s_jud_2016a_2016-04-20t13:32:40z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/20/2016

05:34 PM -- SB16-180



Senator Woods and Senator Jahn, co-prime sponsors presented Senate Bill 16-180, concerning a specialized program within the Department of Corrections for certain offenders who were convicted as adults for offenses they committed as juveniles. Senator Woods distributed amendments L.001 (Attachment E), L.002 (Attachment F), L.004 (Attachment G), L.005 (Attachment H), and L.006 (Attachment I).



16SenateJud0420AttachE.pdf 16SenateJud0420AttachF.pdf



16SenateJud0420AttachG.pdf 16SenateJud0420AttachH.pdf



16SenateJud0420AttachI.pdf





05:39 PM -- Ms. Maureen Cain, representing the State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Cain explained the bill's provisions. Ms. Cain responded to a question regarding the effect of this bill on resentencing.



05:49 PM -- Mr. Scott Turner, representing the Colorado Attorney General's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Turner expressed concern over the role of the judiciary in sentencing and parole, and victim concerns.



05:52 PM -- Mr. Raymond Harlan, representing Colorado Victims for Justice, testified in opposition to the bill. He stated the program created by the bill is redundant, and that people should not be eligible for the program after 20 years.



05:56 PM -- Mr. Dave Jones, representing the Eighteenth Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Jones discussed the finality of sentencing.



05:59 PM -- Mr. Rich Orman, representing the Eighteenth Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Orman discussed concerns relating to the effect of the bill in the case of consecutive sentences.



06:02 PM -- Mr. Pete Weir, representing the First Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed factors that determine whether juveniles are tried as adults, and discussed a specific case. He explained other objections to the bill. He responded to a question regarding his role developing criminal justice policy.



06:12 PM -- Mr. Mitch Morrissey, Denver District Attorney, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Morrissey discussed his objections to the bill and discussed specific offenders to which the bill would apply.



06:16 PM -- Mr. Sean Taylor, representing the Incarcerated Children's Advocacy Network and the Second Chance Center, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Taylor discussed his experience when he was incarcerated as a juvenile. He also provided the committee with information about convicted juveniles he had mentored.



06:20 PM -- Ms. Jeannette Holtham, representing Youth Transformation Center, testified in support of the bill. She discussed her experience as a victim of crime. She also discussed restorative justice programs.



06:24 PM -- Ms. Debbie Stafford, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Stafford explained peer support for inmates.



06:26 PM -- Mr. Gordon England, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He discussed his experience following the death of his son as a victim of violent crime, and his reasons for supporting the bill.



06:31 PM -- Ms. Karen Lausa, representing the Words Beyond Bars Project, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Lousa discussed her work with inmates.



06:35 PM -- Mr. Mike May, representing the Independence Institute and Right on Crime, testified in support of the bill. Mr. May distributed written testimony (Attachment J). Mr. May explained his position on bill, including factors that cause juveniles to commit crimes.



16SenateJud0420AttachJ.pdf



06:39 PM -- Ms. Carol Johann, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She discussed her daughter's experiences following a conviction as a juvenile.



06:42 PM -- Pastor Madlyn Tombs, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Pastor Tombs explained that sentencing should give juveniles an opportunity for rehabilitation.



06:45 PM -- Ms. Jennifer Jones, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the sentencing of her brother.



06:49 PM -- Mr. Ezra Aldern, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Aldern discussed his experience as a victim of violent crime, and his views of the offender convicted of that crime.



06:53 PM -- Ms. Linda Mitchell-Sherman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She explained her experience surrounding her son's incarceration.



06:57 PM -- Mr. Gary Flakes, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He discussed his experience being incarcerated as a juvenile.



07:00 PM -- Ms. Jenny Kraska, representing the Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in support of the bill. She stated what she believes are the beneficial effects of the bill.



07:02 PM -- Ms. Carla Bennett, representing the League of Women Voters, testified in support of the bill. She stated that safety would not be compromised by the bill, and that offenders should be allowed the opportunity to change.



07:04 PM -- Ms. Mary Ellen Johnson, representing the Pendulum Foundation, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the now-defunct Juvenile Clemency Board, the costs of rehabilitative programs, and the role of the Department of Corrections under the bill.



07:08 PM -- Ms. Stacie Colling, representing the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel, testified in support of the bill. She read statements of persons that may be eligible for the program created by the bill.



07:12 PM -- Mr. Jack Smith, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He asked the committee to consider his remarks on Senate Bill 16-181, provided earlier in the committee meeting, as his statement on SB 16-180 as well.



07:13 PM -- Dr. Carey Chamberlin, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He discussed supporting rehabilitative efforts of offenders.



07:16 PM -- Mr. Travis Trani, representing the Department of Corrections, testified on the bill from a neutral position. He provided technical information on the bill.



07:20 PM -- Ms. Mandy Koss, representing herself, testified on the bill. She discussed her work in the criminal justice sector.





07:24 PM



Senator Woods explained amendments L.001, L.002, and L.004. Mr. Richard Sweetman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, explained amendments L.005 and L.006.

07:31 PM



Senator Woods provided closing remarks on the bill.

07:36 PM



The committee adjourned.