Michael Karlik
@michaelkarlik.bsky.social
Judicial reporter at coloradopolitics.com and gazette.com. Shining a light on the work of our state and federal judges. Plus, full-time bird caretaker.
Pinned
Tear It Down | Substack
A small group of outsiders wanted to change their city for the better. So they got elected. And then the revenge began. Listen on iTunes: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&...
tearitdownpodcast.substack.com
During the first Trump term, I released an 8-episode podcast chronicling a small Ohio city where a group of political dissidents took control of the council, drove out the longtime Democratic mayor, and governed chaotically. This seems like a good time to resurface it:
tearitdownpodcast.substack.com
tearitdownpodcast.substack.com
The Colorado Supreme Court's Civil Rules Committee advanced a proposal that would make it easier for tenants to learn about and respond to their landlord's eviction complaint. However, the vote was a close 12-8, as some members worried about overreach:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/09/c...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/09/c...
Colorado Supreme Court committee advances tenant-friendly rule change
The Colorado Supreme Court's Civil Rules Committee advanced a proposal on Friday that would make it easier for tenants facing eviction to respond to and learn about their landlord’s initial court fili...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:40 PM
The Colorado Supreme Court's Civil Rules Committee advanced a proposal that would make it easier for tenants to learn about and respond to their landlord's eviction complaint. However, the vote was a close 12-8, as some members worried about overreach:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/09/c...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/09/c...
NEW: An El Paso County judge removed a prosecutor from a murder case because he told the victim's family he hoped the defendant would stab public defenders if released from custody. By 5-1, the Colorado Supreme Court today said he could remain on the case:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/10/c...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/10/c...
Colorado justices: El Paso County judge erred by removing prosecutor for comments about stabbing public defenders
The Colorado Supreme Court, by 5-1, concluded on Monday that an El Paso County judge mistakenly removed a prosecutor from a murder case after he was overheard saying he hoped the defendant would stab ...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:21 PM
NEW: An El Paso County judge removed a prosecutor from a murder case because he told the victim's family he hoped the defendant would stab public defenders if released from custody. By 5-1, the Colorado Supreme Court today said he could remain on the case:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/10/c...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/10/c...
A Fremont County judge reduced the severity of a felony charge because the DA's office didn't disclose police reports to the defense -- reports that, in reality, didn't exist. The Court of Appeals reinstated the more severe charge:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/a...
Appeals court reverses Fremont County judge's sanction on DA's office over evidence misunderstanding
Colorado's second-highest court ruled on Thursday that a Fremont County judge was wrong to reduce the severity of a criminal charge because she believed the district attorney's office failed to turn o...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
A Fremont County judge reduced the severity of a felony charge because the DA's office didn't disclose police reports to the defense -- reports that, in reality, didn't exist. The Court of Appeals reinstated the more severe charge:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/a...
The Court of Appeals ruled Colorado law doesn't recognize a civil claim that a defendant's behavior required the plaintiff to spend money monitoring their risk of health problems from toxic chemical exposure:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/a...
Appeals court says claims cannot be based on increased risk of future health problems
Colorado's second-highest court concluded last week that state law does not recognize a plaintiff's claim that a defendant's actions increased their risk of illness in the future.
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The Court of Appeals ruled Colorado law doesn't recognize a civil claim that a defendant's behavior required the plaintiff to spend money monitoring their risk of health problems from toxic chemical exposure:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/a...
Reposted by Michael Karlik
BREAKING: Mark Wolf, appointed to the federal bench by Ronald Reagan, writes that he is resigning as a judge to have the freedom to speak out against the president's assault on the rule of law.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
November 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
BREAKING: Mark Wolf, appointed to the federal bench by Ronald Reagan, writes that he is resigning as a judge to have the freedom to speak out against the president's assault on the rule of law.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
One judge on the 10th Circuit defended his previous precedent-setting decision about how probation violators are to be re-sentenced. There appears to be some discontent with his reasoning on the court, and a Colorado defendant is asking for full-court review:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/06/1...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/06/1...
10th Circuit rejects defendant's theory for re-sentencing probation violators
The Denver-based federal appeals court rejected a defendant's theory for re-sentencing people who violate the terms of their probation last month, with one judge defending his precedent-setting framew...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:08 PM
One judge on the 10th Circuit defended his previous precedent-setting decision about how probation violators are to be re-sentenced. There appears to be some discontent with his reasoning on the court, and a Colorado defendant is asking for full-court review:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/06/1...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/06/1...
A federal judge has blocked a portion of Colorado's 2024 law requiring certain social media platforms to notify child users about the data-based effects of social media use. Advocates slammed the decision, saying less-sweeping alternatives wouldn't work:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/f...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/f...
Federal judge blocks Colorado law requiring social media platforms to provide warnings to children
A federal judge blocked Colorado on Thursday from implementing a requirement that social media companies notify users younger than 18 of the effects to their mental and physical health from using the ...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:01 PM
A federal judge has blocked a portion of Colorado's 2024 law requiring certain social media platforms to notify child users about the data-based effects of social media use. Advocates slammed the decision, saying less-sweeping alternatives wouldn't work:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/f...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/07/f...
Reposted by Michael Karlik
On this AM’s earnings call, private prison company Geo Group’s chairman says Geo expects ICE to add 40,000 more detention beds (to its roughly 60,000 present number). He says slower recent expansion due to Kristi Noem’s tight grip on contracting; the government shutdown; and ICE recruitment efforts.
November 6, 2025 at 4:16 PM
On this AM’s earnings call, private prison company Geo Group’s chairman says Geo expects ICE to add 40,000 more detention beds (to its roughly 60,000 present number). He says slower recent expansion due to Kristi Noem’s tight grip on contracting; the government shutdown; and ICE recruitment efforts.
The 10th Circuit agreed that lawyers may receive attorney fees for successfully representing detained noncitizens bringing habeas cases. The ruling incentivizes lawyers to represent detainees who are unlawfully detained:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/1...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/1...
10th Circuit upholds financial incentive for lawyers to take on challenges to immigration detention
The Denver-based federal appeals court ruled on Monday that the law allowing attorneys to recover their costs for prevailing against the government does apply to successful legal challenges to immigra...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The 10th Circuit agreed that lawyers may receive attorney fees for successfully representing detained noncitizens bringing habeas cases. The ruling incentivizes lawyers to represent detainees who are unlawfully detained:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/1...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/1...
A Denver police officer isn't immune from a negligence lawsuit for running a red light with no lights/siren and hitting a scooter rider, the Court of Appeals ruled:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/a...
Appeals court rules Denver officer, city may be sued for collision with scooter
Colorado's second-highest court concluded last month that a Denver police officer and the city itself were not immune from the negligence lawsuit of a scooter rider injured after the officer ran a red...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:55 PM
A Denver police officer isn't immune from a negligence lawsuit for running a red light with no lights/siren and hitting a scooter rider, the Court of Appeals ruled:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/a...
Reposted by Michael Karlik
Somewhat ironic… courthousenews.com/supreme-cour...
November 5, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Somewhat ironic… courthousenews.com/supreme-cour...
NEW: Colorado officials are seeking removal of San Miguel County Judge Sean Murphy. He allegedly fails to issue rulings for years and ignored the discipline commission. Also, there were bizarre incidents, like a half-naked man behind him at a virtual hearing:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/s...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/s...
San Miguel County judge suspended, discipline commission harbors 'serious concerns' about conduct
A San Miguel County judge who failed to respond for months to disciplinary authorities' requests to explain himself is now facing allegations that his misconduct infected two dozen cases and forced so...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:02 PM
NEW: Colorado officials are seeking removal of San Miguel County Judge Sean Murphy. He allegedly fails to issue rulings for years and ignored the discipline commission. Also, there were bizarre incidents, like a half-naked man behind him at a virtual hearing:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/s...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/05/s...
Reposted by Michael Karlik
Terror at a Chicago daycare facility: "The agents had followed the woman as she parked and chased her inside the daycare and preschool."
“It’s some of the most chilling video footage I have ever seen" said one local elected official.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/d...
“It’s some of the most chilling video footage I have ever seen" said one local elected official.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/d...
Daycare Teacher Pulled Out Of Preschool By Armed Federal Agents, 'Traumatizing' Families
The incident happened in front of parents and children at Rayito de Sol in North Center, a parent said. They believe the employee, who cares for infants, is legally allowed to work in the United State...
blockclubchicago.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Terror at a Chicago daycare facility: "The agents had followed the woman as she parked and chased her inside the daycare and preschool."
“It’s some of the most chilling video footage I have ever seen" said one local elected official.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/d...
“It’s some of the most chilling video footage I have ever seen" said one local elected official.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/d...
Denver police detained a group of Black folks because 1.) one of them allegedly looked like a suspected shooter (not even close) and 2.) they parked on the same street as the shooter's vehicle 12 hours later. The 10th Circuit found no reasonable suspicion:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/1...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/1...
10th Circuit finds Denver officers unconstitutionally searched man
The Colorado-based federal appeals court concluded last week that Denver officers lacked reasonable suspicion when they detained a group of people who happened to park on a public street near a vehicl...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Denver police detained a group of Black folks because 1.) one of them allegedly looked like a suspected shooter (not even close) and 2.) they parked on the same street as the shooter's vehicle 12 hours later. The 10th Circuit found no reasonable suspicion:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/1...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/1...
A trial judge believed a suburban sanitation district's lawyer had no First Amendment protection for her statements about board members' malfeasance because she gained the knowledge from her official duties. The 10th Circuit reversed, finding 1A protection:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/1...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/1...
10th Circuit revives retaliation claim against Jeffco sanitation district
The Denver-based federal appeals court on Monday reinstated an attorney's retaliation claim against her former employer, a special district based in Lakewood, alleging she was fired for statements she...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
A trial judge believed a suburban sanitation district's lawyer had no First Amendment protection for her statements about board members' malfeasance because she gained the knowledge from her official duties. The 10th Circuit reversed, finding 1A protection:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/1...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/1...
I think this is the first time I've seen a trademark notation in a court transcript.
November 4, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I think this is the first time I've seen a trademark notation in a court transcript.
A lawyer mistakenly inserted flawed case citations into a filing. She maintained it was a result of sloppiness, not AI or malicious intent. A federal judge in Colorado called her into court to interrogate her over what happened.
It was brutal:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/h...
It was brutal:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/h...
'How does that make sense?' Federal judge demands answers from lawyer on faulty citations
A federal judge aggressively interrogated a lawyer on Monday for her use of flawed citations in a legal filing and her response after it was brought to her attention.
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:25 PM
A lawyer mistakenly inserted flawed case citations into a filing. She maintained it was a result of sloppiness, not AI or malicious intent. A federal judge in Colorado called her into court to interrogate her over what happened.
It was brutal:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/h...
It was brutal:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/04/h...
Judge Karl Schock of Colorado's Court of Appeals asked the Supreme Court to clarify its vision for how convicted defendants are supposed to request their seized property back. The way it works now, he said, is kind of inequitable:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
Appeals judge asks Colorado Supreme Court to clarify process for returning seized property to defendants
A member of Colorado's second-highest court asked the state Supreme Court on Thursday to address the consequences of its 2022 decision outlining how convicted defendants are supposed to seek the retur...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Judge Karl Schock of Colorado's Court of Appeals asked the Supreme Court to clarify its vision for how convicted defendants are supposed to request their seized property back. The way it works now, he said, is kind of inequitable:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
A Denver judge closed jury selection to the public all day for reasons that weren't clear. Even though he provided a livestream, the Court of Appeals found that wasn't enough under Colorado Supreme Court precedent. They ordered a new murder trial:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
Appeals court reverses murder conviction after Denver judge violated public trial right
Colorado's second-highest court reversed a defendant's murder conviction on Thursday because a Denver judge violated his constitutional right to a public trial.
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A Denver judge closed jury selection to the public all day for reasons that weren't clear. Even though he provided a livestream, the Court of Appeals found that wasn't enough under Colorado Supreme Court precedent. They ordered a new murder trial:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
A Denver judge allowed a defendant to represent himself without a full conversation about what the man understood about his case and his responsibilities (very little). The Court of Appeals ordered a new trial:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
Appeals court orders new trial after Denver judge wrongly let defendant represent self
A Denver judge incorrectly found that a defendant understood what he was doing by giving up his constitutional right to counsel, Colorado's second-highest court concluded on Thursday in overturning th...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
A Denver judge allowed a defendant to represent himself without a full conversation about what the man understood about his case and his responsibilities (very little). The Court of Appeals ordered a new trial:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/11/03/a...
Reposted by Michael Karlik
“Bovino testified that he has instructed his officers to arrest protesters who make hyperbolic comments in the heat of political demonstrations…even though such statements—which do not constitute true threats—are protected speech.”
Overnight court filings seem to be giving us a peek at what U.S. Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino said in his deposition so far (it apparently continues today):
November 4, 2025 at 2:43 PM
“Bovino testified that he has instructed his officers to arrest protesters who make hyperbolic comments in the heat of political demonstrations…even though such statements—which do not constitute true threats—are protected speech.”
Federal and state judges in Colorado spoke recently about the public's knowledge of/trust in the judiciary. “I do not think we’re in a judicial crisis. I think that we’re part of the normal ebb and flow of disagreement," said 10th Circuit Judge Tim Tymkovich:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/31/i...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/31/i...
'I do not think we're in a judicial crisis': Federal, state judges speak of challenges for judiciary
Members of Colorado's federal and state judiciaries spoke on Wednesday about the concerns they see with how the public engages with judges' work, and about judges' limited ability to correct misinform...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Federal and state judges in Colorado spoke recently about the public's knowledge of/trust in the judiciary. “I do not think we’re in a judicial crisis. I think that we’re part of the normal ebb and flow of disagreement," said 10th Circuit Judge Tim Tymkovich:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/31/i...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/31/i...
Two Colorado justices and 3 appeals judges spoke last week about how to respond to political attacks on their work.
“I don’t think we should respond. Entering into political discourse is not our job,” said Judge Jaclyn Casey Brown. "We stay the course":
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/31/c...
“I don’t think we should respond. Entering into political discourse is not our job,” said Judge Jaclyn Casey Brown. "We stay the course":
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/31/c...
Colorado justices, appeals judges speak of need to keep heads down amid political attacks
Two members of the Colorado Supreme Court and three Court of Appeals judges discussed their obligation on Tuesday to refrain from pushing back overtly on political attacks or misrepresentations of the...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Two Colorado justices and 3 appeals judges spoke last week about how to respond to political attacks on their work.
“I don’t think we should respond. Entering into political discourse is not our job,” said Judge Jaclyn Casey Brown. "We stay the course":
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/31/c...
“I don’t think we should respond. Entering into political discourse is not our job,” said Judge Jaclyn Casey Brown. "We stay the course":
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/31/c...
The Colorado Supreme Court appeared hesitant to label lifetime sex offender registration "punishment," despite its consequences for a person's liberty and privacy. However, they were receptive to seeing it as disproportionate for one specific defendant:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/30/c...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/30/c...
Colorado Supreme Court weighs whether lifetime sex offender registration amounts to 'punishment'
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court appeared wary last week of deeming lifetime sex offender registration "punishment," even as they heard about the inescapable consequences for a person's liberty a...
www.coloradopolitics.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The Colorado Supreme Court appeared hesitant to label lifetime sex offender registration "punishment," despite its consequences for a person's liberty and privacy. However, they were receptive to seeing it as disproportionate for one specific defendant:
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/30/c...
www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/30/c...
Reposted by Michael Karlik
Spotted a real National Guard patrol in Dupont Circle (left) this morning … then an individual in ill-fitting fatigues and gear (right) shortly thereafter. Is this an actual guardsman? Did not appear to be a Halloween costume. It’s increasingly difficult to tell who’s legit, which seems dangerous.
November 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Spotted a real National Guard patrol in Dupont Circle (left) this morning … then an individual in ill-fitting fatigues and gear (right) shortly thereafter. Is this an actual guardsman? Did not appear to be a Halloween costume. It’s increasingly difficult to tell who’s legit, which seems dangerous.