[Opinion] Despite tough talk, Colorado justices punch holes in 2021 crime victim restitution ruling

Despite tough talk, Colorado justices punch holes in 2021 crime victim restitution ruling

In a package of five opinions released on Tuesday, the Colorado Supreme Court stood by its general interpretation of the state's crime victim restitution law from four years ago, while it simultaneously agreed that some judges' violations of the law are not subject to challenge.

Defense Win: No causal nexus for restitution based on charges of harboring or aiding a felon

State v. Daecorion J. Robinson, 2022AP2087-CR, 5/28/25, District I (not recommended for publication); case activity In a rare “causal nexus” win, 2 judges in D1 agree that the circuit court’s order was infirm. Under the text of the restitution statute, Robinson’s aiding a felon does not make him liable for the consequences of that felon’s underlying criminal conduct. Robinson was the passenger in a car involved in a fatal hit-and-run. (¶3). His …