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Criminal INjustice

Criminal INjustice

by Casey Krizman

News Commentary Society & Culture

Season 2

Councilwoman Gonzales-Gutierrez's 'Justice Gene'

Denver Councilwoman Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez never lets go of her last job. Now, as an at-large councilwoman representing all Denver residents, she breaks down barriers she encountered in her previous roles: As an advocate for kids in trouble with the system, for victims of family violence, and for her own kids growing up in Denver. She is one of three councilwomen pushing a municipal court reform bill through the council. The core issue: Jailing people should not be the first and only tool we use in solving the city's problems.

Are Parolees Ready For The Outside?

JoyBelle Phelan spent seven years incarcerated in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Today she runs Unbound Authors, a writing center active in 13 Colorado state prisons. She joins host Casey Krizman to make the case that the most important reentry skill isn't vocational training or a GED. It's communication. How to write a professional email. How to take feedback. How to work on a team. In this episode, JoyBelle breaks down why the reentry gap is structural, what it costs Colorado communities when over 6,000 people a year leave prison unprepared, and what you can do about it. Resources: Unbound Authors, https://unboundauthors.org/ Colorado Radio for Justice: https://www.radioforjustice.org/podcasts

The lawyers who battle corporations

Personal injury attorneys play an important role in fighting the INjustice system. If not for them, people injured by corporations and/or fighting an insurance company would be at the mercy of deep-pocketed corporations with armies of lawyers. In this episode, Casey Krizman sits down with Sean Olson, whose firm helps people injured in hospitals, oil fields, and roadways get their bills paid and reimbursement for other losses. The “PI attorneys” often get a bad rap, but Sean explains how the cases he has handled reinforce his confidence that he is, indeed, balancing the scales of justice for his clients.

UPDATE: Victory for No More Prisons Coalition

In this bonus episode of Criminal Injustice, Casey Krizman breaks down a historic win for criminal justice reform in Colorado. For the first time in 25 years, the Joint Budget Committee denied the Department of Corrections' request for 788 new prison beds—a direct result of advocates and lawmakers demanding smarter solutions. Casey explores what's really driving overcrowding, from underfunded parole systems and community corrections to low-level violations sending people back behind bars, and makes the case that common sense and compassion can replace the default impulse to cage more humans.

Season 1

Wrongfully Accused: How a Father Fought the System and Won

In this episode of Criminal INjustice, defense attorney Casey Krizman sits down with fellow trial lawyer Eric Faddis to unpack one of Colorado’s most shocking wrongful prosecution cases. Eric shares the story of a father falsely accused of killing his infant daughter — and how the truth, buried under bias and bureaucracy, finally came to light. Together, Casey and Eric expose the human toll of the criminal INjustice system, the failures of medical and prosecutorial oversight, and the fight for reform inside and outside the courtroom. They discuss: --How tunnel vision and “baby killer” headlines nearly destroyed an innocent man. --What it takes to stand up to powerful prosecutors and expert witnesses. --Why independent medical review boards could save lives — and justice. --The media’s role in shaping public perception of guilt and innocence. If you care about truth, accountability, and real reform, this conversation will hit hard.

Why caging people doesn't work

In this episode, we sound the alarm on Colorado politicians' trend toward ineffective "tough on crime” laws. Defense attorney Casey Krizman speaks with Kyle Giddings, a lobbyist for the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition. They unpack how punitive ballot measures and parole maneuvers cause unnecessary caging of humans. For the first time in 22 years, Colorado is faced with having to build more prison cells. Giddings debunks arguments for upcoming ballot measures that would increase sentences for fentanyl and theft, and that would increase the number of defendants caged before trial. Giddings argues in favor of investments in housing, treatment, and reentry. Learn how the No More Prisons Coalition is mobilizing voters to defend reform and fight crime through prevention. To join the No More Prisons coalition: https://www.ccjrc.org/get-involved/ The CCJRC's "Crisis In Corrections" report, January 2024 https://www.ccjrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1-9-24-CCJRC-Crisis-in-Corrections-Inmate-Experience-Report-final-1.pdf

Fighting Municipal Court INjustice

Host Casey Krizman interviews Representative Javier Mabrey about House Bill 1147, which addresses Colorado's inconsistent municipal court system. Mabrey explains how location determines sentencing severity, with poverty-related offenses receiving harsher penalties depending on jurisdiction. The bill aims to standardize sentencing guidelines and protect due process rights for all Coloradans. Mabrey, raised in poverty and now an eviction attorney, continues fighting for economic justice and criminal system reform. Show notes: Write to support HB 1147, the Fairness & Transparency in Municipal Courts Act, at: GovernorPolis@state.co.us Javier Mabrey's organization to fight for economic justice is the Community Economic Defense Project, https://cedproject.org/ #CriminalJusticeReform #ColoradoLaw #SentencingReform #DueProcess

CBI evidence tampering

Veteran defense attorney Mary Claire Mulligan says the state Legislature should shut down the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and “rebuild from scratch.” The lab where crime evidence has been mishandled for more than 10 years has not responded adequately to the scandal and lawmakers have not done enough to rectify the problems it created, Mulligan said in an interview on the podcast “Criminal INjustice with Casey Krizman.” Mulligan, who has been a defense attorney for 33 years, said the state should take these steps: Shut down CBI completely and rebuild from scratch. Demand complete transparency and access to all CBI data. Appoint a special master to oversee case reviews. Fund post-conviction attorneys to handle affected cases. Urge state lawmakers to hold CBI accountable. For those who believe their cases may have been affected, Mulligan recommends: Contacting their original lawyer or another criminal defense attorney. Filing a Form 4 (Petition for Post-Conviction Relief) with the court. Contacting the public defender system and the alternate defense counsel, letting them know of your situation because “the squeaky wheel gets the grease here.”

Immigrant INjustice

In this episode of Criminal INjustice, Trial Attorney Casey Krizman interviews Immigration Attorney Andrew Younkins. They cover a lot of ground, including what people concerned about getting caught in the ICE dragnet should do. Key point: Immigrants who have attorneys are many times more likely to win their right to stay in the country and to be released from ICE prison. Unfortunately, very few people caught in the ICE dragnet have access to lawyers and often spend months in ICE prison waiting for their day in immigration court. People concerned about the issue of immigrant rights may donate money or time to these organizations: Colorado Immigrant Justice Fund, a pool of donated money used to pay for legal representation for immigrants. Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, which provides low-cost or no-cost legal representation to immigrants. Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, a umbrella organization for groups working on immigrant rights across the state. They also provide training and preparedness documents. People concerned about getting stopped by authorities and questioned about immigrant status should carry a “Red Card / Tarjetas Rojas,” which lists what to do and your rights in these situations. The card is available several places online, including here. Andrew Younkins can be reached at 720-310-5162, 14261 E. Fourth Ave., Suite 6-307, aly-law.com.

Change the things you can

In his debut podcast, Criminal Defense Attorney Casey Krizman starts with the basics: Control that which you can control. People caught up in the criminal INjustice system feel overwhelmed and helpless. Casey advises his clients to start gaining control step-by-step -- starting with taking care of yourself physically and mentally. In Episode 1, Casey talks with Oliver Vaughn of REVO Physiotherapy and Sports Performance. Oliver is a body worker – someone who uses massage and physical training to help people of all walks of life improve their breathing and conditioning, leading to overall wellbeing. While physical wellbeing and criminal injustice may not seem entwined, the fact is when your life is turned upside down, find something you can control and that no one can take away from you. It can be a game-changer to get you through a traumatic experience. Resources mentioned in the show: Whealth -- Online resource for exercise to relieve back pain. Kneesovertoesguy -- YouTube videos of accessible exercise routines

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