Here's a visual aide for your ballot. Amendment H isn't what many allege it to be. The new board is not "independent." The Supreme Court reviews findings of law "de novo." What's that mean? It's not a violation of the Code of Conduct unless the Supreme Court says so. Plus, that board will hear less than 1% of complaints filed by people. H is a judicial branch ploy to avoid more responsible reforms now and in the future. Boatright is the mastermind behind H. In response to a judicial scandal, he offered legislators the ability to pick investigators as long as the judicial branch would pay for them. Legislators agreed. The result? Lame investigative reports with a lot of information redacted. More than 500 pages of investigative material were not turned over to legislators or law enforcement. Why? Boatright and the judicial branch claimed the info was privileged because they paid for the investigation. Marquez has openly lobbied the legislature and appeared in legislative hearings to keep the judicial branch from being more transparent. The Supreme Court determined that Colorado's Open Records Act does not apply to the judicial branch. Marquez has lobbied to keep it that way. Berkenkotter has been along for the ride. She has taken no steps to right the ship. Why haven't the justices stepped in to explain exactly what Amendment H will do? It's fooled so many. Newspapers have made claims that it replaces the current judicial discipline commission. It does not. It's a very confusing amendment with one word that gets so many to buy in: "independent." The adjudicative board H creates is in no way, shape, or form "independent." Judges are supposed to keep things on a fair track in court. But when it comes to H, they're leading you down the wrong path and refusing to clear up the situation. These four items on your ballot are obstacles to judicial integrity.
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Judicial IntegrityA nonpartisan nonprofit seeking to improve the justice system by advocating for laws that increase transparency, enhance accountability and remove conflicts of interest. Archives
October 2024
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