Page Contents A Brief Overview of the Colorado Judiciary Article VI of the Colorado Constitution Configuration of a Colorado Courtroom Description of a Criminal Case from Investigation Through Trial Educational Handouts Organization of the Colorado Courts The Steps in an Appellate Proceeding

The Classroom to Courtroom Project is a cooperative, educational experience developed between a school district, school, or teacher and the Seventeenth Judicial District that permits first-hand opportunities for students of all ages to observe and learn about the legal process.

The Classroom to Courtroom Project offers the following educational and interactive experience:

Courtroom Observation.  Students are afforded the opportunity to watch actual trials while they are in progress.  Educational handouts will be made available to assist teachers explain the process to students.  Where feasible, a Judge or Magistrate will be made available to explain the proceedings to the students in a brief question and answer session.

Classroom Lecture.  A Judge or Magistrate attends a classroom or school to discuss courtroom procedure and law related issues.

Mock Trials.  Simulated trials are "litigated" by students with a Judge or Magistrate presiding over the mock court proceedings.

Educational Handouts.  General educational handouts and booklets describing the judicial hierarchy, procedures, and legal process are made available to teachers for courtroom use.

Custom Tailored Presentations.  A Seventeenth Judicial District staff member will work with an educator and a Judge or Magistrate to coordinate a presentation which is customized to meet any special or specific classroom presentation which a teacher has developed.

For more information, please contact Ms. Lynette Merich, Seventeenth Judicial District Court Administrative Assistant at (303) 654-3236.  You can obtain more information in the Classroom to Courtroom Brochure  in Adobe Acrobat format.  You may obtain a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader by clicking on the Adobe Reader graphic below.

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Informational Handouts

In order to access the informational handouts on this page, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer.  If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you may obtain a free copy of the reader by clicking on the graphic below:

Article VI of the Colorado State Constitution--The Judicial Department

The Judicial Department for the State of Colorado was created by Article VI of the Colorado Constitution.  This Article of the Colorado State Constitution, just like Article III of the United States Constitution which governs the Federal Court system, establishes the courts in the State of Colorado, their powers, and their duties.  All authority for the Colorado State Courts to act is derived from this Article of the Colorado State Constitution as well as acts which have been passed by the Colorado General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor of the State of Colorado. 

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A Brief Overview of the Colorado Judiciary

Colorado Courts at a Glance  is a booklet created by the Colorado Supreme Court and the Colorado State Court Administrator's Office which gives an excellent overview of the courts, court officials, administrative services and other matters related to the Judicial Department's functions and duties, court proceedings and legal terms.  The booklet can be used as a classroom aid. 

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A History of the Seventeenth Judicial District and Its Judges

A History of the Seventeenth Judicial District gives a brief overview of the evolution of the Seventeenth Judicial District from the grant of statehood to the State of Colorado to present.  Judges of the Seventeenth Judicial District, 1959 to Date provides brief biographical sketches of the judges who have served on the bench in Adams County and the City and County of Broomfield.

Organization of the Colorado Courts

The Organization of the Colorado Courts includes both state and municipal courts.  The state court system includes the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and twenty-two local judicial districts which include District Courts and County Courts.  Cities and towns have Municipal Courts which are regulated by the Colorado Supreme Court but are not part of the state court system.

Configuration of a Colorado Courtroom

Traditionally, courtrooms have been configured with the Plaintiff's, Petitioner's or People's table being closest to the jury and the Defendant's or Respondent's table being on the opposite side of the courtroom.  This is because the party closest to the jury has the burden of proof, therefore, by tradition, should have more scrutiny by the jury.

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Description of a Criminal Case from Investigation through Trial

The stages of a criminal case start with the investigative stage and proceed through a jury trial where the Defendant, or person accused of a crime, is either found guilty or not guilty.  After this process is complete, either party can take an appeal and go through an appellate proceeding.

The Steps in an Appellate Proceeding

An appeal  has very specific stages as well.  This process determines whether the decision in the lower court was legally correct.

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