DISCOVERY UNIT – BOULDER DISTRICT ATTORNEY
In criminal proceedings, the right to “discovery” refers to the
right of the accused person, or “defendant”, to obtain access to the information
the District Attorney’s Office will rely upon to prosecute a case. With that
information, the defendant can test the prosecution’s evidence and prepare their
defense.
The right to discovery entitles a defendant to purchase copies of all the
police reports pertaining to the case, as well as any witness statements,
reports of experts, photographs, and any audio or visual recordings that will be
used to prove the case against a defendant. In Colorado criminal cases,
the right to discovery is governed by Rule 16 of the Colorado Rules of Criminal
Procedure.
After a case has been referred
to our office by a law enforcement agency and charges have been filed, the
District Attorney’s Office will open a case on the defendant. All police
reports for the case are then requested and placed in the case file when they
are received. The police reports received from a law enforcement agency become
the “discovery” in the case.
Once a file has been opened by
the District Attorney’s Office, a defendant has the right to obtain discovery
based on a reasonable per-page fee.When discovery is available, it can be paid for and
picked up at the District Attorney’s Office anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. during regular county workdays. At the time discovery is picked up, full
payment must be made for all cases in which original or supplemental discovery
is available. No discovery will be provided if there is an outstanding order
for discovery that is unpaid. Only checks or cash can be accepted as payment
for discovery. No credit cards are accepted.
If a case is filed at the Longmont courthouse,
discovery will be made available at the District Attorney’s Office in Longmont.
If a case is filed at the Boulder courthouse,
discovery will be made available at the District Attorney’s Office in Boulder.
Felony
Cases
Traffic/Misdemeanor Cases
Juvenile Cases
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