Opinion ID: 2506628
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Testimony of Deputy District Attorney Laurel Huston

Text: Laurel Huston served as the deputy district attorney in Division 1 during the relevant time period. Based on Mr. Quintana's ex-wife's statement that she would not testify against Mr. Quintana in the felony matter, Ms. Huston entered into renewed plea negotiations with Respondent. Ms. Huston eventually obtained authorization from her supervisor to reduce the felony charges against Mr. Quintana to a class 5 felony trespass. As part of the global plea agreement, the probation revocation matters would be unsuccessfully terminated without the imposition of a sentence. Ms. Huston prepared the written global plea agreement outlining these terms. In addition, Ms. Huston contacted the probation department and advised them that she and Respondent planned to ask Judge Colt for immediate sentencing following his acceptance of the global plea agreement without a pre-sentence report. At the time she made this offer, Ms. Huston reviewed a minute order in the probation revocation matters that stated the probation revocation matters were not to be transferred to district court. In addition, Respondent disclosed to Ms. Huston that Judge Acker disapproved of transferring probation revocation matters to district court. Ms. Huston nevertheless agreed to include the probation revocation matters in the plea agreement if Respondent could arrange for their transfer to county court. [10] Ms. Huston also recalled that Respondent had told her that they could dispose all matters in district court if they and Judge Colt all agreed with the disposition. [11] However, Respondent did not tell Ms. Huston that Judge Acker had ordered Respondent not to attempt to transfer or resolve the probation revocation matters in district court.