Forensic Lab Misconduct: How to Get Help

The Colorado justice system has been rocked by recent revelations of laboratory misconduct and DNA data manipulations and deletions. Per the terms of a new law, if the misconduct may have affected your case, you are required to be given notice by the district attorney’s office that prosecuted your case. The law may entitle you to the assistance of a court-appointed lawyer who can help you investigate this issue.

If you received such a notice or you otherwise have knowledge that laboratory misconduct affected your case:

STEP 1: Fill out a Public Defender Application

If you are in custody and would like a lawyer to help you, you may contact the Colorado Public Defender directly in any of the following ways:

If you are in custody, you do not need to fill out an application—you simply need to contact the Colorado Public Defender. Once we receive a request for assistance from you, we can file the paperwork with the court to have a lawyer appointed. The lawyer may or may not be from the Colorado Public Defender.

The request for a lawyer must come from you and will not happen automatically.

All questions should be directed to the above contacts. Please be prepared to provide:

• Your name
• Case number
• County of conviction
• DOC number
• Place of incarceration (if applicable)

Application (Aplicación para solicitar un abogado defensor público):

• Application for an adult accused (Solicitud para un hombre o una mujer acusados)
• Application for a youth accused (Solicitud de niño o niña acusado)
• Application in other languages

Using a smartphone to complete the application?

Learn more here.

If you are in jail, you automatically qualify for our services. Learn more about the first 48 hours after arrest.

STEP 2: Collect Proof of Income and Other Documentation

Proof of your or, where under 18, your parental/guardian/custodian income must be provided which may include:

• Pay stubs
• Income tax returns
• Letters from employers
• Award letters from SSI or unemployment

Supporting Documentation

You may need information about the finances of other members of your household. Household income includes any family member living in the household who is working and contributing to the common support of the household. It does not include a roommate’s income unless you have access to and proprietary rights in your roommate’s income. Please refer to the Applications for Public Defender in Adult and Juvenile cases for more information regarding the required financial documentation or contact any public defender office.

STEP 3: Bring, Mail, or Email Your Application

Please send your application directly to FSIA-inquiries@coloradodefenders.us or bring or mail your application to 410 17^th Street, Suite 22, Denver, CO 80202.

If you have questions about whether you may be eligible for a lawyer because of lab misconduct, you may contact the Colorado Public Defender at FSIA-inquiries@coloradodefenders.us or 303-353-0761, extension 6418.