In Colorado the Summer of 1993 came to be known as “The Summer of Violence.” In Denver alone that year there were 5,252 violent crimes : 74 murders, 393 forcible rapes, 1,863 robberies, and 2,922 agravated assaults . The crime rate was nearly double the rate in 1993 when compared with 2009. This was an astonishing amount of violent crime that was mirrored across the country. (source: http://www.ucrdatatool.gov)

Chart of Denvers Violent Crime Rate 85' - 09'

The crime wave would trigger changes in Colorado.  A massive public outcry and hasty emergency session of the Colorado State Legislature was convened  by then Governor Roy Romer. The Legislature passed sweeping reactionary reforms that resulted in direct file for youth offenders. Prior to the passage of the direct file law in Colorado there were well defined procedures for transferring youth offenders to adult court.  The District Attorney would first make a request, followed by a hearing where the child was represented by an attorney. The judge would then rule whether the child should be charged as an adult. Direct file changed that. Continue reading →