Face The State Staff Report
Following the decision of the Jefferson County Sheriff to send deputies to Denver to help provide security for the Democratic National Convention in August, the county's courts are responding by attempting to leave criminal dockets empty during that time. Other metro counties are also exploring similar cutbacks to court dockets.
Sheriff Ted MinkJefferson Co.
According to Jim Shires, the public information officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, leaders are coordinating efforts to minimize the amount of deputies the courts would need August 25 through 28. Shires said that on direct orders from Denver authorities, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department will not release the number of officers it has pledged to the DNC. However, it is enough to halt criminal proceedings for those three days. The decision doesn't set well with criminal defense attorneys, with several expressing frustration to Face The State but declining to publicly express concerns out of fear of retribution against their clients.
“We want people to have access to due process, and that is our biggest concern,” said Sandy Mullins, executive director for the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.
Denver Police Chief Gerry Whitman has said that he is working with more than 40 area law enforcement agencies to coordinate between 2,000 and 2,500 officers for security at the DNC. The federal government has committed $50 million to Denver to help pay for convention related costs, including security.
“We don’t want to release any information about how understaffed any other jurisdictions might be,” said Rebecca Balancier, a spokesperson from Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper’s office.
Arapahoe County has not reached an official agreement with Denver officials, but Sheriff Grayson Robinson anticipates that he will end up providing about 100 deputies out of a force of 700 for security at the DNC.
“We might recommend the courts have a modified schedule just to be on the safe side, but nothing has been decided,” he said. Robinson added that he has deputies permanently assigned to the court and those positions will not be dramatically impacted.
Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr has also committed deputies to the DNC, but says he has made no special agreement with the courts and that it will be “business as usual down here.” Douglas County Sheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth has requested the courts try to keep "traffic as light as possible."
"We are going to be fully staffed," she said. "We just want to avoid having more cases than normal or anything high profile for security reasons."
Deputies are required to be in a courtroom during any criminal proceedings and are often called upon to testify. Arraignments will still be taking place around the metro area. Denver’s Courtroom 12T, widely regarded among the legal community as the “sluts and nuts” court because it is where many arraignments for drug-related offenses and prostitution take place, will remain open. Arraignments typically take place within 24 hours of arrest.
In addition to concerns about courts shutting down because of lack of deputies available, civil libertarians have also expressed concern that metro counties, operating with reduced staff, may also be called on to help house protesters at county jails.
"I don't know what kind of delay the other counties will experience, but I don't understand how this is going to alleviate pressure on the Denver system, which is where the stress will be" said Tom Cincotta, vice president of the Southwest Region of the National Lawyers Guild.