Judge Resigns Over Lafayette Marijuana Ordinance
LAFAYETTE, CO: Judge Resigns Over Lafayette Marijuana Ordinance

LAFAYETTE, Colo. — A Boulder criminal-defense lawyer who has been serving as an associate municipal court judge in Lafayette for eight years has resigned to protest the city’s tough new penalties for marijuana possession.

Leonard Frieling said that he is unwilling to enforce the ordinance that increases the maximum penalty for possession of small amounts of pot from a $100 fine to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail. And he said since he doesn’t want to enforce it, he’s morally and ethically unable to serve as a municipal judge.

Lafayette’s City Council gave tentative approval to the stricter penalties last week, and a final vote is scheduled next week.

Frieling said he doesn’t think marijuana should be illegal for adults who are allowed to drink alcohol, but he said he was willing to enforce the current $100 fine — which matches the state penalty for possession of small amounts of the drug.

Lafayette Mayor Chris Berry said the new penalties are part of a plan designed to give judges more flexibility when sentencing marijuana offenders.


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