Case Records

Overview

Records of cases before the PDJ are available for public access in accordance with Chief Justice Directive 05-01. Copies of records may be requested by emailing the PDJ's office at pdj@pdj.state.co.us, or by leaving a voicemail at (303) 457-5999. Fees for copies may be assessed in accordance with Chief Justice Directive 06-01.

The following information outlines which records are publicly available and which records are sealed (accessible only to the PDJ and PDJ’s staff) or suppressed (accessible only to the PDJ, PDJ’s staff, and parties to the case and their attorneys).

Availability of Records

Lawyer discipline cases (including reinstatement and readmission)

In general, under C.R.C.P. 242.41, all records concerning disciplinary cases are available to the public after a formal disciplinary complaint is filed. The following records, however, are sealed or suppressed:

Matters subject to a protective order
Work product of the PDJ or hearing boards
Opinions imposing a private admonition
Diversion agreements and orders approving them
Interim suspension matters dismissed by the PDJ
Stipulations rejected by the PDJ before the filing of a formal complaint

Lawyer disability cases

Lawyer discipline cases (including reinstatement and readmission)

Records in lawyer disability cases are suppressed, except for orders placing a lawyer on disability inactive status or removing a lawyer from disability inactive status.

Unauthorized practice of law cases

Lawyer discipline cases (including reinstatement and readmission)

Unauthorized practice of law cases

Records concerning UPL cases, including contempt matters, are generally confidential under C.R.C.P. 240(b). The Colorado Supreme Court, rather than the PDJ, maintains custody of these records after the PDJ issues a report in the case.

Bar admissions cases

Administrative records

Unauthorized practice of law cases

Records concerning bar admissions hearings before a hearing board are suppressed unless the applicant requests that the hearing be public under C.R.C.P. 209.4(2). The PDJ maintains records for bar admissions hearings after a hearing board issues a report in the case.

Administrative records

Colorado's Public Access to Information and Records Rule 2 ("P.A.I.R.R. 2") governs access to administrative records of the judicial branch, including administrative records of the PDJ's office. For information about requesting administrative records from the PDJ's office under P.A.I.R.R. 2, please see the PDJ's Policy for Public Access to Administrative Records.