The People of the State of Colorado v. Lorenzo Bonvicini

Summary

The court held that a privately owned and operated prison is not a "public law enforcement agency" under the statute governing challenges for cause to prospective jurors. Because the juror was employed by a private corporation, the trial court properly denied the challenge for cause, and the appellate court erred by treating the private prison as a public agency based on its governmental functions. The court reversed the appellate court and remanded for proceedings consistent with its opinion. Justice Gabriel, joined by Justice Hood, concurred only in the judgment and would have resolved the case on harmless-error grounds without reaching the statutory interpretation issue.