Title
Municipal Court and Legal Service IGA
Body
Summary and Background Information:
Synopsis:
The purpose of this item is to discuss two Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA); One related to the operation of Municipal Court and the other related to legal services for disadvantaged residents.
Municipal Court Operations IGA:
The municipal court has benefited from the ability to conduct video arraignments for defendants incarcerated in the Adams County Jail. These arraignments require jail staff to bring the defendant from their assigned jail cell to the video arrangement room for the hearing to take place. This was previously done with deputy sheriffs; the cost was previously a sheriff's budget item. The sheriff has experienced a significant increase in video arraignments for county and municipal courts throughout Adams County. The sheriff has indicated that he cannot continue to provide these services at no cost. Moving forward, the sheriff has offered to run all municipal arraignments with non-sworn bailiffs, which will reduce the total cost and is requesting that the municipalities cover the cost associated with this service, beginning in 2019. A draft IGA is under development and will be brought to City Council for consideration in the near future. The proposed terms include a one-year term with two annual renewals for a total annual cost of approximately $15,000 for Commerce City.
Colorado Legal Service IGA:
The proposed program of services that would be provided by Colorado Legal Services (CLS) to residents in Adams County and Broomfield County through an agreement among the participant entities. The two-year pilot program is intended to provide legal assistance to low and moderate-income individuals focused on landlord/tenant issues, including representation in the county courts. Services will be provided at an office in Brighton and another office at a central location that is accessible to potential clients. The offices would be utilized by CLS, at no...
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