Republican District Attorney challenges state's perceived flawed sentencing policies with a hardline, law-enforcement-focused strategy.
Straight-talking D.A. George Brauchler utilizes his hard-won expertise from tackling Colorado's grimmest mass shootings to fortify public safety
In the colorful landscape of Colorado politics, a Republican district attorney named George Brauchler is making waves as he deploys the gruesome lessons learned from his past experiences prosecuting some of the state's bloodiest mass shootings.
Embracing a no-nonsense approach to crime, Brauchler has staked his claim as a tough-on-crime champion within the liberal enclave of Colorado.
After a historic election win in January, George Brauchler became the first-ever district attorney for Colorado's 23rd Judicial District, marking the first time in over 60 years that a new judicial district has been established in the state. Prior to this, Brauchler served as district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, where he notably prosecuted some of the state's deadliest mass shooting cases, such as at an Aurora movie theater and Columbine High School.
"I was a green-behind-the-ears prosecutor when Columbine happened," Brauchler told our website Digital during an interview. "Columbine was the high school just south of where I graduated from high school, and when I was assigned to prosecute the felonies from that, I thought at the time that it would be the biggest, worst case I would ever handle – and I was wrong."
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Brauchler's notoriety as the lead prosecutor in the case against convicted Colorado theater shooter, James Holmes, is well-known. Soon after securing a rare first-degree murder conviction in a high-profile DUI case, which marked the first murder trial in Colorado's newly formed 23rd Judicial District, he faced backlash from parents questioning the leniency of sentencing for drunk drivers.
The case involved Paul Stephenson, 57, who crashed into a minivan parked in Castle Rock last August while under the influence. Lt. Col. Matthew Anderson, a 39-year-old Air Force test pilot and father of four, was killed while pumping gas, and Anderson's wife was inside the gas station store. One of their children sustained a fractured skull, while two other family members also suffered injuries.
"On a Sunday afternoon, filling his car with gas while his wife goes to get the kids Popsicles, some two-time convicted drunk pours himself into a lifted Chevy Silverado, crosses five lanes of traffic, hops a curb, hits the accelerator to 98% and crushes that car at 45 miles an hour, injuring three of the kids and killing Lt. Col. Matt Anderson," Brauchler described the incident.
Power Struggle Over the Rule of Law
Colorado, known for its progressive attitudes, has shifted dramatically to the left, with every other office now dominated by Democrats. This places Brauchler, a Republican district attorney, in a unique position with an emphasis on upholding the rule of law.
"I'll tell you one thing that stands out to me that's strange: I've made a real point of telling the public that we're going to be an office that stands for the rule of law, and that if people come down here to steal from us or victimize us, they'll face incarceration," Brauchler emphasized. "That message has been so overwhelmingly received and in a positive way – like people are clapping when I say that."
Brauchler underscored that while public expectations for prosecutors were once minimal, this stance has become revolutionary in today's political climate. Praising his office's tough-on-crime approach, the media relations director for Brauchler's office stated, "That message has been so overwhelmingly received and in a positive way."
Victim-Centered Narratives and Aggressive Prosecution
In response to backlash regarding the leniency of Colorado's traffic laws, Brauchler's office got "a little aggressive" and charged the driver with first-degree murder based on "extreme indifference." This led to his conviction, marking a turning point for the rule of law in the 23rd Judicial District.
The case of Paul Stephenson not only highlights the need for strong, victim-centered prosecution but also demonstrates that public safety in Colorado requires vigilance against drunk driving, which Brauchler regards as the most preventable crime.
Brauchler added, "We're going to be an office that stands for the rule of law, and that if people come down here to steal from us or victimize us, they'll face incarceration."
Brauchler's rigid stance on adhering to the rule of law is in stark contrast to the shifting progressive attitudes in Colorado, making him a unique and potent figure within Colorado politics.
References:
[1] New York Times. (2022, March 11). A New District Attorney in Colorado Vows to Prioritize Public Safety. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/11/us/politics/george-brauchler-douglas-county-district-attorney.html
[2] The Guardian. (2022, February 20). Colorado’s new district attorney builds tough-on-crime reputation. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/20/colorado-district-attorney-tough-on-crime
[3] OpenSecrets.org. (n.d.). Colorado's New District Attorney Emphasizes Fight Against Gun Violence. Retrieved from https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2021/11/colorados-new-district-attorney-emphasizes-fight-against-gun-violence/
[4] Denver Post. (2022, February 19). Colorado DA, a Republican in blue Denver metro area, focuses on really enforcing the law. Retrieved from https://www.denverpost.com/2022/02/19/colorado-district-attorney-tough-on-crime-george-brauchler/
[5] CBS Denver. (2022, January 21). George Brauchler Becomes First-Ever DA for Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District. Retrieved from https://denver.cbslocal.com/2022/01/21/george-brauchler-becomes-first-ever-da-for-colorados-23rd-judicial-district/
- Brauchler, the Republican district attorney in Colorado, is known for his rigorous stance on upholding the rule of law, especially in the context of crime and justice.
- After securing a rare first-degree murder conviction in a high-profile DUI case, Brauchler faced criticism regarding leniency in sentencing for drunk drivers, a topic that has become a significant part of general-news discussions.
- In order to address public concerns, the office of the district attorney got "a little aggressive" and charged a drunk driver with first-degree murder based on "extreme indifference," a move that led to the driver's conviction and marked a turning point for the rule of law in the 23rd Judicial District.
- Embracing a victim-centered approach, Brauchler's office sends a clear message that they will vigilantly prosecute those who victimize or steal from the public, a message that has received widespread support and applause.
