DENVER – Eight times between July 1, 2012, and July 1, 2013, someone in Colorado convicted of vehicular homicide/DUI found themselves on the fortunate end of a judge’s decision. A recent study by Colorado Legislative Council Staff found on eight occasions judges sentenced eight defendants to probation instead of jail or prison.
Colorado law does not require judges to sentence those convicted of driving drunk and killing someone to time behind bars.
Rep. Polly Lawrence (R-Littleton) had hoped to bring that practice to an end during this legislative session by introducing House Bill 1148. But on Thursday her bill died in the House Appropriations Committee.
To say she was disappointed would be an understatement.
