Concerns rise as drug penalties drop
“It is the intention of the General Assembly to classify most drug possession on and after March 1, 2020, as a misdemeanor offense with different sentencing options and limited incarceration penalties,” reads the bill, which Rep. Leslie Herod, a Democrat, and Rep. Shane Sandridge, a Republican introduced. The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Vicki Marble and Pete Lee." “The purpose of this sentencing scheme is to provide offenders who are assessed to be in need of treatmen
Colorado Democrats call Larimer County sheriff's statement 'irresponsible' description o
"State Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver and sponsor of the bill in the House, said Smith's characterization that it stops police from arresting people for drug misdemeanors is "an urban legend," and "irresponsible to spread as a law enforcement officer." "That is irresponsible. That is not real, and it has no basis in facts about what the bill does," Herod said. "If he wants to talk about the bill or needs help reading through it, I'm happy to do so." "Instead, the law is aimed at
Capitol review: Lawmakers chipped away at opioid epidemic with 6 bills
"State lawmakers made strides toward curbing the opioid epidemic in Colorado, which claims at least one victim every day. In the just-ended session, they passed policies to expand treatment in rural Colorado, to stock an overdose-reversal medication in public places, and to require some jails and prisons to offer withdrawal medication to certain inmates." "Those efforts come as opioid-related deaths held steady in 2018, with heroin and fentanyl overdoses inching up, according
Gov. Polis signs bond reform bill
"DENVER - Low-level and non-violent criminals will be held in jail less often, after Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law Thursday." "The law creates new statewide standards that guide judges to hold suspected criminals only when there is a chance they will hurt someone, they are a flight risk, or they may obstruct justice." Read full article #LeslieHerod #criminaljusticereform #cashbond #pettyoffenses #prisonpopulation #cashbailbill #drugpossession #GovernorPolis
Changing the severity of drug charges in Colorado
Read full article #LeslieHerod #criminaljusticereform #pettyoffenses #socialjustice #prisonpopulation #drugpossession #drugtreatment
Bail, jail reforms promise relief for Colorado’s poorest
"The bill also would require the districts to develop new criteria to allow more defendants to be released immediately, with no monetary conditions. That bill will be heard by a Senate committee next week." "The ACLU and others say that one problem with the original bill was its reliance upon risk assessment tools, which have been found by the University of Northern Colorado to be biased. A landmark ProPublica investigation also found bias across the country. Such assessments
Colorado jails can’t hold people accused of low-level crimes in lieu of bail anymore. And that means
"Gov. Jared Polis’ signed a bill Thursday preventing people accused of many low-level offenses — such as petty, traffic or most municipal charges — from being jailed because they can’t pay their cash bail." "That also means people currently locked up in Colorado on those types of charges, who are unable to pay their bail, must be released. At least one county believes there are several people being held in their facility who might be eligible." “If you are thinking about putt
Imposing cash bail for minor offenses is no longer an option in Colorado
"The bill was the top item on State Rep. Leslie Herod’s legislative to-do list. She introduced the bill with support from Epps." “This was number one,” Herod said, almost out of breath Thursday after the bill was signed. “When I approached the ACLU, Elisabeth Epps, I said ‘I want to do a bail reform bill and I want Elisabeth Epps on board.” "Herod added that it means if there’s someone before a judge today, the judge can’t sentence them with bail for low-level offenses." "Her
House passes bill to reduce drug possession penalties
"In Colorado, adults 21 and older can legally possess only one ounce of marijuana at a time for recreational use." “The war on drugs has permanently branded many drug users with felony convictions that make it harder for them to find employment, access housing, and complete treatment, which are critical for a successful recovery,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, a sponsor of the bill. “It has devastated communities of color in my district and throughout Colorado. Lowering t
Colorado could reduce penalties for drug possession crimes
“Our state cannot afford to continue doling out felony convictions and sending people to prison for drug possession,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, one of four sponsors of the bill, in a statement. “It has not made our community safer, but it has created a whole host of problems for many people and families in our community. Permanently branding drug users as criminals makes it harder for them to access the things they need to get back on their feet, like stable housing and employm
