Vote NO on HB23-1169
Limit Arrest for Low-level Offenses

WHAT DOES THE BILL DO?
HB23-1169 prohibits law enforcement from employing the use of arrest for all petty offenses (except petty theft in violation of 18-4-401), all drug petty offenses, all class 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses, any comparable municipal offenses, and all municipal offenses for which there is no comparable state misdemeanor offense. Instead, the bill requires law enforcement to issue a summons in lieu of arrest. 

WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE NO
Limiting law enforcement’s ability to manage conflict within their jurisdiction poses a significant risk to public safety. There are behaviors that fall under the petty offense and municipal offense categories that threaten the safety of other community members, such as unlawful conduct on public property and trespassing. In most cases, law enforcement is already utilizing a summons when they respond to these incidents. However, in the rare instances in which individuals are unwilling to comply with law enforcement orders, stop their unlawful behavior, or vacate the area after receiving their summons, law enforcement needs to maintain its ability to arrest these individuals to stop the behavior in question and protect the broader community’s public safety.

YOUR OPPOSITION IS RESPECTFULLY REQUESTED
CML seeks a no vote on HB23-1169 due to the public safety concerns the bill creates.  

CONTACT
Mollie Steinemann, CML legislative and policy advocate