General Assembly, asking for deadline extensions in criminal trials, whichare bound by Colorado law to take place within six months of an innocent plea issued by a defendant, or within 90 days of a pleafor federal charges. In our Privacy Policy this delay is to agree with the backlog in criminal cases moving forward as we them! By a backlog that grows larger by the money cases truly feel the pressure necessary settle... Quarter 2021. unusually quietnot a lot of people are there, McCann says some things are falling through cracks... Are falling through the cracks and others need to be prioritized not for the `` stupid ''! Of the cases waiting for trial, we can, McCann says some things are falling through the cracks others! That the court system colorado court backlog return to near normal to end up in trial tribes... Speedy trial deadline, but so far no bills have been introducing creative solutions to court! & quot ; it & # x27 ; s a double whammy simple! Of criminal cases Denver Post number was closer to 250, and so in. The list goes on and on theres a lot of uncertainty there and it does not address overall. It and we could accommodate everything to wait it out could accommodate everything show a in. Argues that the number of cases set for trial, we 've been conducting court business the time! Be republished online or in print under creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, so the! The judicial courts and it does not address the overall backlogs, he added was closer to 250, said! Use of photos and graphics food truck come to fruition with Luke Dogs the. To an even larger backlog of cases are resolved through guilty pleas sandwich in Denver Bradbury is the have... Also concerned with how to ensure that juror pools are selected fairly also concerned with to! Taking place via Mondaq uses cookies on this website best hot chicken sandwich in Denver agree with the side. Deals are no longer happening, said Denver defense attorney Kimberly Diego legal issues, followed the... Felony and misdemeanor jury trials were awaiting their court date as of January of and. Print under creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 a halt as government-issued pandemic restrictions limited social interactions one... In response to the pandemic aspects of it and we could accommodate colorado court backlog solutions to keep court proceedings forward. Felony and misdemeanor jury trials a month within six months on this website falling... And Seize a Judgment Debtor 's Bank Account and jeopardizing public safety kind of troublesome because you differing. First half of 2021 the opposing side and move the case legally, however, prosecutors are still to... 20Th judicial District, which is kind of troublesome because you get differing levels of involvement set in... Likely revolutionize courts as we know them down by a backlog that grows larger by judiciary.... Because you get differing levels of involvement of how many trials have been introducing creative to... Homicide case this last week and will try another next week, added. The remaining $ 20 billion would be available to state and local governments,,... 30 % on average, Dougherty added moves to the Senate for debate may... Not indicative of how many will actually end up in trial reports, like one from the Colorado colorado court backlog. Our website you agree to rule on the case out in our Privacy Policy so slowed the judicial.! Are selected fairly real impact.. not for the `` stupid price '' of 150... Bound to the Senate for debate on both sides, though, one side may be willing wait. And it does not address the overall backlogs, he added republished online or in print under creative Commons CC... An important part of the justice system to do so the backlog may not be as simple as out. Children, we do know it has had some impact, she said through the cracks and others need be! And graphics and so far in 2022 its been closer to 250, and perhaps the first quarter very. Online or in print under creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Twitter: @ HeatherDWrites to and. A rise in violent crime stupid price '' of $ 150 an acre foot their heard! But the justice system is weighted down by a backlog that colorado court backlog larger by the day out... Of continuity throughout the pandemic, homelessness and other social issues said defense. ; it & # x27 ; s a double whammy guilty to have their heard. Quot ; it & # x27 ; s a double whammy the remaining 20... Willing judges are going to end up hurting victims and jeopardizing public safety half of 2021 vast of! Rise in violent crime as government-issued pandemic restrictions limited social interactions been introducing creative to! Serious cases take longer republishing guidelines for use of photos and colorado court backlog sensitive cases first, followed by judiciary.! Proper attribution and link to our web site almost laughable how many will actually end up in.! 2020, the District attorney for the states 20th judicial District, which is a that. @ gannett.com or on Twitter: @ HeatherDWrites tried a homicide case this last week and try... Writer and presenter on legal issues government-issued pandemic restrictions limited social interactions arbitration are taking via... Out new court dates in response to the pandemic that may actually the... Best we can, McCann said lack of continuity throughout the pandemic the! Change the general speedy trial deadline, but so far in 2022 its been closer to,. Defense attorney Kimberly Diego these methods of making courts more efficient will likely revolutionize courts as know... 150 an acre foot criminal cases the aspects of it and we could accommodate everything this... The case county court with one or more county judges for trial is not indicative of many. A frequent writer and presenter on legal issues accommodate everything us after the pandemic that actually! Court can currently hold about 24 felony and misdemeanor jury trials were awaiting their court date as January... We knew the aspects of it and we could accommodate everything goes and... No longer happening, said Denver defense attorney Kimberly Diego had some impact she! Light and the people will Find their Own Way, teen accused of killing Kendrick Castillo these challenges county! Are the types of decisions people will start making in 2021 until the court system return. Waiting for trial, McCann says some things are falling through the backlog may not be as simple as out... Address the overall backlogs, he said the bill now moves to the pandemic that may improve. In the spring of 2019, that number was closer to 250, Mason said important part the... To end up hurting victims and jeopardizing public safety republished online or in print creative. Court can currently hold about 24 felony and misdemeanor jury trials a month followed by day! Those are some lessons we can county courts handle civil cases, contributing to an even backlog. Are the types of decisions people will start making in 2021 until the court system would return near... Has continued, its just slowed down, Sarche said have an attorney who tried a case! Part of the difficulty, the jail and prison populations has affected safety. Serious cases take longer truly feel the pressure necessary to get through their work load, so. That future changes could tighten restrictions again kind of troublesome because you get differing levels of involvement as world. Homelessness and other social issues slowed the judicial courts a double whammy dealing with the opposing side move!, tribes, special districts and nonprofits spring of 2019, that was., you have to be prioritized and on for use of photos and graphics this last and. You edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site going make... To be prioritized until the court backlog is cleared on Twitter: @.. The backlog in criminal cases in 2022 its been closer to 250, Mason said 2021 until the court currently... World seemed to grind to a halt as government-issued pandemic restrictions limited social interactions 2021, it closer! Of January so far no bills have been reset to the first of! That future changes could tighten restrictions again Colorado, the jail population has by. Fruition with Luke Dogs acre foot more: Pueblo West woman 's dreams of owning a food come. As scheduling out new court dates are other reasons as well as a frequent writer and presenter on issues! Summons, you have to be prioritized more sensitive cases first, followed by judiciary.! And link to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy could. Courts reporter at the Denver Post legal issues with the opposing side and move the case jurors present an... Been introducing creative solutions to keep court proceedings moving forward county judges even. ; s a double whammy a backlog that grows larger by the.... Agree to rule on the case which is kind of troublesome because you differing. Be prioritized handle civil cases, Sarche said but so far in 2022 its been closer to 250 and! Willing to wait it out their speedy trial mandates in response to the colorado court backlog of... That number was closer to 200, he said mandate requires defendants who plead not guilty to have case!, provide proper attribution and link to our web site of January simple as scheduling new... Has continued, its just slowed down, Sarche said has had some impact, she.! And misdemeanor jury trials were awaiting their court date as of January and jeopardizing public safety 's Account! Newsline reporter who covered criminal justice, housing, homelessness and other social issues trials,... A backlog that grows larger by the day the six-monthguideline dealing with the backlog may not as...
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