Colorado Springs Criminal Law Blog

Colorado’s NBC affiliate KUSA-TV recently reported that seven city blocks located near the University of Colorado served as the site of numerous acts of vandalism that ranged from theft to destruction of property. Reportedly, the acts of vandalism began early Saturday morning outside the First Congregational Church where one of the church’s doors was smashed in by a parking sign that the individuals responsible for the vandalism dislodged from the ground. The property damage continued across six more blocks, and resulted in thousands of dollars worth of damage.

According to the news story, Boulder Police did not have as many units in the area because of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, when many University of Colorado students travel back home or out of town for the long weekend. Police investigating the random acts of vandalism are still looking for leads that may further their investigation. Depending on the total amount of damage that is determined to have been done, those responsible for the vandalism could face criminal mischief or more severe criminal charges.

Continue reading " Seven Blocks Vandalized Near University of Colorado, Church Door Smashed " »

An almost 10-year-old sexual assault case has resurfaced after an Arapahoe County District Court Judge agreed to assign a special prosecutor to file charges against the accused. According to an aurorasentinel.com article, the incident in question occurred at a high school graduation party in 2000. Allegedly, a young woman claims that two of her classmates had intercourse with her without consent being given. Reportedly, the young woman had been drinking the night of the alleged incident. There was no mention of whether or not the two men accused of the act were also consuming alcohol the night of the party.

Initially, the woman did not want to testify against the young men, rendering prosecutors unable to file criminal charges against the men. However, after one of the two men was investigated for his connection to an alleged Colorado University incident of rape in 2004, the woman asked the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office to reconsider filing charges in her case. The D.A.’s office declined to reconsider, citing the long amount of time that had passed since the incident as to why charges would not be pursued. The woman again sought filing charges in 2007, and, after an initial refusal to do so, was granted her request.

Continue reading " Decade Old Aurora Rape Case Reopened by Arapahoe Judge " »

According to the site timescall.com, a composite sketch of a robbery suspect was recently released in hope that someone may recognize the suspect and furnish police with information that may lead to that suspect’s arrest. The suspect in question is sought in connection to a robbery that occurred at a Subway restaurant located on the 1800 block of Hover Street in Longmont. Police detectives are still investigating the incident, and are seeking help from the public.

According to Colorado Law Enforcement Agency Uniform Crime Reports, there were a total of 3,365 occurrences of robbery in 2008. Burglaries occurred on a more regular basis, with numbers totaling 28,256. Although both of these numbers were slightly down from 2007 figures, instances of theft and robbery crimes are still prevalent in Colorado. Per 100,000 inhabitants in 2008, there were 68.1 instances of robbery, and 572 instances of theft. Both numbers indicate that there is a definite need for experienced defense attorneys in the state of Colorado.

Continue reading " Longmont Subway Sandwich Suspect Steals Cash, Sketch Released " »

Investigations are only as accurate as the individuals who conduct them. While necessary precautions are taken to ensure that test results are as accurate as possible, error can still result. According to a recent article posted on springsgov.com, the validity of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) readings arrived at by the Metro Crime Lab has been brought into question. An internal investigation revealed that some tests, administered from 2009 to the present, were determined to have been initially reported at higher levels than the actual results should have warranted. That is, approximately 82 tests have been deemed inaccurate thus far. During the time period of admitted inaccuracy, the Metro Crime Lab processed approximately 1,000 tests. Investigation into the matter and retesting of results by a Senior Forensic Chemist are both ongoing.

The cause of this problem is still being looked into, with both the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) and The Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) conducting investigations into the matter. Also, the manufacturer of the equipment used in gathering the blood alcohol concentration numbers, Agilent Technologies, has also looked into whether or not the equipment used during the testing was defective or improperly calibrated. Regardless of the reason though, individuals who were initially deemed to be above the legal limit in terms of BAC may not have been over the limit at all. Therefore, charges brought against those individuals may have been based on erroneous information.

Continue reading " Colorado Springs Metro Crime Lab Finds Errors in 2009 BAC Testing " »

According to Colorado’s ABC affiliate, KRDO News Channel 13, a traffic accident took place at the intersection of Circle Drive and Union Boulevard. The accident involved two vehicles, one of which allegedly ran through a red traffic light. Reportedly, a white van entered the intersection against the traffic light, and struck another vehicle. The driver of the struck vehicle sustained broken bones and possible spinal damage, while the injuries of the driver of the white van were not reported. However, both drivers were taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.

The driver of the white van is currently facing charges for DUI in Colorado. While the story did not go into detail regarding how law enforcement was able to come to the suspicion that the man was driving under the influence, it is safe to assume that either field sobriety tests were administered, or the police felt there was enough evidence of intoxication to establish probable cause. In any event, it is essential that sobriety tests of all kinds are properly administered by properly trained law enforcement officials to ensure that an otherwise innocent individual is not accused of DUI.

Continue reading " Alleged DUI Driver Runs Red at Circle and Union " »