On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Colorado Supreme Court approved a stipulation to discipline attorney Christian A. Hatfield. Hatfield will be suspended for six months; however, the suspension will be stayed pending successful completion of a two-year probation period, which begins January 13, 2026.

The case is entitled “People v. Christian A. Hatfield,” with case no. 25PDJ76.

The disciplinary action stems from multiple incidents. One incident occurred around December 2024, when Hatfield, then serving as District Attorney for Colorado’s 22nd Judicial District, sent a text message to a staff member after business hours. The message contained disparaging remarks about the office and made disturbing comments regarding the staff member and their family, causing the staff member emotional harm. This was found to violate Colo. RPC 8.4(h) prohibits conduct that intentionally and wrongfully harms others and reflects poorly on an attorney’s fitness to practice law.

Another incident occurred during a felony case prosecution in late 2023. Hatfield failed to adequately rebut the defense’s motion to suppress evidence related to a search warrant discrepancy. Specifically, he did not present the full body cam recording of the conversation between law enforcement and the defendant, leading to the evidence being suppressed and the charges being dismissed. This was deemed a violation of Colo. RPC 1.3 which requires lawyers to act with reasonable diligence and promptness.

Finally, the disciplinary action also addresses a conflict of interest. In January 2025, while serving as District Attorney, Hatfield was involved in negotiations regarding a global resolution of multiple cases, one of which involved a former client from a 2022 case where Hatfield had previously served as the defendant’s lawyer. Hatfield approved a plea offer extended to his former client, which was substantially related to his prior representation, violating Colo. RPC 1.9(a). This rule prohibits a lawyer from representing another person in a matter substantially related to a former client’s case if their interests are adverse, without informed written consent from the former client.

According to Avvo.com, Mr. Hatfield is a contracts and agreements attorney in Durango, Colorado. He attended the Vermont Law School, graduating in 1994. He acquired his law license in Colorado in 2011. 

A copy of the original filing can be found here.