Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits civil arrests on courthouse grounds, or while going to, attending, or coming from a court proceeding.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the civil arrest of individuals present at a courthouse or on its environs, or while going to, attending, or coming from a courthouse proceeding (Sec. 1).

• Defines “court proceeding” as a proceeding conducted by a court or under the authority of a court including but not limited to (Sec. 1):

• Accessing a service or conducting business with a court;

• A criminal proceeding;

• A civil proceeding;

• An arbitration;

• A deposition; or 

• A probation services appointment.

• Defines “environs” as the vicinity surrounding a courthouse, including but not limited to (Sec. 1):

• Sidewalks

• Driveways

• Entryways

• Green spaces; or

• Parking areas serving the courthouse.

• Requires non-duty law enforcement officers who are not employed by courthouse security or participating in a court proceeding to present credentials and state the purpose of the officer’s presence to courthouse security, who shall maintain a record of the information (Sec.1).

• Specifies that individuals who knowingly violate the provisions of this bill are liable for damages in a civil action for false imprisonment and are subject to contempt of court (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action on behalf of the people of the state for violations to obtain appropriate equitable or declaratory relief (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes individuals arrested or detained in violation of this bill to seek a writ of habeas corpus (Sec. 1).

• Requires courts to enforce protection from civil arrest at a courthouse or on its environs (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits civil arrests on courthouse grounds, or while going to, attending, or coming from a court proceeding.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the civil arrest of individuals present at a courthouse or on its environs, or while going to, attending, or coming from a courthouse proceeding (Sec. 1).

• Defines “court proceeding” as a proceeding conducted by a court or under the authority of a court including but not limited to (Sec. 1):

• Accessing a service or conducting business with a court;

• A criminal proceeding;

• A civil proceeding;

• An arbitration;

• A deposition; or 

• A probation services appointment.

• Defines “environs” as the vicinity surrounding a courthouse, including but not limited to (Sec. 1):

• Sidewalks

• Driveways

• Entryways

• Green spaces; or

• Parking areas serving the courthouse.

• Requires non-duty law enforcement officers who are not employed by courthouse security or participating in a court proceeding to present credentials and state the purpose of the officer’s presence to courthouse security, who shall maintain a record of the information (Sec.1).

• Specifies that individuals who knowingly violate the provisions of this bill are liable for damages in a civil action for false imprisonment and are subject to contempt of court (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action on behalf of the people of the state for violations to obtain appropriate equitable or declaratory relief (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes individuals arrested or detained in violation of this bill to seek a writ of habeas corpus (Sec. 1).

• Requires courts to enforce protection from civil arrest at a courthouse or on its environs (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text