District Attorney Candidate 2018 Voter Guide. 20th Judicial District

Transcription

1 20th Judicial District (Boulder County) District Attorney Candidate 2018 Voter Guide Mark Your Calendars! Mon. June 18 th : Deadline to register to vote by mail or online and receive a ballot by mail: Tues. June 26 th : Primary Election Day (Polls open 7am- 7pm) To register to vote on-line go to: Click on Elections & Voting And then Click on Voters On Election Day, you can register and vote on the same day at a Voter Service and Polling Center. Adam Foss A Prosecutor s Vision for a Better Justice System Ted Talk (Feb 2016) medium= &utm_campaign=tedspread

2 The District Attorney (DA) is one of the most powerful players in the criminal justice system and very politically influential! In Colorado, the District Attorney has a lot of decisionmaking authority and responsibility. They are also elected officials but oftentimes too little information is known about DA candidates or decisions s/he makes once elected. In 2016, CCJRC launched its KNOW YOUR DA campaign to help voters be more educated about DA candidates around the state. This campaign will continue to educate the public on District Attorney races to promote more community engagement and to improve transparency, accountability, and relationship with elected District Attorneys. Go to to learn more and get involved DID YOU KNOW DA s have decision-making power to determine: Whether or not to file criminal charges Plea-bargaining Whether or not a diversion program is implemented Whether or not the death penalty is sought Services, compensation and funding for victims of crime DA s have power and influence beyond the courtroom! Public policy at the state and local level State and local budgets Public opinion on safety, equity, and justice issues Other government and elected officials The power of the state to punish for crimes is profound, and the prosecutor directs this awesome power. How might We the People control the choices of such a pivotal public servant? Ronald F. Wright Professor at Wake Forest University In 2018, there are two candidates running for District Attorney in the 20 th Judicial District Boulder County. Michael Dougherty (D) is the current appointed District Attorney and Mike Foote (D) is his opponent. These two candidates will be running against each other in the Primary Election to be held on June 26, CCJRC submitted a written candidate questionnaire to both Mr. Foote and Mr. Dougherty. Both submitted responses which are reprinted verbatim and in their entirety. They are presented in alphabetical order by last name. We greatly thank the candidates for their participation. Mr. Michael Dougherty (D) page 3 Mr. Mike Foote (D) page 11 CCJRC publishes this District Attorney Voter Guide for educational purposes only. The views expressed by the candidates do not necessarily reflect the perspective of CCJRC nor does CCJRC endorse any candidate. 2

3 Michael Dougherty (D) The following biographical information was provided by Mr. Dougherty. For additional information, you can go to: Michael Dougherty is the District Attorney of Boulder. Michael worked two jobs in high school and college. He loaded trucks for UPS and worked at a deli while attending community college and, using student loans, he graduated from Cornell University and Boston University School of Law. Michael served for twelve years at the Manhattan District Attorney s Office. He quickly rose to leadership positions, including Deputy Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit, and ultimately became responsible for leading the management, budget, and personnel of the District Attorney s Office. In 2009, Michael was recruited to head up the Colorado DNA Justice Review Project. He has lived in Boulder ever since. He has served as a leader in three large prosecutor s offices. Michael has worked on significant criminal justice reform. Notably, Michael received the Innocence Project s Award for Advocate for Innocence and Justice. Michael helped establish problem-solving courts and diversion programs. 3

4 Name of DA Candidate: Michael Dougherty (D) Judicial District Number: 20 th Judicial District (Boulder County) 1. Why are you running for District Attorney in the 20th Judicial District serving Boulder County, what qualifications do you bring to this elected position, and what will be the priorities of your administration, including any areas of improvement and measures of success? I am running for District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District for the same reason I sought, and was appointed to, the position: I get to continue my life s work -- in the backyard of the community I ve raised my kids in for the last nine years. I inherited an office with a strong legacy of upholding the law and generating positive change. The office is regarded as a statewide leader in public safety and criminal justice reform. Throughout my career as a dedicated prosecutor, I have worked tirelessly to fight for community safety and achieve criminal justice reform. As a result of my efforts, I have been entrusted with leadership positions in three large prosecutor s offices and, often, asked to serve as a leader for the District Attorneys of Colorado. For example, as an Assistant District Attorney, I represented Colorado on the Board of the National District Attorney s Association, served on the Executive Committee of the Colorado District Attorney s Council, and on a variety of criminal justice reform efforts --including Eyewitness Identification Reform, for which I received an award from the Innocence Project. I am excited to build upon the legacy of the office, carrying out a progressive vision of the Boulder County prosecutor s office. This vision centers on the core mission of seeking justice in every case, without fear or favor, while employing the highest standards of prosecutorial excellence and ethics. My office will focus on crime prevention through education, treatment, problem-solving and diversion programs. I am committed to securing justice for the most vulnerable in our society such as victims of domestic violence, sex crimes, elder abuse, bias and hate crimes, and members of immigrant communities. With the Trump administration attacking immigrants, sex assault victims, the environment, and integrity in government, I am especially passionate about fighting to protect the Boulder community. In an effort to improve our justice system and lower the recidivism rate, I will develop more alternatives to jail for non-violent offenders who are juveniles, veterans, and those suffering from mental illness and drug addiction. Another priority of mine is community engagement and collaboration with the aim of fostering confidence and improvement in our criminal justice system. We will measure success through data analysis, active discussions with the defense bar, as well as interactions with the community and law enforcement. On my first day in office, I provided the staff with Priorities for the Future, which lays out our goals for the next several years. Some of those efforts, including our DA Conviction Integrity Unit, are already underway. I will continue to check our progress against that vision. I will use my twenty years of experience as a courtroom prosecutor, the leader of prosecutor s offices, and a proven track record of criminal justice reform to bring these principles to life in the 20th Judicial District. As District Attorney, I will work tirelessly to keep our community safe and to provide innovative, progressive leadership for our criminal justice system. Michael Dougherty, cont. 4

5 2. What is your perspective on whether Colorado has too many people incarcerated or otherwise under some form of criminal justice supervision and what role, if any, do you think the District Attorney has played in this situation? I believe too many people are incarcerated or under some other form of criminal justice supervision. For that reason, just last week, I joined 44 other current and former prosecutors from around the nation in issuing a statement from the organization Fair and Just Prosecution, declaring that we should urge limiting community-based Supervision because it is a key driver of unnecessary incarceration. Of course, the District Attorney plays a large role in the prison rate for each jurisdiction. We need to drastically reduce the number of people who end up in prison. It starts with limiting how many offenders end up with multiple felonies, thereby leading to a prison sentence. Some groups of criminal offenders such as military veterans, juveniles, and those suffering from mental health conditions or drug addiction can receive vital help through court systems that provide a variety of medical, mental health and other professional services. Treatment courts have been established in many court systems, including in neighboring Jefferson and Gilpin counties during my tenure. These courts can result in long-term reductions in recidivism rates, while giving these offenders the assistance they need for long-term success. I will work with the court system, law enforcement agencies, the defense bar, the probation and parole departments, treatment programs and all other interested groups to develop treatment courts in Boulder County. This will be a project that ultimately will be tremendously beneficial for our community, as appropriate non-violent offenders are given coordinated assistance and treatment options instead of jail. The following are the treatment courts we would seek to establish in the 20th Judicial District: Juvenile Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Treatment Court, and a DUI Court. The Boulder District Attorney s Office already houses the Center for Prevention and Restorative Justice, a highly successful and innovative diversion program that guides offenders through a process of accepting personal responsibility for their actions and repairing the harm they have caused. I strongly support this program, and will look for additional creative and meaningful methods to reduce recidivism and encourage lasting justice solutions. Finally, I support reviewing and revising the standard plea offers for the District Attorney s Office. As District Attorney, it is my initial impression that this office is more lenient than other jurisdictions. I agree with this approach. 3. Recently, Colorado has seen both a dramatic increase in felony drug filings and opiate overdose deaths. Specifically, from the 20th Judicial District had a 48% increase in felony drug cases filed by the District Attorney. What do you attribute these dynamics to and what strategies, if any, would you support, both inside and outside the criminal justice system, to address this? As District Attorney, I am continuing the office s participation in the Boulder County Opioid Advisory Group, looking for coordinated solutions to the ongoing opioid crisis. One of the clear priorities in addressing drug and opioid addiction is improving and expanding treatment options for addiction. I will actively assist in these efforts and work to integrate treatment programs into the problem-solving courts and diversion programs discussed in other sections of this document. Michael Dougherty, cont. 5

6 Additionally, I will continue to speak out in favor of more community-based drug treatment programs. A person should not have to face arrest and conviction in order to receive treatment for an addiction. I look forward to learning more about the data behind the drug felony filing numbers; I believe the Division of Criminal Justice is conducting such an inquiry. The 48% figure is alarming to me, but the increase should, also, be measured against the increase of felony filings, overall. I believe that the drug felony filings are going up, along with felony filings overall. Regardless, the rise in felony drug filings is concerning to me. I helped with the effort on SB 250, believing that the legislation would help lower the number of felony drug filings and length of sentences. Clearly, there is more work to be done here. In sum, I believe that the rise is tied to the heroin and opioid epidemic, the lack of community-based treatment options, and the need for the criminal justice system to again re-evaluate what improvements could be made. For example, I am open to reducing low-level drug offenses to misdemeanors. 4. What steps would you take to better meet the needs of underserved crime survivors, specifically people of color and men and what is your perspective on why these victims are currently underserved? I believe that the issue of race is an undercurrent through many of our institutions and systems. In another answer, I shared my commitment to a diverse staff and a review of implicit bias, as well as training programs on implicit bias. These steps would allow us to better meet the needs to underserved crime survivors. Victims may be underserved for a number of reasons. First, if there is a language barrier that can lead to less contact with the victim and difficulty in communicating about the legal process. For that reason, several of our staff are bilingual and we put a preference on applicants who are fluent in English and Spanish. Second, cultural differences are a contributing factor. The communication styles of different cultures may cause confusion and a lack of familiarity between crime survivors and members of law enforcement, including DA staff. Furthermore, given systemic issues of inequality, some victims do not wish to participate in the criminal justice system thereby reducing their cooperation. If victims refuse to come to Court, it makes it difficult to meet the needs of the victims. We need to build trust between communities of color and law enforcement and district attorneys. 5. Many immigrants, including legal residents, young "dreamers" with DACA status, often face devastating immigration consequences for minor criminal convictions. Given the Supreme Court's recognition that consideration of immigration consequences should be a part of the plea-bargaining process, what policies and procedures, if any, would you implement to promote the consideration of immigration consequences on a case-by-case basis? Given the Trump administration s continued attacks on immigrants, one of my top priorities upon becoming District Attorney has been to build trust with the immigrant communities. I will fight to protect immigrants. Unfortunately, many immigrants are less likely to report crimes when they occur, either out of fear of the criminal justice system or a lack of familiarity the reporting process. Michael Dougherty, cont. 6

7 The problem of underreporting has been magnified by recent changes to our nation s immigration policies. Undocumented immigrants are increasingly fearful of deportation should they make contact with law enforcement. The same is true, of course, for criminal defendants. Improvements to our programs for helping immigrants have a meaningful impact on their lives, as well as the trust that the communities place in the justice system. As District Attorney, I will use the resources and authority of my office to protect immigrant populations by developing policies and procedures to promote the consideration of immigration consequences on a case-by-case basis. I will do that in the following ways: Enhancing training for prosecutors, victim-witness advocates and other staff on crimes affecting immigrants, the immigration consequences when immigrants report or are charged with crimes, as well as the criminal justice concerns of these communities. After taking office, I enlisted RMIAN to provide my staff with two trainings on these issues. These trainings are scheduled for this summer. Education outreach on immigrant rights, frauds targeting immigrants, and the services available when crimes occur; Collaboration with local and state agencies, nonprofit groups and other organizations that work with immigrant populations to identify crimes affecting immigrants and address community concerns; Expanding our U-Visa program to provide legal visa status to victims and witnesses of crimes. I helped oversee this program at the Manhattan District Attorney s Office and helped lift the prohibition on U-Visas in Golden; Advancing cases to allow defendants to move up their court dates in order to avoid longterm planning by ICE. My mission is to do justice. That mission is thwarted when defendants do not appear for Court. I have announced this policy change to the defense bar and immigrant communities; and Considering plea consequences whenever offering pleas in cases involving immigration consequences. Individuals with immigration issues face markedly different consequences than similarly-situated defendants. My office will develop a policy that requires Deputy District Attorneys to consider immigration consequences in developing resolutions to cases, including the crime of conviction and length of sentence. These resolutions will be transparent. The Denver District Attorney s Office has provided me with a working draft of their immigration policy and our review is already underway. I will continue to fight for immigrants. In the short time that I have been in office, many of the above have been implemented. It is a priority for me and my office. 6. People with a criminal conviction can face long-term barriers to housing, employment and other collateral consequences as a result of having a criminal record. What, if any, strategies would you support that could mitigate unnecessary collateral consequences and do you think elected District Attorneys should be concerned about collateral consequences? Michael Dougherty, cont. 7

8 I agree that people with a criminal conviction can face significant barriers to housing, employment and other collateral consequences as a result of having a criminal record. I do believe that District Attorneys should be concerned about collateral consequences because they often have a negative impact on the individual s ability to get a job and a productive member of society. I support legislative efforts to reduce collateral consequences. 7. There is a narrative that tries to explain racial disparity in the criminal justice system as a consequence that people of color just commit more crime. What is your perspective on this school of thought and what, if anything, would your administration do to address racial disparity in the criminal justice system and build greater trust in communities of color? In order to address racial disparity in the criminal justice system and build greater trust in communities of color, I will continue to engage in community outreach and implement efforts to identify bias and enhance diversity within my office. I have seen firsthand the impact that these efforts can have in building greater trust in communities of color. I strongly believe community outreach is part of the solution. The work of the District Attorney s Office must go beyond a focus on cases. It is critical that the office be an active participant in the community, both as an educator about criminal justice and crime prevention, and as a listener to community voices. As District Attorney, my office will develop a robust Community Outreach Partnership Program that engages law enforcement and prosecutors with community members, organizations and community leaders. By hearing ideas and concerns from all sides of the table, we can work together on meaningful solutions to the many complex issues in criminal justice. As part of the Community Outreach Partnership Program, my staff and I will regularly participate in community events, attend community meetings, offer educational programs at schools about criminal justice topics and issues affecting young people, and assist law enforcement agencies with community outreach efforts. I believe it is essential for the District Attorney and staff to have a personal connection with the community we serve. Community outreach and education will always be a priority for my office. I received an award for my community outreach efforts while with the Manhattan DA s Office. Additionally, we will work to identify bias in our office and the criminal justice system through data analysis and training programs for staff. Implicit bias the unwitting ways in which our brains categorize the world around us influence how all of us make decisions, including prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges. Taking steps to recognize these unconscious reactions when making decisions will make the criminal justice system fairer for everyone. As District Attorney, I will have all employees of the Boulder County District Attorney s Office participate in an independent review on implicit bias and, as needed, establish new protocols to combat biases that are identified. A similar process recently was completed at the Denver District Attorney s Office. Also, I helped to ensure that training on implicit bias was provided at the CDAC Conference last year. I also will work to recruit a diverse staff of attorneys and personnel, including through active outreach at law schools to encourage applications to the Boulder District Attorney s Office. At the Manhattan DA s Office, I started a Diversity Outreach Program to enhance the diversity of the applicant pool. I engaged in similar efforts while with the District Attorney s Office in Jefferson County. Michael Dougherty, cont. 8

9 8. Across the country there is an increasing spotlight on racial justice issues from the formation of Black Lives Matter, to community protests across the country, and to athletes kneeling during the National Anthem. These dynamics are causing flash point debates on whether there is inequitable treatment of people of color in the criminal justice system and unjustifiable harm done to these communities. What is your perspective on these efforts and how do you think we move forward as a country and as a state? I respect, and strongly support, efforts to call attention to issues of social and racial justice. I do believe that there has been inequitable treatment of people of color in the criminal justice system. These efforts speak to the growing divide and sense of mistrust in our communities. We can move forward if we have leaders with integrity who will provide direct and honest answers, connect with the community, and include others in the effort. We must restore equality and integrity in the justice system. In previous answers, I spoke about my strong commitment to leading a diverse office and taking of implicit bias and cultural divides. In addition, I served on the Minority Over-Representation Task Force for the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. We have a lot of work to do going forward, as these recent movements and protests demonstrated. We move forward to leading an effort for equality, community engagement at all levels, appreciation for other cultures, and a strong stance against bigotry and hate. Bias and hate crimes cannot be tolerated in our society. These crimes must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Although data on these crimes is often incomplete, since Trump took office, both Boulder County and the country as a whole showed an increase in reported hate crimes in 2016 (the most current year for which data is available). I will take specific steps to fight these crimes in Boulder County, including dedicating prosecutors to receive training and develop expertise on prosecuting hate crimes; working proactively with law enforcement partners to identify bias and hate crime cases and gather necessary evidence; regularly meeting with leaders in the religious, immigrant, LGBTQ and other affected communities to discuss events and trends of concern, as well as the District Attorney s Office s response; and using the Community Outreach Partnership Program to provide educational programs at schools and community organizations. I have taken significant steps in each of these areas since taking office on March 1st. In an effort to build integrity into our justice system in Boulder, I started the first DA Conviction Integrity Program. Deputy District Attorneys working in the program not only will investigate claims of erroneous convictions, but also will help the entire office to learn from the past by recommending the most effective investigation and prosecution techniques moving forward. This project is well underway and we are working in close collaboration with the Boulder Public Defender and the private defense bar, as well as CU s Korey Wise Innocence Project. The project is off to a terrific start. As the Conviction Integrity Unit illustrates, building these bridges requires more than just discussions and meetings, it requires a shared goal and working to make specific things better. It means putting aside ego, traditional roles, and being open to real communication and collaboration. Michael Dougherty, cont., 9

10 9. There is very little information available to the public about the decision-making and outcomes of the District Attorney s Office. What would you do to improve the transparency of the District Attorney s Office, including what data would you make available to the public, what method would you use to inform the public, and what formal opportunities would you put in place to receive community input? I am committed to leading an open and transparent office, which includes making data available to the public and engaging the community, through public meetings, social media, and Guest Opinions in the local newspapers. Since taking office on March 1st, I have done each of these things because I believe that being a public servant means being available to the public. In my first week in office, I wrote a Letter to the Editor in which I provided my and direct phone number to the entire community. On my business cards, I include my cellphone number and I regularly provide this number to community members. Since taking office, I have held two Open Houses in each of the two courthouses. We provided short presentations on a couple of areas in the office and, then, opened it up to any and all questions. I regularly use social media and Guest Opinions to update the community on our office, different projects, and crime data. Those posts prompt a variety of responses and I try to answer every single one. Frequently, I provide data to the community and other stakeholders. I strongly believe that there is no reason to keep information on cases, decision-making and outcomes, analysis, data, salaries, or budget from the community provided there is no prohibition on its release. To the contrary, I want to public to know more about what our office actually does, how many staff work in the office, our role in the justice system, and the types of cases we handle. As a public office, that information should be available and provided to the public. By providing that information, we build a stronger connection to the community and we earn their trust. Absent that understanding of our work, the community will form their own conclusions based on unreliable information. For example, if the community does not have a clear understanding of the role of the District Attorney, a candidate could announce that he plans to become District Attorney and he will stop oiland-gas development in the County. The legal community knows that this is a complete fiction, since the DA does not have any such legal authority. However, for the members of the community that have less understanding of the criminal justice system, this type of statement can manipulate their perception of the justice system and the role of the DA s Office. To combat misconceptions, I will always lead with integrity and a commitment to sharing the work of my office with our community. I have been committed to community outreach throughout my career, winning an award from the New York County Lawyers Association for my efforts to connect with the community. I have continued that approach as a prosecutor and leader in Colorado. In my first three months in office, I have met with hundreds of community members, established an open relationship with the media, and openly shared information about the office, our internal processes, and our role. Michael Dougherty, end 10

11 Mike Foote (D) The following biographical information was provided by Mr. Foote. For additional information, you can go to Mike Foote is committed to our community and committed to the Boulder County District Attorney s office. He has worked as a deputy district attorney in Boulder since 2004, prosecuting virtually every type of offense and most recently specializing in juvenile law. Mike and his wife Heidi, an accountant and former board member of Blue Sky Bridge child advocacy center, live in Lafayette and have two daughters. In 2012, Mike was elected to represent the people of Eastern Boulder County at the state Capitol. While in the legislature, he proposed and passed bills related to oil and gas, criminal justice, tax policy and several other areas of interest to his district. Mike completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University, received a master s degree from the University of Denver s Josef Korbel School of International Studies and graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law. 11

12 Name of DA Candidate: Mike Foote (D) Judicial District Number: 20 th Judicial District (Boulder County) 1. Why are you running for District Attorney in the 20 th Judicial District serving Boulder County, what qualifications do you bring to this elected position, and what will be the priorities of your administration, including any areas of improvement and measures of success? I have spent most of my career working in and representing Boulder County because I believe it is the best place to live and work in Colorado. The District Attorney has a very meaningful role in our community. The District Attorney is a leader in setting criminal justice priorities and the administration of our justice system. The 20 th Judicial District is in a position to be a leader statewide and even nationwide about how to put together a justice system that works well. 2. What is your perspective on whether Colorado has too many people incarcerated or otherwise under some form of criminal justice supervision and what role, if any, do you think the District Attorney has played in this situation? I believe too many people are incarcerated both before and after the resolution of cases. The District Attorney s office plays a role in this through its bond arguments and plea resolution offers. 3. Recently, Colorado has seen both a dramatic increase in felony drug filings and opiate overdose deaths. Specifically, from the 20 th Judicial District had a 48% increase in felony drug cases filed by the District Attorney. What do you attribute these dynamics to and what strategies, if any, would you support, both inside and outside the criminal justice system, to address this? Not surprisingly, the opioid epidemic accounts for much of that increase. Most of these drug cases should be handled outside of the court system through programs like the recently implemented Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program through the Longmont Police Department. Most police officers, prosecutors, and judges do not want to deal with simple possession cases and most defendants would prefer not going through the court. More of our county resources should go to treatment programs outside of the court system. 4. What steps would you take to better meet the needs of underserved crime survivors, specifically people of color and men and what is your perspective on why these victims are currently underserved? Continued and intensified outreach to underserved communities to make sure member of those communities know the District Attorney s office can and will help those survivors. 5. Many immigrants, including legal residents, young "dreamers" with DACA status, often face devastating immigration consequences for minor criminal convictions. Given the Supreme Court's recognition that consideration of immigration consequences should be a part of the plea bargaining process, what policies and procedures, if any, would you implement to promote the consideration of immigration consequences on a case-by-case basis? Mike Foote, cont. 12

13 We must train all of our deputy district attorneys in basic immigration law and have a member of the staff who is well versed in that ever-changing and complicated area. Too often prosecutors are not active enough in discussion of immigration and other collateral consequences with defense attorneys. The first step in thoughtful consideration of those potential consequences is understanding the law. 6. People with a criminal conviction can face long-term barriers to housing, employment and other collateral consequences as a result of having a criminal record. What, if any, strategies would you support that could mitigate unnecessary collateral consequences and do you think elected District Attorneys should be concerned about collateral consequences? Yes, District Attorneys should care because our work should help society and some collateral consequences have long-term effects on the health of our society. We should look at the longterm effects of criminal convictions and make allowances when appropriate. 7. There is a narrative that tries to explain racial disparity in the criminal justice system as a consequence that people of color just commit more crime. What is your perspective on this school of thought and what, if anything, would your administration do to address racial disparity in the criminal justice system and build greater trust in communities of color? We must be vigilant to avoid disparate outcomes. The first step is being aware of the data and enlisting outside experts to help us interpret it. Then we must correct any issues. Continued outreach to affected communities should underpin all of our efforts. 8. Across the country there is an increasing spotlight on racial justice issues from the formation of Black Lives Matter, to community protests across the country, and to athletes kneeling during the National Anthem. These dynamics are causing flash point debates on whether there is inequitable treatment of people of color in the criminal justice system and unjustifiable harm done to these communities. What is your perspective on these efforts and how do you think we move forward as a country and as a state? These are valuable efforts and an essential discussion. Much of my answer here is the same as in the prior question. We must dig into the data, use outside expertise to help us analyze, and chart a pathway forward in this area. 9. There is very little information available to the public about the decision-making and outcomes of the District Attorney s Office. What would you do to improve the transparency of the District Attorney s Office, including what data would you make available to the public, what method would you use to inform the public, and what formal opportunities would you put in place to receive community input? Affirmative outreach and constant availability to the public should be the hallmark of a District Attorney. The District Attorney must understand the community and be responsive to the public. Explaining key decisions in community meetings of all types is a key component of that outreach. Not everyone will agree with every decision but taking questions and listening to concerns are essential aspects of transparency. Mike Foote, end 13

14 Voting With Conviction Many people believe that once you have a criminal record you can never vote in Colorado. This is not true! Since 2006, CCJRC has run the only civic engagement campaign in Colorado that focuses exclusively on people with criminal records. In addition to statewide voter education, CCJRC provides free trainings to election officials, GOTV efforts, Voter Registration Drives, community organizations, and our members on the nuances of voting eligibility for people with criminal histories. Building political power together requires participation. We don t care if you like politics or politicians but we do care that you Use Your Voice Register to Vote & Vote! We can provide free trainings and copies of our educational materials. Contact us at (303) or Juston Cooper, Deputy Director at juston@ccjrc.org Colorado law states that: No person while serving a sentence of detention or confinement in a correctional facility, jail, or other location for a felony conviction or while serving a sentence of parole shall be eligible to register to vote or to vote in any election; however, a confined person who is awaiting trial but has not been tried shall be certified by the institutional administrator and shall be permitted to register to vote by mail registration pursuant to part 5 of this article. Colorado Revised Statute (4) This means the following people are eligible to register and vote in Colorado: People with a past criminal conviction who have completed their sentence, including parole (if required) People currently in jail pretrial (pending the outcome of the criminal case) People currently on probation for either a misdemeanor or felony People currently in jail serving a misdemeanor sentence only Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition (CCJRC) 1212 Mariposa St. #6 Denver, CO (303) For more information, contact Juston Cooper juston@ccjrc.org 14