Written Testimony, Bill 17-0513, Denver City Council (Safety, Housing, Education & Homelessness Committee)

Written testimony concerning a bill proposing a revision to the sentencing scheme for violations of Denver municipal ordinances. The testimony argues that while the bill takes important steps toward disentangling the criminal justice system of the City and County of Denver from the federal immigration enforcement system, and toward reforming the one-size-fits-all municipal criminal code, it falls short in: (1) retaining the possibility of a one-year sentence, creating entanglement with immigration enforcement; and (2) not taking additional steps to disentangle Denver's criminal justice system, such as decriminalizing code violations; establishing tiers of fine-only violations, for which jail is not a possible sentence; limiting arrest authority, so that more ordinance violations are handled via summons without arrest; creating procedures for community members to clear warrants without arrest or incarceration; and creating procedures for community members to resolve ordinance violations without appearing in court.