Author: George Brauchler
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COLUMN: ‘Truth in sentencing’ initiative is common sense | George Brauchler
Last Friday, Derron Harris accepted a plea bargain from the Denver D.A.’s office for his murder of an Ohio man and the shooting of his wife while they rented a car. Headlines announced that Harris faced “up to 60 years” in prison. Nonsense. Harris, like every violent criminal who is not convicted of first-degree murder,…
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COLUMN: Legislative lawsuit is more glory than guts | George Brauchler
We have lowered the bar for what constitutes courage. Nearly two months to the day after the 2023 legislative session ended — after all bills passed by the General Assembly were signed into law by Gov. Polis — two progressive Democrat state representatives filed a lawsuit against the House leadership claiming that their colleagues (Democrats…
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COLUMN: Two chart-toppers — one in pop, the other in crime | George Brauchler
The biggest pop star in the world is bringing back-to-back performances to a city still struggling to Swiftly deal with rampant crime and its associated cost. At the same time, the Bronx Bombers will fill Coors Field with Yankees fans who might feel more safe in the Bronx than they do on the streets of…
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COLUMN: Phil Weiser has had a bad run at bat | George Brauchler
You could be forgiven if you thought Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser played for our Rockies. Last week, with the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) was a particular disaster, but the former law school dean’s performance throughout the entire SCOTUS session seems better suited to Coors Field than a courtroom. Unless there was…
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COLUMN: Bailing out killers in Polis’ Colorado | George Brauchler
Murderers across Colorado are now entitled to hang out in our communities thanks solely to a murderer-friendly law signed by Gov. Jared Polis. This week, the Colorado Supreme Court reminded our state of the predictable, predicted and intended consequence of Polis’ 2020 repeal of capital punishment: bail for all murderers. Colorado’s Constitution has long held…
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COLUMN: Trump fiasco mocks rule of law | George Brauchler
The recent indictment of Donald Trump represents the greatest potential risk to the criminal justice system and the rule of law in our lifetimes, and there is no easy way to avoid long-term damage. This is the proverbial “damned if we do, damned if we don’t” scenario. Admittedly, my perspective — my bias — is…
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COLUMN: ‘Red flag’ lawsuit is about money, not justice | George Brauchler
Attorneys looking to squeeze a Colorado county out of millions of dollars in a quick settlement over yet another high-profile, threatened and specious lawsuit against a law enforcement agency have shown up in El Paso County. At first blush, the claims appear to be unprecedented, contrary to our statutes and case law, and frivolous. Let…
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COLUMN: Theft without consequences in Colorado | George Brauchler
It is OK to steal in Colorado. That is the message that is being fostered by state government and private business throughout our state. It is a subtle attack on private property rights, and a rewriting of personal accountability and a basic understanding of right and wrong. Right now, in our state, theft remains a…
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Dems dismantle Colorado’s justice system | George Brauchler
Earlier this week, the wailing of air raid sirens across Colorado trailed off as 120 days of legislative bombing runs came to an end. There was no ceasefire. There is no peace. Those in control of our Capitol simply ran out of time. But they will be back. As Coloradans come out of their bunkers…
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COLUMN: Dems dismantle Colorado’s justice system | George Brauchler
This week, the wailing of air raid sirens across Colorado trailed off as 120 days of legislative bombing runs came to an end. There was no cease-fire. There is no peace. Those in control of our Capitol simply ran out of time. But they will be back. As Coloradans come out of their bunkers for…