h_jud_2017a_2017-04-13t14:19:42z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/13/2017

Location: HCR 0112

02:21 PM -- HB17-1316



Represenative Lontine, sponsor, explained HB17-1316. The bill requires, as of May 1, 2017, that municipal courts appoint counsel in certain situations and municipal judges inform a defendant, at first appearance, of his or her rights related to self-incrimination, counsel, trial by jury, pleas, bail, and the charges against him or her. This applies to prosecutions of municipal charter and ordinance violations. There are approximately 175 municipal courts across the state which meet anywhere from daily to once a month, depending on the caseload of the municipality. Representative Lontine explained that some municipalities are not ready to implement HB16-1309 and request additional time to assess associated workloads and costs.



Representative Lontine presented Amendmnt L.001(Attachment A), which amends an effective date.



17HouseJud0413AttachA.pdf



02:23 PM -- Meghan Dollar, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the need to gather more data about the number of cases and how HB16-1309 will impact municipalities.