Colorado is at the vanguard of American states that have liberalized marijuana laws. The allowance given state residents to use pot for recreational and medicinal purposes means that consumers can drive under the influence, correct?Any such personal assessment is...
Year: 2018
Many offenses are erased from juvenile records in Colorado
Nearly everyone knows that having a criminal record can create a wide variety of future challenges. Not only must these individuals live with the stigma of their past convictions, but their records can make it more difficult to find a job, obtain a loan or even sign a...
Should criminal history be queried on college applications?
We noted in a recent blog post a particularly disturbing reality for some young people in Colorado and elsewhere connected with the rite of college admission. Our September 24 entry zeroed in on the moment when a hopeful applicant confronts “an application question...
Mental health expert: U.S. justice system is badly misguided
“More punishment for more people.”That outcome has sadly been the recipe in criminal law cases across America since the country’s inception, says one behavioral expert and justice system commentator who strongly urges reform.William R. Kelly is a sociology professor...
Does driving high on marijuana carry a harsher penalty than DUI?
Colorado may have legalized the recreational use of marijuana for those over the age of 21, but that doesn’t mean people can get behind the wheel after smoking weed. In fact, the penalties are driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) can be quite severe — just like...
What are the charges for growing marijuana outside in Colorado?
Last week, we told you about how many Coloradans are confused about the laws governing the growing of personal marijuana. After all, many people assume that since the recreational use of marijuana is now legal under Colorado law, they should be able to grow it in...
Juvenile criminal history and the college application process
Not every would-be Colorado college student looks forward to the application process. Sometimes that botched ACT or SAT score can look a bit troublesome. Maybe some of those opted-for high school classes weren’t particularly challenging. Some students filling out...
Colorado justice group calls for prison system/policy fixes
The uppercase depiction of longstanding American criminal law policies imbues them with a sense of fervor and unquestioned harshness. The War on Crime. Its attendant War on Drugs.Those notably tagged battles have seemingly been a near-crusade in states across the...
Surprise! Growing marijuana outside is still illegal in Colorado.
Colorado may have legalized the recreational use of marijuana under state law, but that doesn't mean there aren't still some legal restrictions in place -- particularly when it comes to where people can grow marijuana. Indeed, many people have been arrested because of...
One Colorado anti-DUI campaign ends, another commences
If there is one activity that Colorado law enforcers clearly relish, it is putting wheels to the pavement in great numbers while focusing narrowly on one specific target.Readers of our Denver criminal defense blog can likely pinpoint that select audience immediately,...