joseph bucceri

Review 35(a)/(c) motions for post conviction relief and prepare draft orders for use by reviewing judge. Observed and assisted in court administration of Jury trials, including researching legal issues arising during trial, assisting in drafting and compiling jury instructions, assisted in bailiff duties during trial and jury deliberation. Moved with Judge to Broomfield District Court. Docket included Probate, Domestic, Criminal, Civil and Appeals. Draft Rulings on appeals for 17th Judicial District on topics including the meaning of the term “regurgitate” for purposes of refusal in DUI breathalyzer testing.

Prepared legal memoranda on questions of law for burden for termination of parental rights for incarcerated parents, allocation of parental responsibility for family members, evidence necessary to make a prima facie case for abandonment before adoption by a stepparent, necessary medical showing for removal of life support for a brain damaged child and legal principle for determining when life support should be removed from an non-brain dead child. Drafted orders for ruling on contested motions hearings including motions to suppress evidence from unreasonable search, statements in violation of Miranda rights, whether testimony fits the legal standard of “newly discovered” evidence, if new evidence is sufficient grant a new trial.

Prosecuted case load in excess of 200, routinely in a fast paced, voluminous environment. Conducted countless court trials, dozens of substantive motion hearings, and over 90 jury trials. Handled criminal appeals for the City before District Court, Court of Appeals and State Supreme Court. Selected from 12 attorneys to establish and facilitate grant based F.U.T.U.R.E. (prostitution) and Wellness (mental health) Courts. Regularly interviewed witnesses, juveniles, officers, victims, and other interested parties. Advised and consulted with Gateway (victims advocate), Teen Court, Animal Services, Aurora Police, Code Enforcement regarding various questions to applicable laws.

Performed legal research on a variety of topics including but not limited to: Applicable underlying offenses for Felony Murder and sufficient legal requirements for a search warrant.

Exercised independent discretion in all facets of trial preparation including conducting independent investigation of cases, preparing witnesses for trial, and conducting depositions. Tried 4 bench trials, 3 involving Felony charges, as first chair. Aggressively prosecuted a caseload of 200 pending cases before criminal court over 14 weeks. Drafted pleadings, motions and conducted legal research.