Colorado § 16-12-302 - Legislative declaration.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-12-302 — Legislative declaration., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-12-302. Legislative declaration.
(1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
(a) An effective criminal justice system requires that crime laboratory employees act with integrity and that crime laboratories have controls to prevent and detect knowing misconduct and violations of procedures and properly investigate and report misconduct when it occurs;
(b) Prosecutors, defendants, and victims deserve transparency and to be notified of misconduct by crime laboratory employees who handle evidence used in criminal cases;
(c) The criminal justice system must provide an opportunity to timely and fairly litigate cases in which there was misconduct by a crime laboratory employee that could affect, or did affect, the outcome of a case; and
(d) Defendants must be afforded the right to counsel, the right to full disclosure of the misconduct, and the right to an evidentiary hearing in order to adequately address the impact of misconduct by crime laboratory employees.
(2) The general assembly intends that this part 3 be interpreted to accomplish the policies declared in this section.
Source: L. 2025: Entire part added, (HB 25-1275), ch. 352, p. 1891, § 1, effective June 2.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 16-12-302
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-12-302 cover?
Section 16-12-302 ("Legislative declaration.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 16-12-302?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-12-302" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 16-12-302 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.