When a party to a criminal case wrongfully procures the unavailability of a witness, a statement otherwise not admissible pursuant to the Colorado rules of evidence that is offered against the party that was involved in or responsible for the wrongdoing that was intended to, and did, deprive the criminal justice system of evidence is admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule; except that such a statement is not admissible unless the proponent has given to the adverse party advance written notice of an intention to introduce the statement sufficient to provide the adverse party a fair opportunity to contest the admissibility of the statement. In determining the admissibility of the evidence, the court shall determine, prior to the trial, whether the forfeiture by wrongdoing occurred by a preponderance of the evidence.
Source: L. 2020: Entire section added, (SB 20-088), ch. 133, p. 577, § 1, effective June 26.
Structure Colorado Code
Title 13 - Courts and Court Procedure
Article 25 - Evidence - General Provisions
§ 13-25-101. Printed Statutes - Reports of Decisions
§ 13-25-102. United States Census Bureau Mortality Table as Evidence
§ 13-25-104. Proof of Handwriting
§ 13-25-105. Certificate of Register - Patent
§ 13-25-106. Judicial Notice of Laws of Other Jurisdictions
§ 13-25-107. Proceedings of Cities and Towns
§ 13-25-108. Evidence of Assessment
§ 13-25-109. Recording of Patents to Land
§ 13-25-110. Patent - Copy of Record
§ 13-25-111. Patents Already Recorded
§ 13-25-113. Lost Deed - Bond - Note - Affidavit
§ 13-25-114. Certificate of Publisher
§ 13-25-115. Certificate of Head Officer
§ 13-25-116. Water Officials' Records
§ 13-25-117. Parties Plaintiff
§ 13-25-119. Dying Declarations
§ 13-25-120. Corporate Resolutions and Minutes
§ 13-25-122. Person Missing, Interned, or Captured
§ 13-25-123. Report Deemed Pursuant to Law
§ 13-25-124. Libel and Slander - How Pleaded
§ 13-25-125. Justification - Pleaded and Proved
§ 13-25-125.5. Libel and Slander - Self-Publication
§ 13-25-126. Genetic Tests to Determine Parentage
§ 13-25-126.5. Documents Arising From Environmental Self-Evaluation - Admissibility in Evidence
§ 13-25-127. Civil Actions - Degree of Proof Required
§ 13-25-128. Rules of Evidence - Grant of Authority Subject to Reservation
§ 13-25-129. Statements of a Child - Hearsay Exception
§ 13-25-130. Criminal Actions - Use of Photographs, Video Tapes, or Films of Property
§ 13-25-131. Civil Actions - Sexual Assault - Certain Evidence Presumed Irrelevant
§ 13-25-132. Criminal Actions - Video Tape Depositions - Use at Trial
§ 13-25-134. Electronic Records and Signatures - Admissibility in Evidence - Originals
§ 13-25-135. Evidence of Admissions - Civil Proceedings - Unanticipated Outcomes - Medical Care
§ 13-25-136. Criminal Actions - Prenatal Drug and Alcohol Screening - Admissibility of Evidence
§ 13-25-137. Admissibility of Commercial Packaging
§ 13-25-139. Criminal Action - Interference With Witness - Forfeiture by Wrongdoing