S_JUD_2024A 01/12/2024 12:10:24 PM Committee Summary

The meeting was called to order. A quorum was present.

Representative Weissman, chair, provided opening remarks on the day's activities.

Jordan Steffen, Deputy Ombudsman, Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman, provided an overview of the office, its activities, legislative agenda, and performance plan.

Committee members asked questions about a specific incident in Larimer County impacting the Child Protection Ombudsman and potential legislation to address the issue.  Discussion followed about the population services and available resources. 

The Child Protection Ombudsman SMART Act presentation and related documents may be viewed at this link: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/sjud2024asmartact

J.R. Hall, Chair, State Board of Parole, and Michael Tessean, Parole Board Director, appeared before the committee pursuant to Section 17-2-201 (3.5), C.R.S. They provided an overview of the board and its activities, and reviewed parole statistics for the most recent fiscal year.  Budget goals were also discussed. 

Committee members asked questions about parole revocation hearings and release outcomes.  Further questions were raised about the complaints, revocations, and compassionate release.

Committee members asked additional questions about statutory thresholds and workloads. Discussion ensued regarding technical parole violation data.

The State Board of Parole SMART Act presentation is found at this link: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/sjud2024asmartact

Darren Cantor, Deputy Director; Stacie Nelson Colling, Youth Defense Coordinator; and Erin Campbell, Evaluations and Training Coordinator; Office of Alternate Defense Counsel (ADC), appeared before the committee and  provided an overview of the office and its activities.

The ADC slide deck and supporting documents are posted on this webpage:  https://leg.colorado.gov/content/sjud2024asmartact

Ms. Colling and Ms. Campbell gave updates on competency and juvenile-related reporting requirements.

Discussion ensued regarding competency evaluations and outcomes. Additional discussion followed about defense attorney pay,  recruitment, and retention, particularly in rural areas.

Brian Boatright, Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court; Steve Vasconcellos, State Court Administrator; and Terry Scanlon, Legislative Liaison, appeared on behalf of the Judicial Branch.  The Judicial Department representatives discussed the recent vandalism incident at the Judicial Center. 

Committee members asked questions about controlled maintenance budget requests, repairs, and associated timelines. 

The committees was briefed on the Judicial Branch's activities, duties, budget request, and legislative agenda.  Diversity on the bench was also discussed, followed by operations in the new 23rd Judicial District.  Discussion ensued regarding the case tracking website, and personnel issues in the Judicial Branch.

Discussion continued about a potential conflict in state law pertaining to live streaming of court proceedings and public access to Judicial Branch data.  Committee members asked questions about the case management system.

 

Further questions were raised about pretrial services. 

The Judicial Department slide deck and supporting documents may be found at this link: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/sjud2024asmartact

Alan Higbie, representing himself, testified on the Judicial Branch.

Jim Carpenter, Vice Chair; and Christopher Gregory, Executive Director; Commission on Judicial Discipline, provided an overview of the commission, its duties, caseload, legislative priorities, and performance measures.

Committee members asked questions about senior judges, and the Ombudsman's Office in the Judicial Branch per House Bill 23-1205.  Further questions were asked about publically available data from the Commission.  Discussion ensued regarding the role of the office, and the process by which complaints are handled.  Discussion returned to senior judges.

The Commission on Judicial Discipline annual report is posted here:  https://ccjd.colorado.gov/annual-reports

Megan Ring, Colorado State Public Defender, and James Karbach, Director of Legislative Policy and Organizational Communication, appeared on behalf of the Office of State Public Defender. They provided an agency overview, including activities, duties, personnel issues, and budget requests. 

Committee members asked questions about representation for individuals found incompetent to proceed.

 

 

Discussion ensued regarding staff shortages and then returned to competency and litigation surrounding the issue.

The Office of the State Public Defender presentation and performance plan are listed at this link: https://ccjd.colorado.gov/annual-reports

 

Chair Weissman provided closing remarks about upcoming Joint Judiciary hearings.