The Aurora City Council is considering a plan to transition domestic violence cases from municipal court to state, county, or federal court by July 1, 2025. During a recent study session, council members discussed the potential impacts of the transition on victims and county courts but did not make a final decision. Some council members expressed concern about ensuring that victims are not left behind during the transition period, while others argued that only future cases would be affected. The proposed ordinance aims to alleviate the workload of Aurora’s municipal court, which currently handles about 1,600 domestic violence cases each year. Public defenders in the city handle over 4,000 cases annually, with a budget of $2.2 million. The ordinance was first presented by Mayor Pro Tem Dustin Zvonek and Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky, who believe that the transition would benefit both victims and the court system. However, there are concerns about the financial implications and the readiness of county courts to take on additional cases. The issue has been ongoing since May, with delays in decision-making due to disagreements among council members. Despite these challenges, the discussion will continue in future meetings to address stakeholder concerns and ensure a smooth transition process. If approved, Aurora would join other municipalities in Colorado, like Lakewood, Westminster, and Denver, in transitioning domestic violence cases out of municipal court.
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