Press Release - Oct 1, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
MONDAY, OCT. 1, 2007
CONTACT:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
GOV. RITTER NAMES APPOINTEES TO COLORADO COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE
Gov. Bill Ritter today announced his 12 appointees to the new Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, a 26-member panel established by House Bill 07-1358 to undertake a comprehensive analysis of Colorado's criminal code, sentencing laws, prevention programs and other aspects of the criminal-justice system.
The Commission will be composed of experts in criminal justice, corrections, mental health, drug abuse, victims' rights, higher education, juvenile justice, local government and other pertinent disciplines. It will conduct an evidence-based review, and report annually to the Governor, legislature and the chief justice of the state Supreme Court.
Gov. Ritter's 12 appointees to the Commission are:
Melissa M. Esquibel, Pueblo criminal defense attorney
Rhonda Fields of Aurora, mother of 22-year-old murder victim Javad Marshall-Fields
Regis F. Groff, former Colorado lawmaker
Peter G. Hautzinger, district attorney, 21st Judicial District (Mesa County)
Regina Huerter, executive director, Denver Crime Prevention & Control Commission
David S. Kaplan, criminal defense attorney, former Colorado State Public Defender
William C. Kilpatrick, police chief, city of Golden
Reo N. Leslie Jr., director, Colorado School for Family Therapy
Don Quick, district attorney, 17th Judicial District (Adams & Broomfield counties)
Grayson Robinson, sheriff, Arapahoe Country
Steven R. Siegel, director of program development, Denver District Attorney's Office
Debra L. Zwirn, county commissioner, Logan County
Terms for the Governor's initial 12 appointees are for two years. All subsequent terms are for three years.
Other members of the commission will include: the executive directors or their designees of the state departments of Public Safety, Corrections, Human Services and Higher Education; the Attorney General; State Public Defender; chairs of the State Parole Board and Juvenile Parole Board; two members appointed by the chief justice of the Colorado Supreme Court; and four members appointed by legislative leadership of both parties.