Opinion ID: 2516086
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: An original proceeding under C.A.R. 21 is an extraordinary remedy that is limited in purpose and availability. People v. Dist. Court, 868 P.2d 400, 403 (Colo.1994). It is a proper remedy in cases where the trial court has abused its discretion and where an appellate remedy would not be adequate. Halaby, McCrea & Cross v. Hoffman, 831 P.2d 902, 905 (Colo.1992). We generally elect to hear cases under C.A.R. 21 that raise issues of significant public importance that we have not yet considered. City & County of Denver v. Dist. Court, 939 P.2d 1353, 1361 (Colo.1997). In the present case, the trial court has issued an order compelling the defendant to disclose communications that he contends are protected by privilege. Post-trial review would not provide adequate relief since any privileged communications would have already been revealed by the time the case reached an appellate court. See People v. Bloom, 193 N.Y. 1, 85 N.E. 824, 826 (1908) ([W]hen a secret is out, it is out for all time, and cannot be caught again like a bird, and put back in its cage.). Further, because of the trial court's order refusing to conduct a pretrial hearing on whether Wesp may be permitted to call the defendant's attorneys as witnesses at trial, defense counsel has been forced to withdraw as trial counsel. The scope of the attorney-client privilege and the ability of a party to force opposing counsel to withdraw are issues of great significance to our legal system. Therefore, we exercise original jurisdiction in this case.