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SECOND AND FINAL READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO BY THE RECOGNITION OF THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL AFFAIRS GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,000 FROM THE DEFENSE COUNCIL FIRST APPEARANCE GRANT PROGRAM AND THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXPENDITURE THEREOF
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Summary & Background
At the time of first appearance on a municipal charge, if the defendant is in custody and the charged offense includes a possible sentence of incarceration, the court is required to appoint counsel to represent the defendant for purposes of arraignment unless, after a full advisement pursuant to C.M.C.R. 210 and C.R.S. § 16-7-207, the defendant makes a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of his or her right to counsel.
If the defendant remains in custody, the appointment of counsel continues until the defendant is released from custody. If the defendant is released from custody, he or she may apply for court-appointed counsel, and the court shall appoint counsel if the court determines that the defendant is indigent and the charged offense includes a possible sentence of incarceration.
It is important that each application provide the total hours of provision of service along with the spreadsheet of actual appearances as the state is prepared to reimburse each hour for the provision of service related to first appearances at $100 per hour.
This grant will create an amendment to the 2023 Budget of the City of Commerce City, Colorado for the recognition of the funds from the Defense Counsel First Appearance Grant Program in the amount of $13,000 in The Grants Fund (180). This funding is intended to reimburse local governments for costs associated with the provision of defense counsel to certain defendants at their first appearances in municipal courts. The ordinance authorizes the expenditure of these funds accordingly.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Maya Kiesnowski, Municipal Court Supervisor
Staff Presenting: Maya Kiesnowski, will answer questions, as needed
Financial Impact: $13,000.00
Funding Source: Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Staff Recommendation: Approve Ordinance as submitted
Suggested Motion: Motion to approve Ordinance as submitted