Source: https://cbaclelegalconnection.com/2014/04/21/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 18:45:14+00:00

Document:
On Monday, April 21, 2014, the Colorado Supreme Court issued two published opinions.
The Colorado Supreme Court issued its opinion in three consolidated cases, People v. Baez-Lopez, People v. Canto-Bojorquez, and People v. Soto-Lopez, on Monday, April 21, 2014.
Colorado Wiretap Statute—Statutory Sealing Requirement for Wiretap Recordings—CRS § 16-15-102(8)(a).
The trial court suppressed wiretap evidence in three criminal cases when it concluded that the wiretap recordings were not sealed pursuant to written directions from the judge who authorized the wiretap. The Supreme Court held that CRS § 16-15-102(8)(a) does not require sealing directions to be written and that oral sealing directions are sufficient. The Court also held that the statute does not require a judge’s physical involvement in sealing wiretap recordings or any specific method of sealing. Accordingly, the Court reversed the suppression orders and remanded these cases to the trial court for further proceedings.
The Colorado Supreme Court issued its opinion in Hoang v. People on Monday, April 21, 2014.
In this appeal, the Supreme Court considered (1) whether shackling a defendant at trial in a manner not plainly visible to the jury violates a defendant’s due process right; and (2) whether delays and deficiencies in the record on appeal violate a defendant’s rights to a meaningful and a speedy appeal. The Court held that when the record does not show that restraints were plainly visible, the defendant must point to something in the record justifying an appellate court’s reasonable inference that at least one juror saw or heard them; if a defendant fails to meet that burden, then the constitutional harmless error standard announced in Deck v. Missouri, 544 U.S. 622 (2005), does not apply. The Court held that defendant was not deprived of his due process rights to a meaningful and a speedy appeal because he was not prejudiced by deficiencies in the record or by the delay. The Court relied on a modified version of the speedy trial factors in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514 (1972), as the analytical framework for evaluating whether there has been a due process violation. The judgment was affirmed.
The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its opinion in Cohlmia v. St. John Medical Center on Monday, April 21, 2014.
This case arose from two surgeries performed by Dr. Cohlmia, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon at St. John, a Tulsa hospital. The surgeries resulted in the death of one of the patients and the permanent disfigurement of the other. As a result, the hospital conducted a review, concluded that Dr. Cohlmia had failed to follow proper medical protocols, and suspended his staff privileges. St. John’s medical executive committee and its board of directors also reviewed the evidence and agreed with the decision to suspend Dr. Cohlmia.
The attorney fee award was affirmed.
On Monday, April 21, 2014, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals issued one published opinion and four unpublished opinions.
Strachan v. Pandaw Cruises India Pvt. Ltd.
Governor Hickenlooper signed nine more bills into law last Friday, bringing the total of signed bills up to 147 with two vetoed bills. The nine signed on April 18, 2014, are summarized here.
HB 14-1057 – Concerning the Colorado Fraud Investigators Unit, by Rep. Clarice Navarro and Sen. Steve King. The bill increases the fraud investigation surcharge on Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings with the Secretary of State from $3 to $4 per filing, effective July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2017.
HB 14-1100 – Concerning the Use of Title Documents to Give Notice of Characteristics of Motor Vehicles that Affect a Vehicle’s Value, and, In Connection Therewith, Making an Appropriation, by Reps. Spencer Swalm & Dan Pabon and Sen. Kevin Grantham. The bill requires that a branding be placed on the title of a motor vehicle if the vehicle meets certain criteria, such as if the vehicle is non-repairable, was constructed from two or more vehicles, is junk, and so on.
HB 14-1141 – Concerning the Confidentiality of Social Security Numbers Under Statutes Protecting the Privacy of Individuals, by Rep. Don Coram and Sen. Ellen Roberts. The bill amends a statute within the Colorado Consumer Protection Act to provide that an organization may not require disclosure of an individual’s SSN in order for that individual to serve on the organization’s board of directors.
HB 14-1186 – Concerning the Release of Medical Records to a Person Other Than the Patient, and, In Connection Therewith, Setting Reasonable Fees to be Paid for the Release of the Medical Records, by Rep. Sue Schafer and Sen. Irene Aguilar. The bill requires health care facilities and providers to release medical records to anyone with a valid authorization or subpoena, and sets reasonable costs for copying the medical records.
HB 14-1254 – Concerning a Requirement to Disclose Fees Charged to a Unit Owners’ Association by a Community Association Manager, by Rep. Jeanne Labuda and Sen. David Balmer. The bill requires a licensed community association manager who provides services to an HOA to fully disclose all fees and costs that will be charged to the HOA or unit owners.
HB 14-1282 – Concerning the Specification of What Materials May Be Provided in a Language Other Than English by an Insurer to a Customer, by Rep. Dan Pabon and Sen. Lois Tochtrop. The bill specifies that an insurer providing materials to a customer in a language other than English need only supply copies in English of the insurance policies, endorsements, and riders.
HB 14-1308 – Concerning Procedures for a Department to Vary an Appropriation, by Rep. Cheri Gerou and Sen. Pat Steadman. The bill, a Joint Budget Committee bill, allows agencies to overexpend appropriations or transfer funds between agencies to cover certain costs in certain situations.
HB 14-1340 – Concerning the State Toxicology Laboratory, and, In Connection Therewith, Making an Appropriation, by Rep. Cheri Gerou and Sen. Kent Lambert. The bill, a Joint Budget Committee bill, requires the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to operate a State Toxicology Laboratory on or before July 1, 2015 in order to assist local law enforcement authorities in their enforcement of DUI laws.
HB 14-1341 – Concerning a Transfer of Moneys from the State General Fund to the Department of State Cash Fund for the Purpose of Repaying a Prior Transfer, by Rep. Jenise May and Sen. Pat Steadman. The bill, a Joint Budget Committee bill, requires the state treasurer to make a one-time transfer of general fund moneys to the Department of State cash fund in order to repay moneys borrowed during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
Governor Hickenlooper plans to sign HB 14-1337 – Concerning an Increase in the General Fund Reserve, a Joint Budget Committee bill, today, April 21, 2014, at a press conference.
On Friday, April 18, 2014, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals issued no published opinions and four unpublished opinions.

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