BILL TRACKER: HB21-1280 passed the State Affairs Committee! 🎉 Now on to Appropriations!
Contact your State Senator
Look up your state Senator at the link below, then copy the email below and personalize for the greatest impact.
Subject: ***WRITE A UNIQUE SUBJECT LINE ***
Dear Senator [their name],
My name is [Your Name] and I am a constituent from your district. I'm writing to urge you to support HB21-1280, Pre-trial Detention Reform.
***WRITE A UNIQUE REASON YOU SUPPORT SB21-1280 ***
HB21-1280 is a critical bill to champion pretrial justice and fairness in our criminal legal system. Right now, presumptively innocent people – who have just been accused of a crime - languish in Colorado’s jails waiting for bond setting while families struggle to navigate the bureaucracy of posting bond. Newly arrested people too often wait in a cell 3-15 days before seeing a judge for bond setting. Even short jail stays can irreparably harm people and their families, as they risk losing their jobs, housing and custody of their children.
Despite the Due Process Clause requiring bond setting within 48 hours of arrest, and many successful lawsuits by the ACLU seeking justice for people held for weeks waiting to see a judge, a statewide problem remains calling out for a statewide legislative fix. Where you are in the state should not impact your ability to access justice, yet while three Colorado counties – Weld, Jefferson and Denver – ensure you see a judge within 48 hours of arrest, in other parts of the state, people wait days and weeks.
HB1280 will require bond setting within 48 hours of arrest. It will also make it easier for families to post bond for their loved ones. Importantly, it provides funding for a bond hearing officer who can hold weekend bond hearings anywhere in the state to ensure everyone has the same access to justice.
The need for this bill is urgent. Ms. Reynolds is one of too many Coloradans hurt by our current system. In August 2019, Ms. Reynolds was arrested in Mesa County on a warrant out of Boulder County. She sat in the Mesa County jail for more than two weeks after her arrest, waiting for transport to Boulder. When Ms. Reynolds, who had no criminal history, finally appeared before a judge in Boulder, she was immediately released. Soon after, the entire case was dismissed, and her arrest was sealed. While in jail, Ms. Reynolds lost her job and her family continues to be subjected to serious financial hardship as a result of her incarceration. She suffers daily from the emotional trauma of her experience.
I once again urge you to support HB21-1280. A system that operates 24/7 to arrest people must provide prompt access to justice for people who are legally innocent. Thank you for your dedication to the people of Colorado and to making our state a more just place for all.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City], [State] [Zip]
CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS
Look up your State Senator here, then call them with the script below.
Hello Senator [THEIR NAME],
My name is [YOUR NAME], I’m calling from [CITY, ZIP] and I’m asking you to support HB21-1280.
In many parts of the state, people sit in a jail cell up to weeks for bond hearing, despite being legally entitled to one within 48 hours. Where you are in the state should not impact your ability to access justice.
Families are being destabilized and harmed while legally innocent Coloradan’s languish in jail cells waiting to see a judge.
HB1280 will require bond setting within 48 hours of arrest. It will also make it easier for families to post bond for their loved ones.
Finally, it provides funding for weekend bond hearings anywhere in the state to ensure everyone has the same access to justice.
Thank you.
TWEET YOUR LEGISLATOR
Look up your State Senator here, then tweet them asking for their support. Sample tweets below.
[THEIR HANDLE] HB21-1280 is a critical bill to champion pretrial justice & the presumption of innocence. People can wait in a cell 3-15 days before a bond hearing. Even short jail stays can cause people to lose their jobs, housing & custody of their children.
[THEIR HANDLE] We need HB21-1280 because in many parts of the Colorado, people sit in a jail cell up to weeks for bond hearing, despite being legally entitled to one within 48 hours. Where you are in the state should not impact your ability to access justice.
Thank you!
Would you like to sign up to receive easy actions you can take to pass legislation to protect our most vulnerable neighbors in Colorado?