Opinion ID: 2514120
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: a. jurisdiction

Text: This case was brought before this court by the People as an interlocutory appeal. In order to resolve the issues presented, we must first determine whether we have jurisdiction to hear the merits of this case. We conclude that C.A.R. 4.1 does not authorize this appeal. However, because of the circumstances presented in this case, we exercise our original jurisdiction pursuant to C.A.R. 21. Appeals by the prosecution are governed by section 16-12-102, 6 C.R.S. (2000). In general, this section provides for specific instances in which the prosecution may file an interlocutory appeal, and also states that the procedure to be followed in filing and prosecuting appeals shall be as provided by applicable rule of the supreme court of Colorado. Id. C.A.R. 4.1 provides that the People may file an interlocutory appeal from a ruling of a district court granting a motion under Crim. P. 41(e) and (g) and Crim. P. 41.1(i). See C.A.R. 4.1. Therefore, there are three circumstances in which a trial court's suppression order is subject to review by an interlocutory appeal. Specifically, review is proper where evidence was suppressed due to an unlawful search and seizure, an involuntary confession or admission, or an improperly ordered or insufficiently supported, nontestimonial identification. See Crim. P. 41(e) and (g); Crim. P. 41.1(i). We have previously held that the subject matter of interlocutory appeals under C.A.R. 4.1 is extremely narrow. People v. Morgan, 619 P.2d 64 (Colo.1980). To this end, we have dismissed interlocutory appeals where they were not properly filed and did not seek relief under the circumstances outlined in C.A.R. 4.1. See People v. McNulty, 173 Colo. 491, 480 P.2d 560 (1971); People v. Thornburg, 173 Colo. 230, 477 P.2d 372 (1970). Interlocutory appeals under C.A.R. 4.1 may be appealed only from adverse rulings on Crim. P. 41 motions (citing People v. Fidler, 175 Colo. 90, 485 P.2d 725 (1971)). Specifically, C.A.R. 4.1 is designed to review rulings made by trial courts at suppression hearings under Crim. P. 41(e) and 41(g). People v. Lindsey, 660 P.2d 502, 504 (Colo. 1983). In this case, the challenged suppression of evidence was not based on an adverse ruling under the specified rules of criminal procedure as enumerated in C.A.R. 4.1. Thus, the evidence suppressed by the trial court in this case is not properly subject to review by interlocutory appeal under C.A.R. 4.1. We note that we have previously entertained interlocutory appeals in cases regarding the destruction of exculpatory evidence. See, e.g., People v. Wyman, 788 P.2d 1278 (Colo.1990); People v. Morgan, 199 Colo. 237, 606 P.2d 1296 (1980); People v. Roblas, 193 Colo. 496, 568 P.2d 57 (1977). But see People ex rel. Gallagher v. Dist. Court, 656 P.2d 1287 (Colo.1983)(reviewing a police failure to preserve evidence as an original proceeding pursuant to C.A.R. 21). In each of these cases brought as interlocutory appeals, we did not discuss the basis of our jurisdiction. However, we note that in those types of cases, as here, we could have assumed jurisdiction as an original proceeding pursuant to C.A.R. 21. However, those cases do not have precedential value for the exercise of this court's jurisdiction through interlocutory appeals in cases regarding the destruction of evidence. See Romer v. Bd. of County Comm'rs, 956 P.2d 566, 570 n. 4 (Colo.1998). Although the People improperly brought this case as an interlocutory appeal, we have the ability to consider the case on its merits as an original proceeding pursuant to the Colorado Constitution and C.A.R. 21. Colo. Const. art. VI, § 3; C.A.R. 21; People v. Young, 814 P.2d 834, 836-39 (Colo.1991). The exercise of original jurisdiction is discretionary. Jones v. Dist. Court, 780 P.2d 526, 528 (Colo.1989). Original jurisdiction may be appropriate where an otherwise interlocutory ruling may have a significant impact on a party's ability to litigate the merits of a controversy. Id. An original proceeding can also be used to test whether the trial court is proceeding without or in excess of its jurisdiction, or to review a serious abuse of discretion when an appellate remedy would not be adequate. People v. Dist. Court, 790 P.2d 332, 334-35 (Colo.1990). In this case, the People's ability to litigate the issues has been significantly impaired by the trial court's ruling suppressing all of the testimony by witnesses who viewed the videotape, and any derivative evidence from the videotape. Moreover, appellate review of the trial court's order would be an inadequate remedy. If the People proceed to trial on the merits, notwithstanding the exclusion of the evidence, and Braunthal is acquitted, jeopardy will attach. People v. Dist. Court, 793 P.2d 163, 166 (Colo.1990); People v. Dist. Court, 664 P.2d 247, 251 (Colo.1983). Thus, although the People could appeal the trial court's order suppressing the evidence subsequent to the trial, Braunthal could not be retried due to double jeopardy considerations. Accordingly, we conclude that the exercise of original jurisdiction is appropriate under the circumstances of this case.