Mary A. Celeste

Evaluation history

• 2010 retention cycle

  Trial Court · Denver · Denver

  No Opinion(Retain)
  VotersRetained· 62.2% yes

  79,617 yes · 48,294 no50% needed to retain
  Retention Year: 2010 Recommendation: No Opinion Reports: 2010 Retention Survey Report 2009 Interim Survey Report Need an accessible PDF Document version? Please click on the link below and email our staff Contact Us The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, on an evenly divided vote, expresses NO OPINION on the retention of Judge Mary A. Celeste. Judge Celeste was appointed to the Denver County Court bench in April 2000. Prior to her appointment, Judge Celeste was a partner in a law firm specializing in personal injury cases and trust and estate matters. Judge Celeste received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University and her law degree from California Western School of Law. Judge Celeste has presided in traffic court and criminal court. Since 2009 she has served as Presiding Judge for the Denver County Court. In that position she hears preliminary hearings in first degree murder cases, handles many administrative matters, and represents the Denver County Court in many different venues. She was active in the planning of the new Denver Justice Center and the development of the Denver County Court Sobriety Court. She serves as President of the Colorado Women’s Bar Association Foundation, and is the President-Elect of the American Judges Association. The Commission reviewed the results of surveys of lawyers and non-lawyers, interviewed the judge several times, and reviewed two written opinions, a transcript of an oral ruling and additional supportive material submitted by the judge. Judge Celeste received the lowest average ratings from attorneys among all county court judges in Denver standing for retention this year. In every area of case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, demeanor, and diligence, Judge Celeste received scores from attorneys below the average of all county court judges in Colorado. However, from non-attorneys, Judge Celeste received average scores slightly higher than the average of all county court judges in Colorado in the areas of demeanor, fairness, communications, diligence and legal ability. Her average scores from non-attorneys were in the middle of the scores received by the other county court judges in Denver standing for retention this year. Many of the issues raised in this year’s evaluation were raised in previous evaluations in 2002 and 2006. Particularly concerning to the Commission were the very low ratings Judge Celeste received from attorneys for overall demeanor. The Commission unanimously recommends that Judge Celeste enter into an improvement plan supervised by the Chief Judge of the Denver District Court. Judge Celeste voluntarily has agreed to enter into such a supervised improvement plan. Of all the attorneys surveyed about retention, 60% recommended to retain, 31% not to retain, and 9% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 66% recommended to retain and 34% not to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 84% recommended to retain, 4% not to retain, and 12% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 95% recommended to retain and 5% not to retain.
• 2006 retention cycle

  Trial Court · Denver · Denver

  Meets Standards(Retain)
  VotersRetained· 74.4% yes

  83,414 yes · 28,663 no50% needed to retain
  Reports: 2006 Retention Survey Report Need an accessible PDF Document version? Please click on the link below and email our staff Contact Us The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Mary A. Celeste BE RETAINED. Judge Celeste was appointed to the Denver County Court bench in April 2000. Prior to her appointment, Judge Celeste was a partner in a law firm specializing in personal injury cases and trust and estate matters. Judge Celeste received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University and her law degree from California Western University. Judge Celeste has presided in traffic court and criminal court. Judge Celeste is a member of the American Judges Association Board of Directors and sits on two Supreme Court Committees. Judge Celeste has volunteered as a remedial reading teacher of elementary school children. Judge Celeste enjoys boating, playing bridge, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Celeste from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments attached to the surveys. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Celeste and conducted a personal interview with her. Judge Celeste received slightly higher than average rating from attorneys in the areas of promptly ruling on pre trial motions and issuing written findings on fact or law. Judge Celeste received average ratings in the areas of promptly issuing a decision on the case after trial, making decisions without fear of being appealed; overall communication, speaking clearly, and making sure all participates understand proceedings. Judge Celeste received lower than average ratings from attorneys in the areas of setting reasonable schedules for cases, being willing to reconsider error in fact or law, having knowledge of rules of procedure and evidence, using good judgment in application of relevant law and rules, treating participants politely and with respect, conducting her courtroom in a neutral manner, consistently applying laws and rules, and treating parties without attorneys fairly. Of the attorney’s responding to the survey 87% recommended retention and 13 % recommended that Judge Celeste not be retained. Judge Celeste received average ratings from non-attorneys. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 88% recommended that Judge Celeste be retained and 12% recommended that she not be retained.
• 2002 retention cycle

  Trial Court · Denver · Denver

  Meets Standards(Retain)
  Retention Year: 2002 Recommendation: Retain Reports: 2002 Retention Survey Report Need an accessible PDF Document Version? Please click on the link below and email our staff Contact Us The Second Judicial Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Mary A. Celeste BE RETAINED. Judge Celeste was appointed to the Denver County Court bench in April 2000. Prior to her appointment, Judge Celeste was a partner in a law firm specializing in personal injury cases and trusts and estates matters. Judge Celeste received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University and her law degree from California Western University, where she was the editor-in-chief of the International Law Journal. Judge Celeste has presided in traffic court and has heard both misdemeanor and criminal matters. Judge Celeste has assisted in developing computer programs for a "paperless court." She serves on the Colorado Women’s Bar Association Executive Committee and the Education Committee for the American Judges’ Association. She participates in the American Inns of Courts as a mentor. Judge Celeste is also an adjunct professor of law at the University of Denver Law School. She has volunteered as a remedial reading teacher of elementary school children. Judge Celeste enjoys boating, astronomy and her children and grandchildren. The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Celeste received from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written comments. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Celeste and conducted a personal interview with her. Judge Celeste received relatively low ratings from both attorneys and non-attorneys in the areas of courtesy, impartiality, professional demeanor and punctuality. Of the attorney responses to the questionnaire, 60% recommended retention, 25% recommended she not be retained and 15% had no opinion. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 69% recommended retention, 21% recommended non-retention and 9% had no opinion. The Commission, upon complete review, determined that the negative issues indicated in the written evaluations are attributable to Judge Celeste’s relative inexperience with criminal matters; her abrupt, straightforward communication style; her transition from being an advocate to acting as a judge; and the pressure of handling thousands of traffic cases and several hundred final hearings in her first year. Judge Celeste has addressed these issues by expressing her interest in improving the system and herself. She has initiated monthly meetings with city attorneys, public defenders and non-attorney personnel. She will attend judicial conferences and take courses on criminal rules and procedures. The Commission finds that she is willing to modify and implement changes and recommends that she be retained in office.

Surveys & reports

• 2010 cycle
  • 2009 Interim Survey Report(PDF on OJPE)
    Read full interim survey textexpandcollapse

    ## Page 1 State of Colorado Logo COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE TThhee HHoonnoorraabbllee MMaarryy CCeelleessttee 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 2nd Judicial District ## Page 2 September 24, 2009 The Honorable Mary Celeste City & County Bldg. 1437 Bannock St., Room 108 Denver, CO 80202 Dear Judge Celeste: This year, The State Commission on Judicial Performance has requested Talmey- Drake Research & Strategy to provide interim survey reports concerning all justices and judges. Going forward, there will continue to be survey reports on retention judges in retention election years and interim survey reports on all judges in non- retention years. Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy conducted the 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey among people who have been in a state courtroom in once capacity or another, or who have otherwise been affected by the performance of a judge. This report contains the results of those who have observed, or who are knowledgeable about, your judicial performance and who responded to the survey. In addition to this introduction, the report is divided into four main sections: Attorney Results & Comments: This section contains graphs displaying the average grade you received for each question that used an “A” to “F” scale, the average grade for each section of the questionnaire, and an overall average grade for questions 1a through 5c combined. Following the graphs, are a series of tables showing the percentage distribution of grades to each question. Attorney respondents were also asked to comment about your performance. These comments have been transcribed, and in some instances, redacted to eliminate respondent identifying information. The survey of attorneys was conducted online; a copy of the questionnaire is provided at the back of this report. Non-attorney Results & Comments: Similar to the attorney section, this portion of the report contains graphs (again including the overall average of questions 1a through 5c on the non-attorney questionnaire), tables of the percentage distribution of grades for each substantive question in the survey. The non-attorney respondents were also asked to comment about your performance. Again, these comments have been transcribed, and in some instances redacted to eliminate respondent identifying information. A copy of the non-attorney questionnaire is also at the back of this report. Methodology: The third section of the report discusses the methodology of the survey. 100 Arap ahoe, Suite One, Boulder, CO 80302 Phone 303.443.5300 Fax 303.447.9386 ## Page 3 The Honorable Mary Celeste September 24, 2009 Page 2 Questionnaires: And the final section provides copies of the questionnaires that were used. If you have any questions about the methodology and how the survey was conducted, please feel free to contact me at 303-443-5300 ext 1, and for any other questions you might have about the survey please call the Executive Director of the Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation, Jane Howell, at 303-837-3665. Best regards, Paul A. Talmey President enc: ## Page 4 SSuurrvveeyy ooff AAtoorrnneeyyss RReeggaarrddiinngg JJuuddggee MMaarryy CCeelleessttee ((SSaammppllee SSiizzee 7733)) ## Page 5 Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Judge Mary Celeste All County Sample Size = 73 A B C D Fail DK/NA Mary Celeste Judges 1. Case Management: 1a. Promptly issuing a decision on the case after trial. 25% 19% 11% 3% 1% 41% 3.07 3.48 1b. Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 40% 32% 16% 8% 4% 0% 2.95 3.40 1c. Promptly ruling on pre-trial motions. 27% 23% 12% 4% 1% 32% 3.04 3.36 1d. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 35% 28% 19% 8% 3% 7% 2.90 3.35 Overall Case Management 2.99 3.40 2. Application and Knowledge of Law: 2a. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 26% 21% 19% 19% 10% 5% 2.36 3.25 2b. Basing decisions on evidence and arguments. 19% 21% 26% 16% 11% 7% 2.22 3.15 2c. Willing to reconsider error in fact or law. 15% 11% 17% 21% 12% 24% 1.95 2.95 2d. Issuing consistent sentences when the circumstances are 26% 23% 14% 16% 7% 14% 2.52 3.20 similar. Overall Application and Knowledge of Law 2.26 3.14 3. Communications: 3a. Making sure all participants understand the proceedings. 32% 37% 22% 4% 5% 0% 2.85 3.49 3b. Providing written communications that are clear, thorough 12% 17% 10% 5% 8% 47% 2.35 3.23 and well reasoned. Overall Communications 2.60 3.36 4. Demeanor: 4a. Giving proceedings a sense of dignity. 29% 26% 29% 11% 5% 0% 2.62 3.40 4b. Treating parties with respect. 27% 23% 22% 15% 12% 0% 2.38 3.37 4c. Conducting his/her courtroom in a neutral manner. 27% 21% 21% 21% 11% 0% 2.33 3.20 4d. Consistently applying laws and rules. 26% 25% 21% 16% 7% 5% 2.49 3.23 Overall Demeanor 2.46 3.30 5. Diligence: 5a. Using good judgment in application of relevant law and 27% 22% 26% 11% 10% 4% 2.49 3.16 rules. 5b. Doing the necessary homework and being prepared for 23% 22% 16% 11% 11% 16% 2.43 3.23 his/her cases. 5c. Being willing to handle cases on the docket even when 25% 15% 19% 8% 8% 25% 2.53 3.35 they are complicated and time consuming. Overall Diligence 2.48 3.25 Overall Average Grade: 2.56 3.28 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 2 ## Page 6 Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Percentage Judge Mary Celeste All County Mary Celeste Judges Sample Size = 73 Would you say the judge is: Very biased in favor of the prosecution 27% 10% Somewhat biased in favor of the prosecution 45% 30% Completely neutral 20% 46% Somewhat biased in favor of the defense 5% 7% Very biased in favor of the defense 0% 2% Don't know/not sure 4% 5% 8. How strongly do you recommend that the Judge be retained or not retained in office? [Percentages excluding undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain in office 37% 70% Somewhat recommend retain in office 29% 16% Somewhat recommend not retain in office 17% 7% Strongly recommend not retain in office 17% 7% Total Retain 66% 86% Total Not Retain 34% 14% [Percentages including undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain in office 34% 66% Somewhat recommend retain in office 27% 15% Undecided or dont know enough to make recommendation 8% 5% Somewhat recommend not retain in office 15% 6% Strongly recommend not retain in office 15% 7% Total Retain 61% 81% Undecided/Don't Know 8% 5% Total Not Retain 30% 13% 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 3 ## Page 7 Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Grades 2.56 Overall Average Grade 3.28 Q1. Overall Case Management 2.99 3.40 1a. Promptly issuing a decision on the 3.07 case after trial. 3.48 1b. Maintainingappropriate control over 2.95 proceedings. 3.40 3.04 1c. Promptlyruling on pre-trial motions. 3.36 1d.Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 2.90 3.35 2.26 Q2. OverallApp & Knowledge of Law 3.14 2a. Beingable to identify and analyze 2.36 relevant facts. 3.25 2b.Basing decisions on evidence and argument. 2.22 3.15 2c. Willing to reconsider error in fact or law. 2.95 2d. [Criminal only] Issuing consistant sentences 2.52 whencircumstances are simmilar. 3.20 2.60 Q3. Overall Communication 3.36 3a.Making sure all participants understand 2.85 the proceedings. 3.49 3b. Providing written communications that are 2.35 clear, thorough and well reasoned. 3.23 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary Celeste All County Judges 2J00u9 dIntgeriem JMudiaciarl yPe rCformealneces Stuervey 4 ## Page 8 Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Grades 2.46 Q4. Overall Demeanor 3.30 2.62 4a. Giving proceedingsa sense of dignity. 3.40 2.38 4b. Treating participants with respect. 3.37 4c. Conducting [his/her] courtroom 2.33 in a neutral manner. 3.20 2.49 4d. Consistanly applyinglaws and rules 3.23 2.48 Q5. Overall Diligence 3.25 5a. Using good judgement in application of 2.49 releveant laws and rules. 3.16 5b. Doing the necessary 'homework' and 2.43 being prepared for [his/her] cases. 3.23 5c. Being willing to handle cases on the docket even 2.53 when they are complicated and time consuming. 3.35 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Biased in favor of prosecution/defense. 27% Very biased in favor of the prosecution 10% 45% Somewhat biased in favor of the prosecution 30% 20% Completely Neutral 46% 5% Somewhat biased in favor of the defense 7% 0% Very biased in favor of the defense 2% 4% Don't know/not sure 5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Mary Celeste All County Judges 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 5 ## Page 9 Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Q8. How strongly do you recommend that Judge Celeste be retained or not retained in office? Excluding Undecided Respondents 37% Strongly recommend retain in office 70% 29% Somewhat recommend retain in office 16% All Cnty Judge Celeste Judges 17% Total Retain 66% 86% Somewhat recommend not retain in office Total Not Retain 34% 14% 7% 17% Strongly recommend not retain in office 7% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Including Undecided Respondents 34% Strongly recommend retain in office 66% 27% Somewhat recommend retain in office 15% All Cnty 8% Judge Celeste Judges Undecided 5% Total Retain 61% 81% Undecided 8% 5% 15% Somewhat recommend not retain in office Total Not Retain 30% 13% 6% 15% Strongly recommend not retain in office 7% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Mary Celeste All County Judges 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 6 ## Page 10 SSuurrvveeyy ooff NNoonn--AAtoorrnneeyyss RReeggaarrddiinngg JJuuddggee MMaarryy CCeelleessttee ((SSaammppllee SSiizzee 110066)) ## Page 11 Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Judge Mary Celeste All County Sample Size = 106 A B C D Fail DK/NA Mary Celeste Judges 1. Demeanor: 1a. Giving court proceedings a sense of dignity. 69% 24% 1% 1% 1% 4% 3.66 3.52 1b. Treating participants in the case politely and with respect. 70% 20% 3% 1% 1% 5% 3.65 3.53 1c. Conducting court in a neutral manner. 73% 17% 1% 3% 2% 4% 3.63 3.47 1d. Having a sense of compassion and human understanding 68% 21% 1% 1% 1% 9% 3.68 3.39 for those who appear before the court. Overall Demeanor 3.66 3.48 2. Fairness: 2a. Giving participants an opportunity to be heard. 75% 15% 3% 1% 1% 5% 3.71 3.53 2b. Treating those involved in the case without bias. 77% 13% 1% 1% 3% 5% 3.69 3.43 2c. Treating fairly people who represent themselves. 54% 12% 1% 1% 1% 31% 3.69 3.42 2d. Giving each side enough time to present his or her case. 72% 15% 2% 3% 1% 7% 3.66 3.52 Overall Fairness 3.69 3.48 3. Communications: 3a. Making sure participants understand the proceedings, and 71% 22% 0% 1% 1% 5% 3.70 3.58 what is going on in the courtroom. 3b. Using language that everyone can understand. 74% 18% 1% 1% 1% 5% 3.72 3.61 3c. Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom can hear 80% 14% 0% 1% 1% 4% 3.78 3.65 what is being said. Overall Communications 3.73 3.61 4. Diligence: 4a. Beginning court on time 55% 23% 13% 3% 1% 5% 3.36 3.36 4b. Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 77% 13% 5% 1% 1% 4% 3.70 3.62 4c. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 57% 20% 5% 2% 1% 15% 3.53 3.50 4d. Being prepared for cases. 75% 15% 2% 1% 1% 7% 3.73 3.54 4e. Managing court proceedings so that there is little wasted 70% 20% 2% 3% 1% 4% 3.62 3.43 time. Overall Diligence 3.59 3.49 5. Application of Law: 5a. Giving reasons for rulings. 71% 16% 2% 1% 2% 9% 3.67 3.41 5b. Willing to make decisions without regard to possible 66% 13% 0% 4% 1% 16% 3.66 3.43 outside pressure. 5c. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 71% 17% 1% 2% 1% 9% 3.69 3.42 Overall Application of Law 3.67 3.42 Overall Average Grade: 3.66 3.49 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 8 ## Page 12 Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Percentage Judge Mary Celeste All County Mary Celeste Judges Sample Size = 106 6. Average bias [Please see the questionnaire at the end of report for question wording.] Biased in favor of the prosecution total 1% 14% Competely neutral 90% 77% Biased in favor of the defense total 9% 8% [A positive average indicates bias toward prosecution, and a Average -0.18 0.15 negative average indicates a bias toward the defense.] 7. Average sentencing [Please see the questionnaire at the end of report for question wording.] Harsh sentencing total 6% 16% Competely neutral 81% 73% Lenient sentencing total 14% 12% [A positive average indicates sentences are harsh, and a Average -0.11 0.15 negative average indicates sentences are lenient.] 10. Retain percentage without undecideds. [Percentages excluding undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain in office 90% 81% Somewhat recommend retain in office 5% 9% Somewhat recommend not retain in office 1% 3% Strongly recommend not retain in office 4% 7% Total Retain 95% 90% Total Not Retain 5% 10% [Percentages including undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain in office 80% 74% Somewhat recommend retain in office 4% 8% Undecided or dont know enough to make recommendation 12% 9% Somewhat recommend not retain in office 1% 3% Strongly recommend not retain in office 3% 6% Total Retain 84% 82% Undecided/Don't Know 12% 9% Total Not Retain 4% 9% 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 9 ## Page 13 Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Grades 3.66 Overall Average Grade 3.49 3.66 Q1. Overall Demeanor 3.48 3.66 1a. Giving proceedings a sense of dignity. 3.52 1b. Treating participants politely and with respect. 3.65 3.53 1c. Conducting the courtroom in a neutral 3.63 manner. 3.47 1d. Having a sense of compassion and human 3.68 understanding for those who appear before the judge 3.39 3.69 Q2. Overall Fairness 3.48 2a. Giving participants an opportunity to be 3.71 heard. 3.53 2b. Treating those involved in the 3.69 case without bias. 3.43 2c. Treats people fairly who represent 3.69 themselves. 3.42 2d. Giving each side enough time to present his 3.66 or her case. 3.52 3.73 Q3. Overall Communtications 3.61 3a. Making sure participants understand the 3.70 proceedings, and what's going on in the courtroom. 3.58 3b. Using language that everyone can 3.72 understand. 3.61 3c. Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom 3.78 can hear what's being said. 3.65 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary Celeste All County Judges 20J09u Indtegrime J uMdicaialr Pyer fCormealneces Stuervey 10 ## Page 14 Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Grades 3.59 Q4. Overall Diligence 3.49 3.36 4a. Beginning court on time. 3.36 4b. Maintaining appropriate control over 3.70 proceedings. 3.62 4c. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 3.53 3.50 4d. Being prepared for his or her cases. 3.73 3.54 4e. Managing court proceedings so that there is 3.62 little wasted time. 3.43 3.67 Q5. Overall Legal Ability 3.42 5a. Giving reasons for rulings. 3.67 3.41 5b. Willing to make decision without regard to 3.66 possible outside pressure. 3.43 5c. Being able to identify and analyze 3.69 relevant facts. 3.42 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Q6 Biased in favor of prosecution/defense. -0.18 Mary Celeste 0.15 All County Judges -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5   Defense Prosecution Q7 Lenience or Harshness in Sentencing. -0.11 Mary Celeste 0.15 All County Judges -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5   Lenient Harsh Mary Celeste All County Judges 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 11 ## Page 15 Mary Celeste All County Judges Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Q10. How strongly do you recommend that Judge Celeste be retained or not retained in office? Excluding Undecided Respondents 90% Strongly recommend retain in office 81% 5% Somewhat recommend retain in office 9% All Cnty Judge Celeste Judges Total Retain 95% 90% 1% Somewhat recommend not retain in office Total Not Retain 5% 10% 3% 4% Strongly recommend not retain in office 7% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Including Undecided Respondents 80% Strongly recommend retain in office 74% 4% Somewhat recommend retain in office 8% 12% All Cnty Undecided 9% Judge Celeste Judges Total Retain 84% 82% 1% Undecided 12% 9% Somewhat recommend not retain in office 3% Total Not Retain 4% 9% 3% Strongly recommend not retain in office 6% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Mary Celeste All County Judges 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 12 ## Page 16 MMeetthhooddoollooggyy ## Page 17 MMeetthhooddoollooggyy Data Sources for Sample Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy received case data that included the names of people who had likely been in each judge’s courtroom between July 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009 from five primary sources: Colorado Judicial Department, Colorado District Attorneys’ Council Denver County Courts District Attorney’s Office, Second Judicial District (Denver) District Attorney’s Office, Ninth Judicial District Additional information was provided by the State Public Defender’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, 15th Judicial District. The data from these different data sources were then combined, duplicates removed and addresses corrected. Talmey-Drake then conducted two separate surveys for the 2009 Colorado Interim Judicial Performance Survey concerning county judges: A survey of attorneys and a survey of non-attorneys who had likely been in County Court. Responses to surveys conducted in prior years that had not been used in a previous Judicial Performance report were combined with the above data to create the total sample used in the 2009 Colorado Interim Judicial Performance Survey. Attorney Survey Attorney Sample: Talmey-Drake identified all the attorneys who were in the data provided by the organizations listed above, and all identified attorneys were included in the sample. As to be expected many attorneys had appeared in more than one judge’s courtroom, so each attorney was assigned from one to five judges to evaluate, depending on how many different judges with whom he or she was associated in the case data. For those attorneys who were in the case data for more than five judges, they were asked to evaluate the five judges they were associated with the most. 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 14 ## Page 18 Attorney Survey: The Attorney Survey was conducted online. Sampled attorneys were first sent a letter introducing them to the Survey and informing them that they would soon be receiving an email with a link to the Survey. The letter also included the Survey’s Web address, and a password if the respondent wished to take the survey before receiving the email. Approximately one week after the letter was mailed a first email was sent, and a week after that a second reminder email was sent. In order to increase the number of attorney responses, particularly for judges with few attorney survey evaluations, attorneys who had not responded after the second email request were telephoned and asked to either go online to take the survey, or if they preferred, to complete the survey by telephone. Attorney Questions: The questions used online for the 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey of attorneys asked respondents to use a grade of A, B, C, D, or F (Fail) to assess the judge’s performance in five different areas. These areas were Case Management, Application and Knowledge of Law, Communications, Demeanor and Diligence. These scores were then converted to a numerical value where A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1 and Fail = 0. A list of the questions are included in the last section of this report. Attorney Cooperation Rate: The cooperation rate for the Attorney Survey is calculated as the number of completed survey evaluations divided by the number of possible evaluations for that judges minus the undeliverable emails to attorneys in the sample for that judge. A table of the overall cooperation rates for the 2009 Interim Survey is shown later in this section of the report, as is a table showing the cooperation rates for Judge Celeste. The 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey was the first time in which the Attorney regarding Trial Judges survey was conducted online. A total of 4,163 attorneys were asked to participate in the online survey and on average to evaluate 2.81 judges each—a total of 11,688 potential attorney evaluations. Just over fifty-two percent (52.2%) of attorneys surveyed evaluated one or more judges. The average number of judges evaluated per attorney was 2.25 for a total of 4,883 attorney evaluations completed (41.8%). Note, these figures are only for the online survey (plus telephone follow-up interviews) and will not match the numbers in the Total Response Count table on page below, which include attorney evaluations from prior mail surveys. Non-attorney Survey Non-Attorney Sample: Depending on the number of names available to be sampled for each judge, a random sample of names was drawn if the quantity of potential respondents was large. On the other hand, if the count of possible respondents was small, all potential respondents were included in the sample. Where a person had been in more than one judge’s courtroom, the selection criteria for which judge he or she would be sent a questionnaire was generally for the judge in whose courtroom the potential respondent had been in most often. 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 15 ## Page 19 Non-Attorney Survey: Each person whose name was sampled for the Non- Attorney Survey was mailed an initial postcard informing the recipient that he or she would be receiving a questionnaire. Two to three weeks after the post card was mailed, the potential respondent was sent a personalized introductory letter and a questionnaire with a postage-paid return envelope. If the person did not respond, a second questionnaire and letter were sent approximately four weeks later. Non-Attorney Questions: The questionnaire used in the 2009 Judicial Performance Survey asked non-attorney respondents to use a grade of A, B, C, D, or F (Fail) to assess the judge’s performance in five different areas: Demeanor, Fairness, Communications, Diligence and Application of Law. These scores were then converted to a numerical value where A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1 and Fail = 0. A copy of the questionnaire is included at the end of this report. Non-attorney Cooperation Rate: The estimated cooperation rate for the Non- attorney Survey is calculated as the number of completed questionnaires divided by the number of eligible respondents who actually received a questionnaire. The following table shows the total number of questionnaires mailed, completed, non-responses & refusals, undeliverables and other responses. The table presents the estimated overall cooperation rate as well as the cooperation rate by the different types of respondents. The true cooperation rates are likely higher than shown because of the percentage of people who were mailed questionnaires about judges who they had not observed. This is due, in part, to many cases being disposed of without the parties having appeared in court, as well as in the case of law enforcement, the data includes all those who were subpoenaed for a case, not just those who appeared. A table of the response counts by respondent type for Judge Celeste is shown below, and immediately following is a table of the overall cooperation rates for the 2009 Interim Survey, again by type of respondent. 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 16 ## Page 20 Judge Mary Celeste Judge Response Counts by Type of Respondent Total No Undeliverable/ Other Non- Coop Role Type Sent Response Not Applicable Responses Completes Rate Attorneys Criminal District Attorneys 53 36 1 0 16 30.8% Defense Attorneys 153 97 3 0 53 35.3% Other Attorneys Criminal 9 3 2 0 4 57.1% Total Attorneys 215 136 6 0 73 34.9% Non-attorneys Criminal Victim 73 52 19 1 1 1.9% Witness 7 4 1 1 1 16.7% Other 36 26 9 0 1 3.7% Law Enforcement 205 147 23 2 33 18.1% Defendant 362 171 180 3 8 4.4% Civil Litigant 8 6 1 0 1 14.3% Jurors 142 65 15 1 61 48.0% Total Non-attorneys 833 471 248 8 106 18.1% Grand Total: 1048 607 254 8 179 22.5% 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 17 ## Page 21 Total Response Counts by Type of Respondent for All Judges Total No Undeliverable/ Other Non- Cooperation Sent Response Not Applicable responses Completes Rate Attorney Evaluations Criminal District Attorneys 2,251 1,169 82 2 998 46.0% Defense Attorneys 3,453 1,852 128 6 1,467 44.1% Other Attorneys Crmnl 3,283 1,887 85 4 1,307 40.9% Civil Attorneys for Litigants 3,123 1,286 219 7 1,611 55.5% Other Attorneys Civil 2,647 1,422 94 4 1,127 44.1% Attorneys, Unknown Role 393 29 41 3 320 90.9% Total Attorneys 15,150 7,645 649 26 6,830 47.1% Non-attorneys Criminal Law Enforcement 11,127 5,895 2,627 213 2,392 28.1% Defendant 56,759 28,224 22,971 543 5,021 14.9% Victim 301 197 82 6 16 7.3% Witness 9,152 4,836 3,013 376 927 15.1% Other 4,225 2,481 1,151 55 538 17.5% Civil Litigant 20,328 11,335 4,758 289 3,946 25.3% Witness 298 161 45 4 88 34.8% Other 327 165 79 6 77 31.0% Non-attnys, Unknown Role 546 276 190 4 76 21.3% Total Non-attorneys 103,063 53,570 34,916 1,496 13,081 19.2% Others Jurors 30,703 12,725 1,443 392 16,143 55.2% Total Other 30,703 12,725 1,443 392 16,143 55.2% Total 148,916 73,940 37,008 1,914 36,054 32.2% 2009 Colorado Interim Judicial Performance Survey 18 ## Page 22 Projectability Most surveys seen by the public are surveys that are intended to be projectable, that is the results from the sample of people surveyed can be used to estimate a percentage or value of the population sampled with a known probability of error. For example, a pre-election poll of 500 likely Colorado voters is used to estimate the percentage of voters who will vote for Candidate A on election day, plus or minus some number of percentage points. The plus or minus amount is usually what is known as the 95%-confidence interval (the known probability of error), or what the media often refers to as the margin-of-error. The Colorado Judicial Performance Evaluation Survey is not projectable with a known probability of error because the results are calculated from a self-selecting sample that is self-selecting based on the content and subject matter of the survey. In other words, the potential respondent knows the purpose and content of the survey, and based on that, decides whether to respond to the survey. While projectability within a known probability of error is a highly desirable attribute of a survey, it is often not feasible to achieve. Commercial market research often uses nonprojectable (and small) samples—the most well known of which are for focus groups. Moreover, the federal courts have long accepted, and do not expect, projectable samples for market confusion surveys used in trademark litigation. In other words, one can still use the results of the Judicial Performance Evaluation Survey to estimate how everyone who has observed a judge in the courtroom would grade him or her, just not with a known probability of error. The Judicial Performance Evaluation Survey is a valuable means, perhaps the only practical means, for the Judicial Performance Commissions to have a summary of structured interviews with a number of people who have courtroom familiarity with the judge being evaluated, and who most often—albeit not always—are responding out of a desire to improve the performance of our state’s judicial system. 2009 Colorado Interim Judicial Performance Survey 19 ## Page 23 Survey Results The report shows the Attorney and Non-attorney Survey results both graphically and in tables. Graphs: The graphs visually display the average numerical grade for each of the A through F scaled questions (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1 and F = 0) for the report-judge compared to the average grade for all county judges in the 2009 Interim Survey. Overall averages for each of the five performance components1 and the total overall average for all grade-scale questions are also graphed for the report-judge and all county judges. In addition to the grade-scale graphs, the questions regarding bias in favor the prosecution or defense, sentencing (non-attorney survey only) and the retention question are also graphed. Tables: This section shows the same information as in the graphs in tabular form plus the percentage distribution of grades and response categories for each question. For comparison purposes, the next four pages—two for the Attorney Survey and two for the Non-attorney Survey—show the combined percentage distribution of grades and grade averages for all county judges. The overall averages shown in the graphs and tables are calculated by summing the average grade for each question and dividing by the number of questions summed. This gives each question equal weight in computing the overall averages. The sample size for each survey is shown at the beginning of both the Attorney Survey section and the Non-attorney Survey section and on each of the tables. This is the number of respondents who answered most or all of the questions in the questionnaire. It should be noted, however, that the number of responses for individual questions can vary from the overall sample size. For example, question 2d and the question about prosecution/defense bias in the Attorney Survey were only asked of attorneys who had observed the judge in a criminal case—approximately two-thirds of attorneys surveyed. Similarly, questions 6 and 7 in the Non-Attorney Survey were asked only of respondents acquainted with the judge’s performance in criminal cases. 1 The five performance components measured in the Attorney questionnaire were Case Management, Application and K knowledge of Law, Communications, Demeanor and Diligence, and in the Non-attorney questionnaire the components were Demeanor, Fairness, Communications, Diligence and Application of Law. 2009 Colorado Interim Judicial Performance Survey 20 ## Page 24 Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges All County Judges Average Sample Size = 2909 A B C D Fail DK/NA Grade 1. Case Management: 1a.Promptly issuing a decision on the case after trial. 49% 19% 6% 2% 1% 24% 3.48 1b.Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 60% 25% 9% 3% 2% 2% 3.40 1c.Promptly ruling on pre-trial motions. 45% 21% 8% 3% 1% 22% 3.36 1d.Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 55% 23% 9% 4% 2% 6% 3.35 Overall Case Management 3.40 2. Application and Knowledge of Law: 2a.Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 52% 26% 10% 5% 2% 4% 3.25 2b.Basing decisions on evidence and arguments. 49% 26% 12% 6% 3% 4% 3.15 2c.Willing to reconsider error in fact or law. 33% 18% 11% 7% 4% 27% 2.95 2d.Issuing consistent sentences when the circumstances are 43% 24% 9% 4% 3% 17% 3.20 similar. Overall Application and Knowledge of Law 3.14 3. Communications: 3a.Making sure all participants understand the proceedings. 65% 22% 8% 2% 1% 2% 3.49 3b.Providing written communications that are clear, thorough 39% 18% 8% 4% 2% 29% 3.23 and well reasoned. Overall Communications 3.36 4. Demeanor: 4a. Giving proceedings a sense of dignity. 63% 22% 9% 4% 3% 1% 3.40 4b. Treating parties with respect. 64% 19% 8% 5% 3% 1% 3.37 4c. Conducting his/her courtroom in a neutral manner. 57% 20% 11% 7% 4% 1% 3.20 4d. Consistently applying laws and rules. 52% 23% 10% 6% 3% 6% 3.22 4d. Consistently applying laws and rules. 52% 23% 10% 6% 3% 6% 3.23 Overall Demeanor 3.30 5. Diligence: 5a.Using good judgment in application of relevant law and 50% 26% 11% 6% 4% 4% 3.16 rules. 5b.Doing the necessary homework and being prepared for 49% 24% 10% 5% 3% 10% 3.23 his/her cases. 5c.Being willing to handle cases on the docket even when 50% 18% 8% 3% 2% 19% 3.35 they are complicated and time consuming. Overall Diligence 3.25 Overall Average Grade: 3.28 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 21 ## Page 25 Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average All County Judges Grade Sample Size = 2909 Would you say the judge is: Very biased in favor of the prosecution 10% Somewhat biased in favor of the prosecution 30% Completely neutral 46% Somewhat biased in favor of the defense 7% Very biased in favor of the defense 2% Don't know/not sure 5% 8. How strongly do you recommend that the Judge be retained or not retained in office? [Percentages excluding undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain in office 70% Somewhat recommend retain in office 16% Somewhat recommend not retain in office 7% Strongly recommend not retain in office 7% Total Retain 86% Total Not Retain 14% [Percentages including undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain in office 66% Somewhat recommend retain in office 16% Somewhat recommend retain in office 15% Undecided or dont know enough to make recommendation 5% Somewhat recommend not retain in office 6% Strongly recommend not retain in office 7% Total Retain 97% Undecided/Don't Know 5% Total Not Retain 13% 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 22 ## Page 26 Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges All County Judges Average Sample Size = 11374 A B C D Fail DK/NA Grade 1. Demeanor: 1a.Giving court proceedings a sense of dignity. 69% 19% 6% 2% 2% 1% 3.52 1b.Treating participants in the case politely and with respect. 73% 16% 5% 3% 3% 1% 3.53 1c.Conducting court in a neutral manner. 70% 16% 5% 3% 4% 1% 3.47 1d.Having a sense of compassion and human understanding 65% 18% 6% 3% 5% 2% 3.39 for those who appear before the court. Overall Demeanor 3.48 2. Fairness: 2a.Giving participants an opportunity to be heard. 72% 15% 5% 3% 3% 2% 3.53 2b.Treating those involved in the case without bias. 69% 15% 5% 3% 5% 3% 3.43 2c.Treating fairly people who represent themselves. 50% 11% 4% 2% 4% 28% 3.42 2d.Giving each side enough time to present his or her case. 69% 15% 5% 2% 3% 5% 3.52 Overall Fairness 3.48 3. Communications: 3a.Making sure participants understand the proceedings, and 73% 16% 6% 2% 2% 1% 3.58 what is going on in the courtroom. 3b.Using language that everyone can understand. 73% 17% 5% 2% 1% 1% 3.61 3c.Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom can hear 76% 16% 5% 1% 1% 1% 3.65 what is being said. Overall Communications 3.61 4. Diligence: 4a.Beginning court on time 60% 22% 9% 3% 3% 3% 3.36 4b.Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 74% 16% 5% 2% 2% 2% 3.62 4c.Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 60% 17% 6% 2% 2% 13% 3.50 4d.Being prepared for cases. 67% 16% 5% 2% 2% 7% 3.54 4e.Managing court proceedings so that there is little wasted 63% 21% 7% 3% 3% 3% 3.43 time. Overall Diligence 3.49 5. Application of Law: 5a.Giving reasons for rulings. 62% 17% 6% 3% 4% 7% 3.41 5b.Willing to make decisions without regard to possible 57% 13% 5% 3% 4% 18% 3.43 outside pressure. 5c.Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 64% 16% 5% 3% 5% 8% 3.42 Overall Application of Law 3.42 Overall Average Grade: 3.49 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 23 ## Page 27 Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average All County Judges Grade Sample Size = 11374 6. How biased do you think the Judge is toward the defense or prosecution? [Please see the questionnaire at the end of report for question wording.] Biased in favor of the prosecution total 14% Competely neutral 77% Biased in favor of the defense total 8% Average 0.15 7. How lenient or harsh do you think the sentences generally handed down by Judge are? [Please see the questionnaire at the end of report for question wording.] Harsh sentencing total 16% Competely neutral 73% Lenient sentencing total 12% Average 0.15 10. Retain percentage without undecideds. [Percentages excluding undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain in office 81% Somewhat recommend retain in office 9% Somewhat recommend not retain in office 3% Strongly recommend not retain in office 7% Total Retain 90% Total Not Retain 10% [Percentages including undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain in office 74% Somewhat recommend retain in office 8% Undecided or dont know enough to make recommendation 9% Somewhat recommend not retain in office 3% Strongly recommend not retain in office 6% Total Retain 82% Undecided/Don't Know 9% Total Not Retain 9% 2009 Interim Judicial Performance Survey 24 ## Page 28 QQuueessttiioonnnnaaiirreess ## Page 29 Colorado Judicial Performance Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Survey Questions _ Which of the following types of cases have you observed Judge (Last Name)’s performance? Please circle all that apply. (Only respondents who indicate they have observed the judge in “criminal other than traffic” cases will be asked question 2c and question 6.) Civil . 1 Criminal other than traffic . 2 Traffic . 3 Domestic . 4 Juvenile . 5 Probate . 6 Other . 9 1. Case Management: a. Promptly issuing a decision on the case after trial. A B C D F DK/NS b. Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. A B C D F DK/NS c. Promptly ruling on pre-trial motions. A B C D F DK/NS d. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. A B C D F DK/NS 2. Application and Knowledge of Law: a. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. A B C D F DK/NS b. Basing decisions on evidence and arguments. A B C D F DK/NS c. Willing to reconsider error in fact or law. A B C D F DK/NS d. [Criminal only] Issuing consistent sentences when the circumstances are similar. A B C D F DK/NS 3. Communications: a. Makings sure all participants understand the proceedings. A B C D F DK/NS b. Providing written communications that are clear, thorough and well reasoned. A B C D F DK/NS 4. Demeanor: a. Giving proceedings a sense of dignity. A B C D F DK/NS b. Treating participants with respect. A B C D F DK/NS c. Conducting his/her courtroom in a neutral manner. A B C D F DK/NS d. Consistently applying laws and rules. A B C D F DK/NS 5. Diligence: a. Using good judgment in application of relevant law and rules. A B C D F DK/NS b. Doing the necessary “homework” and being prepared for his/her cases. A B C D F DK/NS c. Being willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time consuming. A B C D F DK/NS 1 ## Page 30 Having observed Judge (Last Name) in a criminal case, would you say the judge is: (This question is asked only if respondent indicated at the beginning of the survey he/she observed the judge in a criminal case.) Very biased in favor of the prosecution . 1 Somewhat biased in favor of the prosecution . 2 Completely Neutral . 3 Somewhat biased in favor of the defense . 4 Very biased in favor of the defense . 5 Don’t Know/Not Sure . 9 6. What would you say are Judge (Last Name)’s strengths? _ _ _ 7. What would you say are Judge (Last Name)’s weaknesses? _ _ _ 8. Keeping in mind your responses to each of the previous questions, how strongly do you recommend that Judge (Last Name) be retained in office, or not retained in office? Strongly recommend he be retained in office . 5 Somewhat recommend he be retained in office . 4 Undecided or don’t know enough to make recommendation . 3 Somewhat recommend he not be retained in office . 2 Strongly recommend he not be retained in office . 1 2 ## Page 31 9. And what would you say are Judge [Last Name]’s weaknesses? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Commission on Judicial Performance ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Evaluation of 10. Keeping in mind your responses to each of the previous questions, how JUDGE [FULL NAME] strongly do you recommend that Judge [Last Name] be retained in office, or not retained in office? Strongly recommend he/she be retained in office ................................ 5 Somewhat recommend he/she be retained in office ............................ 4 Undecided or don’t know enough to make recommendation ............. 3 If we have made a mistake and you either were not in Judge [Last Somewhat recommend he/she not be retained in office ..................... 2 Name]’s courtroom in the past 18 months, or you feel that you do not Strongly recommend he/she not be retained in office ......................... 1 have sufficient experience with Judge [Last Name] to have an opinion the judge’s judicial performance, please just return this questionnaire, unanswered, in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, to stop any further requests to evaluate Judge [Last Name]. Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Please place it in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided and place it in the mail. Your participation in this survey is very much appreciated. Using a grade scale, where an “A” is excellent along with B, C, D or F for fail, please grade the judge on the following. (If you feel that you don’t have experience with the judge in a specific area, or just don’t know, please circle the number corresponding to “Don’t Know/Not Applicable”—DK/NA). DK 1. Demeanor: A B C D F N/A a. Giving court proceedings a sense of dignity. 4 3 2 1 0 9 b. Treating participants in the case politely and with respect. 4 3 2 1 0 9 c. Conducting his/her courtroom in a neutral manner. 4 3 2 1 0 9 d. Having a sense of compassion and human understanding for those who appear before him/her. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ## Page 32 DK 6. [If you were in [Last Name]’s courtroom during a criminal case or 2. Fairness: A B C D F N/A cases please answer this question, otherwise skip to the next a. Giving participants an opportunity to be heard. 4 3 2 1 0 9 question.] On the scale below, please indicate by circling the appropriate b. Treating those involved in the case without bias. 4 3 2 1 0 9 number how biased you think Judge [Last Name] is toward the defense or c. Treating fairly people who represent themselves. 4 3 2 1 0 9 the prosecution. If you feel Judge [Last Name] is completely unbiased, circle “0.” d. Giving each side enough time to present his or her case. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Bias toward Completely Bias toward Defense Neutral Prosecution DK 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 3. Communications: A B C D F N/A a. Makings sure participants understand the 7. [If you were in [Last Name]’s courtroom during a criminal case or proceedings, and what’s going on in the cases please answer this question, otherwise skip to the next courtroom. 4 3 2 1 0 9 question.] On the scale below, please indicate by circling the appropriate b. Using language that everyone can understand. 4 3 2 1 0 9 number how lenient or how harsh you think the sentences generally handed c. Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom down by [Last Name] are. If you feel Judge [Last Name] generally hands can hear what’s being said. 4 3 2 1 0 9 down appropriate sentences, circle “0.” DK Sentences Appropriate Sentences 4. Diligence: A B C D F N/A Too Light Sentences Too Harsh a. Beginning court on time. 4 3 2 1 0 9 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 b. Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 c. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 d. Being prepared for his/her cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Though your name will never be associated with your answers, because the judge will e. Managing court proceedings so that there is see a typed transcript of the comments that you and others write, it is important that little wasted time. 4 3 2 1 0 9 you do not include information in the comments below that would unintentionally identify you as the author. 8. What would you say are Judge [Last Name]’s strengths? DK ___________________________________________________________ 5. Application of Law: A B C D F N/A ___________________________________________________________ a. Giving reasons for rulings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ___________________________________________________________ b. Willing to make decision without regard to ___________________________________________________________ possible outside pressure. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ___________________________________________________________ c. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ___________________________________________________________ Continued on Back Page
  • 2010 Retention Survey Report(PDF on OJPE)
    Read full retention survey textexpandcollapse

    ## Page 1 State of Colorado Logo COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE TThhee HHoonnoorraabbllee MMaarryy CCeelleessttee 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 2nd Judicial District ## Page 2 March 30, 2010 The Honorable Mary Celeste City & County Bldg. 1437 Bannock St., Room 108 Denver, CO 80202 Dear Judge Celeste: I am pleased to make available to you the attached copy of your 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report. The report is based on two surveys relating to how you are seen carrying out the performance of your office: One of attorneys who have had cases in your court or who are knowledgeable about your judicial performance, and second a survey of non-attorneys who have observed your performance in court or who have otherwise been affected by your performance of a judge. The methodology underlying these surveys has changed somewhat since the last reports were issued in 2009. A few minutes perusing the methodology section toward the end of this report should inform you of the relevant changes, and provide you with a methodological context to better interpret your survey results. In addition to this introduction, the report is divided into five main sections: A brief summary of the results of the two surveys. The numerical results of the survey of attorneys in both tabular and graphical form. In addition to the numerical results, this section also contains comments attorneys made about your judicial performance. In some instances the comments have been redacted to eliminate respondent identifying information. A copy of the attorney questionnaire is at the back of this report. The numerical results of the survey of non-attorneys in both tabular and graphical form. In addition to the numerical results, this section also contains comments these respondent made on the subject of your judicial performance. In few instances the comments have been redacted to eliminate respondent identifying information. A copy of the non-attorney questionnaire is at the back of this report. The fourth section of the Report discusses the methodology of the surveys. The final section provides copies of the questions or questionnaires that were used for each survey. 100 Arap ahoe, Suite One, Boulder, CO 80302 Phone 303.443.5300 Fax 303.200.7385 ## Page 3 Hon. Mary Celeste March 30, 2010 Page 2 If you have any questions about the methodology and how the survey was conducted, please feel free to contact me at 303-443-5300 ext 1 or by email at talmey@talmeyresearch.com (please put the words “Judicial Performance” in the subject line), and for any other questions you might have about the survey please call the Executive Director of the Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation, Jane Howell, at 303-866-6465. Best regards, Paul A. Talmey President enc: ## Page 4 SSuummmmaarryy ooff RReessuullttss Attorneys assigned Judge Mary Celeste an overall average grade1 of 2.56, and non- attorneys assigned Judge Celeste an overall average grade of 3.65 resulting in a combined grade of 3.11. The average combined grade for all county judges, including those not eligible to stand for retention in 2010, was 3.41. The combined average grade is computed as the total of the overall average from the attorney survey plus the overall average from the non-attorney survey, divided by two. Judge Celeste Average Grade Combined Attorney Non-attorney Overall Grade 3.11 2.56 3.65 Sample Size - 77 107 Table 1 The results presented in this report are based on data collected in 2007, 2008 and 2009. (See Methodology section for description of sampling process.) Table 2 shows Judge Celeste’s overall average grades for each of these years. Judge Celeste Average Grades by Year Combined Overall Attorney Overall Non-Attny Overall Average Score2 Average Score Average Score 2007 2008 2009 2007 2008 2009 2007 2008 2009 Overall Grade 3.41 3.18 2.88 3.08 2.84 2.17 3.73 3.51 3.58 Sample Size - - - 7 34 36 68 36 3 Table 2 1 The overall average grade for the attorney and non-attorney surveys are computed by summing the average grade for each A through F question and dividing by the number of questions. See the tables in each of the survey sections. 2 County judges who were appointed between 2007 and 2009 will not have sample for the years prior to their appointment. In the tables for those years with no sample, the sample size will be shown as 0, and the overall average cells will be blank. This will also be true for a few judges who had no attorney sample even though they were on the bench that year. 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 1 ## Page 5 Due to sending questionnaires to all jurors—not just a sample—and their much higher response rate than other non-attorneys surveyed, the percentage of jurors in the county judge sample of the non-attorney survey is 47%. Moreover, jurors tend to grade judges much higher than non-jurors. The average juror overall average grade for county judges was 3.82, while the overall average grade awarded by non-jurors was 3.26. The effect of this is that judges with a higher percentage of jurors in their sample tend to have higher average grades in the non-attorney survey than those judges with a small percentage of jurors. The number of jurors in a judge’s sample is, of course, closely related to the number of jury trials the judge presides over. The table below shows Judge Celeste’s non-attorney results broken out by jurors and non-jurors. It also shows the overall average juror and non-juror grades for all county Judge Celeste Average Grade by Juror/Non-juror Jurors Non-Jurors Overall Grade 3.84 3.39 Percent of Sample 57% 43% Sample Size 61 46 County Judge Average 3.82 3.26 Table 3 judges. Table 3 allows one to compare Judge Celeste’s juror and non-juror grades with the all county judge averages to better ascertain if the judge is seen as performing relatively well or relatively poorly among these two subgroups. 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 2 ## Page 6 SSuurrvveeyy ooff AAtoorrnneeyyss RReeggaarrddiinngg JJuuddggee MMaarryy CCeelleessttee ((SSaammppllee SSiizzee 7)) ## Page 7 Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Judge Mary Celeste All County Sample Size = 77 A B C D Fail DK/NA Mary Celeste Judges 1. Case Management: 1a. Promptly issuing a decision on the case after trial. 25% 21% 12% 3% 1% 39% 3.06 3.49 1b. Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 39% 31% 18% 8% 4% 0% 2.94 3.43 1c. Promptly ruling on pre-trial motions. 27% 23% 14% 4% 1% 30% 3.02 3.37 1d. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 34% 29% 18% 8% 4% 7% 2.87 3.37 Overall Case Management 2.97 3.42 2. Application and Knowledge of Law: 2a. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 26% 21% 21% 18% 9% 5% 2.38 3.26 2b. Basing decisions on evidence and arguments. 19% 22% 26% 16% 10% 6% 2.26 3.13 2c. Willing to reconsider error in fact or law. 14% 11% 16% 22% 12% 25% 1.91 3.04 2d. Issuing consistent sentences when the circumstances are 26% 23% 15% 16% 7% 14% 2.52 3.24 similar. Overall Application and Knowledge of Law 2.27 3.17 3. Communications: 3a. Making sure all participants understand the proceedings. 30% 38% 23% 4% 5% 0% 2.83 3.52 3b. Providing written communications that are clear, thorough 11% 17% 10% 5% 10% 48% 2.30 3.24 and well reasoned. Overall Communications 2.57 3.38 4. Demeanor: 4a. Giving proceedings a sense of dignity. 30% 25% 30% 10% 5% 0% 2.64 3.42 4b. Treating parties with respect. 27% 23% 22% 16% 12% 0% 2.39 3.38 4c. Conducting his/her courtroom in a neutral manner. 29% 19% 21% 21% 10% 0% 2.35 3.23 4d. Consistently applying laws and rules. 26% 26% 19% 17% 6% 5% 2.51 3.24 Overall Demeanor 2.47 3.32 5. Diligence: 5a. Using good judgment in application of relevant law and 27% 22% 26% 12% 9% 4% 2.49 3.18 rules. 5b. Doing the necessary homework and being prepared for 23% 22% 17% 12% 10% 16% 2.43 3.26 his/her cases. 5c. Being willing to handle cases on the docket even when 25% 17% 18% 9% 8% 23% 2.54 3.37 they are complicated and time consuming. Overall Diligence 2.49 3.27 Overall Average Grade: 2.56 3.31 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 4 ## Page 8 Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Percentage Judge Mary Celeste All County Mary Celeste Judges Sample Size = 77 Would you say the judge is: Very biased in favor of the prosecution 27% 10% Somewhat biased in favor of the prosecution 43% 29% Completely neutral 22% 48% Somewhat biased in favor of the defense 5% 6% Very biased in favor of the defense 0% 2% Don't know or not sure 3% 5% 8. How strongly do you recommend that the Judge be retained in office, or not be retained in office? [Percentages excluding undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain 37% 71% Somewhat recommend retain 29% 16% Somewhat recommend not retain 16% 6% Strongly recommend not retain 18% 7% Total Retain 66% 87% Total Not Retain 34% 13% [Percentages including undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain 33% 67% Somewhat recommend retain 27% 15% Undecided or Don't Know 9% 5% Somewhat recommend not retain 15% 6% Strongly recommend not retain 16% 7% Total Retain 60% 82% Undecided/Don't Know 9% 5% Total Not Retain 31% 13% 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 5 ## Page 9 Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Grades 2.56 Overall Average Grade 3.31 Q1. Overall Case Management 2.97 3.42 1a. Promptly issuing a decision on the 3.06 case after trial. 3.49 1b. Maintainingappropriate control over 2.94 proceedings. 3.43 3.02 1c. Promptlyruling on pre-trial motions. 3.37 1d.Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 2.87 3.37 2.27 Q2. OverallApp & Knowledge of Law 3.17 2a. Beingable to identify and analyze 2.38 relevant facts. 3.26 2b.Basing decisions on evidence and argument. 2.26 3.13 2c. Willing to reconsider error in fact or law. 3.04 2d. [Criminal only] Issuing consistant sentences 2.52 whencircumstances are simmilar. 3.24 2.57 Q3. Overall Communication 3.38 3a.Making sure all participants understand 2.83 the proceedings. 3.52 3b. Providing written communications that are 2.30 clear, thorough and well reasoned. 3.24 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary Celeste All County Judges 2J01u0 dJugdiceial MPeraforrmyan cCe eSulrevesy Rteeport 6 ## Page 10 Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Grades 2.47 Q4. Overall Demeanor 3.32 2.64 4a. Giving proceedingsa sense of dignity. 3.42 2.39 4b. Treating participants with respect. 3.38 4c. Conducting [his/her] courtroom 2.35 in a neutral manner. 3.23 2.51 4d. Consistanly applyinglaws and rules. 3.24 2.49 Q5. Overall Diligence 3.27 5a. Using good judgement in application of 2.49 releveant laws and rules. 3.18 5b. Doing the necessary 'homework' and 2.43 being prepared for [his/her] cases. 3.26 5c. Being willing to handle cases on the docket even 2.54 when they are complicated and time consuming. 3.37 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Biased in favor of prosecution/defense. 27% Very biased in favor of the prosecution 10% 43% Somewhat biased in favor of the prosecution 29% 22% Completely Neutral 48% 5% Somewhat biased in favor of the defense 6% 0% Very biased in favor of the defense 2% 3% Don't know/not sure 5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Mary Celeste All County Judges 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 7 ## Page 11 Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Q8. How strongly do you recommend that Judge Celeste be retained or not retained in office? Excluding Undecided Respondents 37% Strongly recommend retain 71% 29% Somewhat recommend retain 16% All Cnty Judge Celeste Judges 16% Total Retain 66% 87% Somewhat recommend not retain Total Not Retain 34% 13% 6% 18% Strongly recommend not retain 7% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Including Undecided Respondents 33% Strongly recommend retain 67% 27% Somewhat recommend retain 15% All Cnty 9% Judge Celeste Judges Undecided or DK 5% Total Retain 60% 82% Undecided or DK 9% 5% 15% Somewhat recommend not retain Total Not Retain 31% 13% 6% 16% Strongly recommend not retain 7% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Mary Celeste All County Judges 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 8 ## Page 12 SSuurrvveeyy ooff NNoonn--AAtoorrnneeyyss RReeggaarrddiinngg JJuuddggee MMaarryy CCeelleessttee ((SSaammppllee SSiizzee 110077)) ## Page 13 Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Judge Mary Celeste All County Sample Size = 107 A B C D Fail DK/NA Mary Celeste Judges 1. Demeanor: 1a. Giving court proceedings a sense of dignity. 70% 24% 1% 1% 1% 4% 3.66 3.54 1b. Treating participants in the case politely and with respect. 70% 20% 3% 1% 1% 5% 3.66 3.55 1c. Conducting court in a neutral manner. 72% 17% 1% 3% 3% 4% 3.59 3.50 1d. Having a sense of compassion and human understanding 67% 20% 1% 1% 2% 9% 3.64 3.42 for those who appear before the court. Overall Demeanor 3.64 3.50 2. Fairness: 2a. Giving participants an opportunity to be heard. 75% 15% 3% 1% 1% 5% 3.71 3.55 2b. Treating those involved in the case without bias. 76% 13% 1% 1% 4% 5% 3.65 3.46 2c. Treating fairly people who represent themselves. 53% 12% 1% 1% 2% 30% 3.64 3.46 2d. Giving each side enough time to present his or her case. 71% 15% 2% 3% 2% 7% 3.62 3.55 Overall Fairness 3.66 3.51 3. Communications: 3a. Making sure participants understand the proceedings, and 71% 22% 0% 1% 1% 5% 3.70 3.60 what is going on in the courtroom. 3b. Using language that everyone can understand. 74% 18% 1% 1% 1% 5% 3.72 3.63 3c. Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom can hear 80% 14% 0% 1% 1% 4% 3.78 3.66 what is being said. Overall Communications 3.73 3.63 4. Diligence: 4a. Beginning court on time 56% 23% 13% 3% 1% 5% 3.36 3.39 4b. Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 77% 13% 5% 1% 1% 4% 3.70 3.64 4c. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 57% 20% 5% 2% 1% 15% 3.53 3.52 4d. Being prepared for cases. 75% 15% 2% 1% 1% 7% 3.73 3.56 4e. Managing court proceedings so that there is little wasted 70% 20% 2% 3% 1% 4% 3.62 3.45 time. Overall Diligence 3.59 3.51 5. Application of Law: 5a. Giving reasons for rulings. 70% 16% 2% 2% 2% 9% 3.64 3.44 5b. Willing to make decisions without regard to possible 66% 13% 0% 4% 2% 16% 3.62 3.47 outside pressure. 5c. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 70% 16% 1% 2% 2% 9% 3.65 3.45 Overall Application of Law 3.64 3.45 Overall Average Grade: 3.65 3.52 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 10 ## Page 14 Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Percentage Judge Mary Celeste All County Mary Celeste Judges Sample Size = 107 6. How biased do you think the Judge is toward the defense or prosecution? [Please see the questionnaire at the end of report for question wording.] Biased in favor of the prosecution total 2% 14% Competely neutral 89% 78% Biased in favor of the defense total 9% 8% [A positive average indicates bias toward prosecution, and a Average -0.13 0.14 negative average indicates a bias toward the defense.] 7. How lenient or harsh do you think the sentences generally handed down by Judge are? [Please see the questionnaire at the end of report for question wording.] Harsh sentencing total 6% 13% Competely neutral 81% 74% Lenient sentencing total 14% 12% [A positive average indicates sentences are harsh, and a Average -0.11 0.11 negative average indicates sentences are lenient.] 10. How strongly do you recommend that the Judge be retained or not retained in office? [Percentages excluding undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain 90% 82% Somewhat recommend retain 5% 9% Somewhat recommend not retain 1% 3% Strongly recommend not retain 4% 6% Total Retain 95% 91% Total Not Retain 5% 9% [Percentages including undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain 80% 75% Somewhat recommend retain 4% 8% Undecided or Don't Know 12% 9% Somewhat recommend not retain 1% 3% Strongly recommend not retain 3% 6% Total Retain 84% 83% Undecided/Don't Know 12% 9% Total Not Retain 4% 9% 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 11 ## Page 15 Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Grades 3.65 Overall Average Grade 3.52 3.64 Q1. Overall Demeanor 3.50 3.66 1a. Giving proceedings a sense of dignity. 3.54 1b. Treating participants politely and with respect. 3.66 3.55 1c. Conducting the courtroom in a neutral 3.59 manner. 3.50 1d. Having a sense of compassion and human 3.64 understanding for those who appear before the judge. 3.42 3.66 Q2. Overall Fairness 3.51 2a. Giving participants an opportunity to be 3.71 heard. 3.55 2b. Treating those involved in the 3.65 case without bias. 3.46 2c. Treats people fairly who represent 3.64 themselves. 3.46 2d. Giving each side enough time to present his 3.62 or her case. 3.55 3.73 Q3. Overall Communtications 3.63 3a. Making sure participants understand the 3.70 proceedings, and what's going on in the courtroom. 3.60 3b. Using language that everyone can 3.72 understand. 3.63 3c. Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom 3.78 can hear what's being said. 3.66 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary Celeste All County Judges 20J1u0 Jdudgicieal PMerfaormryan cCe Seurlveeys Rteeport 12 ## Page 16 Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average Grades 3.59 Q4. Overall Diligence 3.51 3.36 4a. Beginning court on time. 3.39 4b. Maintaining appropriate control over 3.70 proceedings. 3.64 4c. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 3.53 3.52 4d. Being prepared for his or her cases. 3.73 3.56 4e. Managing court proceedings so that there is 3.62 little wasted time. 3.45 3.64 Q5. Overall Legal Ability 3.45 5a. Giving reasons for rulings. 3.64 3.44 5b. Willing to make decision without regard to 3.62 possible outside pressure. 3.47 5c. Being able to identify and analyze 3.65 relevant facts. 3.45 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Q6 Biased in favor of prosecution/defense. -0.13 Mary Celeste 0.14 All County Judges -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5   Defense Prosecution Q7 Lenience or Harshness in Sentencing. -0.11 Mary Celeste 0.11 All County Judges -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5   Lenient Harsh Mary Celeste All County Judges 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 13 ## Page 17 Mary Celeste All County Judges Judge Mary Celeste Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Q10. How strongly do you recommend that Judge Celeste be retained or not retained in office? Excluding Undecided Respondents 90% Strongly recommend retain in office 82% 5% Somewhat recommend retain in office 9% All Cnty Judge Celeste Judges Total Retain 95% 91% 1% Somewhat recommend not retain in office Total Not Retain 5% 9% 3% 4% Strongly recommend not retain in office 6% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Including Undecided Respondents 80% Strongly recommend retain in office 75% 4% Somewhat recommend retain in office 8% 12% All Cnty Undecided 9% Judge Celeste Judges Total Retain 84% 83% 1% Undecided 12% 9% Somewhat recommend not retain in office 3% Total Not Retain 4% 9% 3% Strongly recommend not retain in office 6% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Mary Celeste All County Judges 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 14 ## Page 18 MMeetthhooddoollooggyy ## Page 19 MMeetthhooddoollooggyy The results shown in the 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report are based on two surveys: The Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges and the Survey of Non- Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges. Below is a description of the methodology of the two surveys. I Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges a. Sample: Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy received case data with the names of people who had likely been in each judge’s courtroom from five primary sources: Colorado Judicial Department, Colorado District Attorneys’ Council Denver County Courts District Attorney’s Office, Second Judicial District (Denver) District Attorney’s Office, Ninth Judicial District Additional information was provided by the State Public Defender’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, 15th Judicial District. The data from these different data sources are combined, duplicates removed and addresses corrected. i. Prior to 2009, the survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges was conducted using paper questionnaires mailed to the attorneys’ offices. A sample of attorneys drawn from the case data were assigned to evaluate judges subject to the following rules applied in the order shown. 1. No attorney would be asked to evaluate the same judge in a 24 month period. 2. If an attorney was eligible to evaluate both a trial judge and an appellate judge, the attorney was assigned to evaluate the appellate judge. 3. If there were several judges the attorney could potentially evaluate, the attorney was assigned the judge with whom he or she had had the most cases during the sampling time frame, or the judge with the smallest sample in order to even out sample sizes among judges. Attorneys were mailed a questionnaire, and if they did not respond they were sent a reminder postcard followed by a second questionnaire and in some cases a second reminder postcard. Questionnaires were barcoded, and if an attorney mailed back two questionnaires, the second one was deleted from the data file. Attorneys who did not complete the survey after the second request were then telephoned and asked to complete the survey by phone. 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 16 ## Page 20 ii. In 2009 the Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Survey moved from being a paper survey mailed to potential respondents to an online survey. Moving the survey to online permitted asking individual attorneys to evaluate up to five trial judges, and with the exception of the effects of the modified assignment rules 1 through 3 below, it became a survey of all attorneys who had cases before trial judges. Allowing an attorney to evaluate up to five judges, entailed slightly modifying the assignment rules: 1. No attorney would be asked to evaluate the same justice or judge in a 24-month period. 2. If an attorney was eligible to evaluate both a trial judge and an appellate judge, the attorney was assigned to evaluate the appellate judge. 3. If there were more than five judges who could be assigned to the attorney, the attorney was assigned the judges with whom he or she had had the most cases during the sampling time frame, or the judges with the smallest samples in order to even out sample sizes among judges. Attorneys were first mailed a letter about the online survey to let them know that they would soon receive an email with a link to the survey. The Web address of the survey and a password were included in the letter if the attorney wanted to complete the survey immediately. A week after the first email was sent, a follow-up email was sent. Potential respondents who did not complete the survey after the second email were then telephoned and asked to either complete the survey then by phone, or to please complete it online. iii. In 2010 rule #2 above was changed so that an attorney could be asked to evaluate a combination of up to seven trial judges or Court of Appeals judges, if the attorney had had a case before the COA. Attorneys who had cases before the both the Supreme Court and trial judges during the sample time frame were asked to evaluate all seven Supreme Court justices, and not asked to evaluate the trial judges. The results shown in the 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report for the Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges survey are based on the combined data collected from January 2005 through early February 2010 1 for those questions that have been consistently asked during that time period. Starting in 2010, the Judicial Performance Survey reports are based on a moving average, or rolling sample, of data collected over a period of time equal to the justice’s or judge’s term of office: ten years for a Supreme Court justice, eight years for a COA judge, six years for a district judge and four years for a county judge. To use a district judge as an example: as survey data is collected it is pooled together for six years. After six years, as new data is added to the judge’s survey results in the first quarter of the seventh year, the oldest quarter of data in the pool is deleted. The current data for all judges only goes back as far as 2005—or the year the judge took the bench—therefore the rolling of the data only affects the county judge sample in the 2010 reports. 1 The State Commission on Judicial Performance authorized continuous surveying in 2007. Prior to 2007 data was only collected in the odd numbered years before the retention reports were issued. Therefore, while data was gathered in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and used in this report, there was no data collected in 2006. 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 17 ## Page 21 b. Questions: The survey questions asked respondents to use a grade of A, B, C, D, or F to assess the justice or judge's performance on twelve aspects of judicial performance. (See Questionnaire section.) These grades were then converted to a numerical scores where A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1 and Fail = 0. The A through F scale was chosen because it is almost universally recognized and understood. This makes it easy for respondents to complete their questionnaire, and for the public to interpret the results. Respondents were also asked if they considered the judge biased toward the defense or prosecution in criminal cases. In a final question, respondents were asked to indicate how strongly they would recommend that the justice or judge be retained or not retained in office. c. Comments: In addition to the A through F questions, respondents were also asked what they considered to be the judge’s strengths and what they considered to be the judge’s weaknesses. By statute these comments are confidential and only provided to the judge and the District Commission on Judicial Performance. They are not released to the public when the rest of the report is released. Before being given to the judge and the Commission, an attempt is made to redact all respondent identifying information from the comments. Since 2005 there have been changes to the number of comment questions, though the strengths and weaknesses questions have been asked in every survey. The number to the left of each comment refers to the same attorney respondent in both the strengths section and the weaknesses section. Most spelling and typographical errors have been fixed, but where the respondent entered a comment in all upper or all lower case, or without punctuation, the comment was not corrected. d. Analysis: The Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges section first shows a table of the percentage distribution for each of the A through F questions, including “don’t know” responses. The next column to the right shows the judge’s average grade for each question. For comparison purposes, averages were also computed for all county judges—including judges who are not eligible to stand for retention in 2010—and are shown in the furthest right column on the page. Tables showing the percentage distribution for all questions for all county judges are located at the end of this methodology section. The overall question averages are calculated by adding up the averages for each question and dividing by the number of questions. 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 18 ## Page 22 The next table shows the percentage distribution of the responses to the question about recommending retention. The first column of percentages is for the report-judge and the second column displays the percentages for all county judges. The percentages are shown both including and excluding “don’t know/undecided” responses. The next page displays the question averages in horizontal bar-graph form. The percentage distribution to the retention question is then presented in the graph on the next page. The third part of the Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges section of the report lists the comments the attorney made about the judge’s strengths and weaknesses. e. Cooperation Rate: The overall response rate for the Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Survey is calculated as the number of completed survey-evaluations divided by the number of possible evaluations. An equivalent response rate for an individual judge is computed as the number of completed survey-evaluations for that judge divided by the number of possible evaluations that could have been completed for the judge. From 2005 to 2010 a total of 7,796 attorneys were asked to participate in the Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Survey and on average to evaluate 4.3 judges each—a total of 33,257 potential attorney evaluations. A total of 4,986 attorneys responded (64.0%) with one or more survey evaluations, and the average number of judges evaluated per attorney was 2.5 . II Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges a. Sample: Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy received case data with the names of non-attorneys who had likely been in each judge’s courtroom from five primary sources: Colorado Judicial Department, Colorado District Attorneys’ Council Denver County Courts District Attorney’s Office, Second Judicial District (Denver) District Attorney’s Office, Ninth Judicial District The data from these different data sources are combined, duplicates removed and addresses corrected. In addition to non-attorneys who had likely been in the judge’s courtroom, names of court employees, including probation officers, were added to the non-attorney sample. 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 19 ## Page 23 Depending on the number of names available to be sampled for each judge, a random sample was drawn if the quantity of potential respondents was large. On the other hand, if the count of possible respondents was small, all potential respondents were included in the sample. Where a person had been in more than one judge’s courtroom, the selection criteria for which judge he or she would be sent a questionnaire was generally for the judge in whose courtroom the potential respondent had been in most often. Each person whose name was sampled for the Non-Attorney Survey was mailed an initial postcard informing the recipient that he or she would be receiving a questionnaire. Two to three weeks after the post card was mailed, the potential respondent was sent a personalized introductory letter and a questionnaire with a postage-paid return envelope. If the person did not respond, a second questionnaire and letter were sent approximately four weeks later. Questionnaires are barcoded, and if a respondent mailed back two questionnaires, the second one was deleted from the data file. Starting in 2010, non-attorney section of the Judicial Performance Survey reports are based on a moving average, or rolling sample, of data collected over a period of time equal to the judge’s term of office: six years for a district judge and four years for a county judge. To use a district judge as an example: as survey data is collected it is pooled together for six years. After six years, as new data is added to the judge’s survey results in the first quarter of the seventh year, the oldest quarter of data in the pool is deleted. The current data for all judges only goes back as far as 2005—or the year the judge took the bench—therefore the rolling of the data only affects the county judge sample in the 2010 reports. 2 b. Questions: The survey questions asked respondents to use a grade of A, B, C, D, or F to assess the justice or judge's performance on twelve aspects of judicial performance (See Questionnaire section.) These grades were then converted to a numerical scores where A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1 and Fail = 0. The A through F scale was chosen because it is almost universally recognized and understood. This makes it easy for respondents to complete their questionnaire, and for the public to interpret the results. Respondents were also asked if they considered the judge biased toward the defense or prosecution in criminal cases. In a final question, respondents were asked to indicate how strongly they would recommend that the justice or judge be retained or not retained in office. A copy of the questionnaire is included in the last section of this report. 2 The State Commission on Judicial Performance authorized continuous surveying in 2007. Prior to 2007 data was only collected in the odd numbered years before the retention reports were issued. Therefore, while data was gathered in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and used in this report, there was no data collected in 2006. 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 20 ## Page 24 c. Analysis: The Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges section first shows a table of the percentage distribution for each of the A through F questions, including “don’t know” responses. The next column to the right shows the judge’s average grade for each question. For comparison purposes, averages were also computed for all county judges—including judges who are not eligible to stand for retention in 2010—and are shown in the furthest right column on the page. Tables showing the percentage distribution for all questions for all county judges are located at the end of this methodology section. The overall question averages are calculated by adding up the averages for each question and dividing by the number of questions. The next table shows the percentage distribution of the responses to the questions about prosecution or defense bias and recommending retention. The first column of percentages is for the report-judge and the second column displays the percentages for all county judges. The percentages for the retention question are shown including and excluding “don’t know/undecided” responses. The next page displays the question averages in horizontal bar-graph form. The percentage distribution of the prosecution-defense bias and retention questions are then presented in the graph on the next page. The third part of the Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges section of the report lists the comments the attorney made about the judge’s strengths and weaknesses. d. Comments: In addition to the A through F questions, non-attorney respondents were asked what they considered to be the judge’s strengths and what they considered to be the judge’s weaknesses. By statute these comments are confidential and only provided to the judge and the District Commission on Judicial Performance. They are not released to the public when the rest of the report is released. Before being given to the judge and the Commission, an attempt is made to redact all respondent identifying information from the comments. Since 2005 there have been changes to the number of comment questions, though the strengths and weaknesses questions have been asked in every survey. The number to the left of each comment refers to the same attorney respondent in both the strengths section and the weaknesses section. 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 21 ## Page 25 e. Cooperation Rate: The estimated cooperation rate for the Non-attorney Survey is calculated as the number of completed questionnaires divided by the number of eligible respondents who actually received a questionnaire. The following table shows the total number of questionnaires mailed, completed, non-responses and refusals, undeliverables and other responses. The table presents the estimated overall cooperation rate as well as the cooperation rate by the different types of respondents. The true cooperation rates are likely higher than shown because of the percentage of people who were mailed questionnaires about judges who they had not observed. This is due, in part, to many cases being disposed of without the parties having appeared in court, as well as in the case of law enforcement, the data includes all those who were subpoenaed for a case, not just those who appeared. A table of the response counts by respondent type for Judge Celeste is shown below, and on the next page is a table of the overall cooperation rates for both the attorney and non- attorney regarding trial judges surveys for all county judges. 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 22 ## Page 26 Judge Mary Celeste Judge Response Counts by Type of Respondent Total No Undeliverable/ Other Non- Coop Role Type Sent Response Not Applicable Responses Completes Rate Attorneys Criminal District Attorneys 57 39 1 0 17 30.4% Defense Attorneys 161 102 3 0 56 35.4% Other Attorneys Criminal 9 3 2 0 4 57.1% Total Attorneys 227 144 6 0 77 34.8% Non-attorneys Criminal Victim 73 52 19 1 1 1.9% Witness 7 4 1 1 1 16.7% Other 36 26 9 0 1 3.7% Law Enforcement 249 191 23 2 33 14.6% Defendant 362 166 183 4 9 5.0% Civil Litigant 8 6 1 0 1 14.3% Jurors 142 65 15 1 61 48.0% Employees 1 0 1 0 0 0.0% Total Non-attorneys 878 510 252 9 107 17.1% Grand Total: 1105 654 258 9 184 21.7% 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 23 ## Page 27 Total Response Counts by Type of Respondent for All County Judges Total No Undeliverable/ Other Non- Cooperation Sent Response Not Applicable responses Completes Rate Attorney Evaluations Criminal District Attorneys 1275 876 39 2 358 29.0% Defense Attorneys 5161 3380 119 9 1653 32.8% Other Attorneys Crmnl 24 10 6 0 8 44.4% Civil Attorneys for Litigants 1440 812 73 2 553 40.5% Other Attorneys Civil 660 431 36 1 192 30.8% Attorneys, Unknown Role 26 9 6 0 11 55.0% Total Attorneys 8586 5518 279 14 2775 33.4% Non-attorneys Criminal Law Enforcement 4952 2734 1069 81 1068 28.1% Defendant 26197 14235 9044 287 2631 15.6% Victim 238 163 68 4 3 1.8% Witness 2737 1497 815 111 314 17.3% Other 1604 976 436 17 175 15.2% Civil Litigant 7606 4092 1996 111 1407 25.6% Witness 413 247 78 7 81 24.7% Other 104 74 17 0 13 14.9% Total Non-attorneys 43851 24018 13523 618 5692 18.8% Others Appellate Judges 29 2 0 0 27 93.1% Jurors 10350 4609 590 201 4950 51.8% Employees 277 119 36 29 93 43.9% Total Other 10627 4728 626 230 5043 50.4% Total 63064 34264 14428 862 13510 27.8% 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 24 ## Page 28 Projectability Most surveys seen by the public are surveys that are intended to be projectable, that is the results from the sample of people surveyed can be used to estimate a percentage or value of the population sampled with a known probability of error. For example, a pre- election poll of 500 likely Colorado voters is used to estimate the percentage of voters who will vote for Candidate A versus Candidate B on election day, plus or minus some number of percentage points. The plus or minus amount is usually what is known as the 95%-confidence interval (the known probability of error), or what the media often refers to as the margin-of-error. None of the two surveys that make up this report, Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges, and the Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges, are projectable with a known probability of error because the results are calculated from a self-selecting sample that is self-selecting based on the content and subject matter of the survey. In other words, the potential respondent knows the purpose and content of the survey, and based on that, decides whether to respond to the survey. While projectability within a known probability of error is a highly desirable attribute of a survey, it is often not feasible to achieve. Commercial market research often uses nonprojectable (and small) samples-the most well known of which are for focus groups. Moreover, the federal courts have long accepted, and do not expect, projectable samples for market confusion surveys used in trademark litigation. In other words, one can still use the results of the Judicial Performance Evaluation Survey to estimate how everyone who has observed a justice or judge in the courtroom would grade him or her, just not with a known probability of error. The Judicial Performance Evaluation Survey is a valuable means, perhaps the only practical means, for the Judicial Performance Commissions to have a summary of structured interviews with a number of people who have courtroom familiarity with the judge being evaluated, and who most often - albeit not always - are responding out of a desire to improve the performance of our state's judicial system. 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 25 ## Page 29 Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges All County Judges Average Sample Size = 2775 A B C D Fail DK/NA Grade 1. Case Management: 1a.Promptly issuing a decision on the case after trial. 49% 18% 6% 2% 1% 25% 3.49 1b.Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 61% 24% 9% 3% 2% 2% 3.43 1c.Promptly ruling on pre-trial motions. 45% 21% 8% 3% 1% 22% 3.37 1d.Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 56% 24% 9% 4% 2% 6% 3.37 Overall Case Management 3.42 2. Application and Knowledge of Law: 2a.Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 53% 25% 11% 5% 2% 4% 3.26 2b.Basing decisions on evidence and arguments. 46% 23% 12% 6% 4% 9% 3.13 2c.Willing to reconsider error in fact or law. 38% 19% 10% 6% 4% 23% 3.04 2d.Issuing consistent sentences when the circumstances are 44% 23% 9% 4% 3% 17% 3.24 similar. Overall Application and Knowledge of Law 3.17 3. Communications: 3a.Making sure all participants understand the proceedings. 66% 21% 7% 2% 1% 2% 3.52 3b.Providing written communications that are clear, thorough 39% 18% 8% 4% 2% 28% 3.24 and well reasoned. Overall Communications 3.38 4. Demeanor: 4a. Giving proceedings a sense of dignity. 64% 21% 8% 3% 3% 1% 3.42 4b. Treating parties with respect. 65% 18% 8% 5% 3% 1% 3.38 4c. Conducting his/her courtroom in a neutral manner. 58% 20% 10% 7% 4% 1% 3.23 4d. Consistently applying laws and rules. 54% 22% 10% 5% 3% 6% 3.24 Overall Demeanor 3.32 5. Diligence: 5a.Using good judgment in application of relevant law and 51% 24% 11% 6% 4% 4% 3.18 rules. 5b.Doing the necessary homework and being prepared for 50% 23% 10% 4% 3% 10% 3.26 his/her cases. 5c.Being willing to handle cases on the docket even when 51% 17% 8% 3% 2% 19% 3.37 they are complicated and time consuming. Overall Diligence 3.27 Overall Average Grade: 3.30 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 26 ## Page 30 Survey of Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average All County Judges Grade Sample Size = 2775 Would you say the judge is: Very biased in favor of the prosecution 10% Somewhat biased in favor of the prosecution 29% Completely neutral 48% Somewhat biased in favor of the defense 6% Very biased in favor of the defense 2% Don't know or not sure 5% 8. How strongly do you recommend that the Judge be retained in office, or not be retained in office? [Percentages excluding undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain 71% Somewhat recommend retain 16% Somewhat recommend not retain 6% Strongly recommend not retain 7% Total Retain 87% Total Not Retain 13% [Percentages including undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain 67% Somewhat recommend retain 15% Undecided or Don't Know 5% Somewhat recommend not retain 6% Strongly recommend not retain 7% Total Retain 82% Undecided/Don't Know 5% Total Not Retain 13% 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 27 ## Page 31 Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges All County Judges Average Sample Size = 10735 A B C D Fail DK/NA Grade 1. Demeanor: 1a.Giving court proceedings a sense of dignity. 70% 19% 6% 2% 2% 1% 3.54 1b.Treating participants in the case politely and with respect. 74% 15% 5% 3% 3% 1% 3.55 1c.Conducting court in a neutral manner. 71% 16% 5% 3% 4% 1% 3.50 1d.Having a sense of compassion and human understanding 66% 18% 6% 3% 4% 2% 3.42 for those who appear before the court. Overall Demeanor 3.50 2. Fairness: 2a.Giving participants an opportunity to be heard. 73% 16% 5% 3% 3% 2% 3.55 2b.Treating those involved in the case without bias. 70% 15% 5% 3% 5% 3% 3.46 2c.Treating fairly people who represent themselves. 51% 11% 4% 2% 4% 28% 3.46 2d.Giving each side enough time to present his or her case. 70% 15% 5% 2% 3% 5% 3.55 Overall Fairness 3.51 3. Communications: 3a.Making sure participants understand the proceedings, and 74% 15% 5% 2% 2% 1% 3.60 what is going on in the courtroom. 3b.Using language that everyone can understand. 74% 17% 5% 1% 1% 1% 3.63 3c.Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom can hear 77% 15% 4% 1% 1% 1% 3.66 what is being said. Overall Communications 3.63 4. Diligence: 4a.Beginning court on time 61% 22% 8% 3% 3% 3% 3.39 4b.Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 75% 15% 5% 1% 1% 2% 3.64 4c.Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 61% 17% 5% 2% 2% 13% 3.52 4d.Being prepared for cases. 68% 16% 5% 2% 2% 7% 3.56 4e.Managing court proceedings so that there is little wasted 64% 21% 7% 3% 3% 3% 3.45 time. Overall Diligence 3.51 5. Application of Law: 5a.Giving reasons for rulings. 63% 17% 6% 3% 3% 8% 3.44 5b.Willing to make decisions without regard to possible 58% 13% 4% 2% 4% 18% 3.47 outside pressure. 5c.Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 65% 15% 5% 3% 4% 8% 3.45 Overall Application of Law 3.45 Overall Average Grade: 3.52 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 28 ## Page 32 Survey of Non-Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Average All County Judges Grade Sample Size = 10735 6. How biased do you think the Judge is toward the defense or prosecution? [Please see the questionnaire at the end of report for question wording.] Biased in favor of the prosecution total 14% Competely neutral 78% Biased in favor of the defense total 8% Average 0.14 7. How lenient or harsh do you think the sentences generally handed down by Judge are? [Please see the questionnaire at the end of report for question wording.] Harsh sentencing total 13% Competely neutral 74% Lenient sentencing total 12% Average 0.11 10. How strongly do you recommend that the Judge be retained or not retained in office? [Percentages excluding undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain 82% Somewhat recommend retain 9% Somewhat recommend not retain 3% Strongly recommend not retain 6% Total Retain 91% Total Not Retain 9% [Percentages including undecided responses.] Strongly recommend retain 75% Somewhat recommend retain 8% Undecided or Don't Know 9% Somewhat recommend not retain 3% Strongly recommend not retain 6% Total Retain 83% Undecided/Don't Know 9% Total Not Retain 9% 2010 Judicial Performance Survey Report 29 ## Page 33 QQuueessttiioonnnnaaiirreess ## Page 34 Colorado Judicial Performance Attorneys Regarding Trial Judges Survey Questions _ Which of the following types of cases have you observed Judge (Last Name)’s performance? Please circle all that apply. (Only respondents who indicate they have observed the judge in “criminal other than traffic” cases will be asked question 2c and question 6.) Civil . 1 Criminal other than traffic . 2 Traffic . 3 Domestic . 4 Juvenile . 5 Probate . 6 Other . 9 1. Case Management: a. Promptly issuing a decision on the case after trial. A B C D F DK/NS b. Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. A B C D F DK/NS c. Promptly ruling on pre-trial motions. A B C D F DK/NS d. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. A B C D F DK/NS 2. Application and Knowledge of Law: a. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. A B C D F DK/NS b. Basing decisions on evidence and arguments. A B C D F DK/NS c. Willing to reconsider error in fact or law. A B C D F DK/NS d. [Criminal only] Issuing consistent sentences when the circumstances are similar. A B C D F DK/NS 3. Communications: a. Makings sure all participants understand the proceedings. A B C D F DK/NS b. Providing written communications that are clear, thorough and well reasoned. A B C D F DK/NS 4. Demeanor: a. Giving proceedings a sense of dignity. A B C D F DK/NS b. Treating participants with respect. A B C D F DK/NS c. Conducting his/her courtroom in a neutral manner. A B C D F DK/NS d. Consistently applying laws and rules. A B C D F DK/NS 5. Diligence: a. Using good judgment in application of relevant law and rules. A B C D F DK/NS b. Doing the necessary “homework” and being prepared for his/her cases. A B C D F DK/NS c. Being willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time consuming. A B C D F DK/NS 1 ## Page 35 Having observed Judge (Last Name) in a criminal case, would you say the judge is: (This question is asked only if respondent indicated at the beginning of the survey he/she observed the judge in a criminal case.) Very biased in favor of the prosecution . 1 Somewhat biased in favor of the prosecution . 2 Completely Neutral . 3 Somewhat biased in favor of the defense . 4 Very biased in favor of the defense . 5 Don’t Know/Not Sure . 9 6. What would you say are Judge (Last Name)’s strengths? _ _ _ 7. What would you say are Judge (Last Name)’s weaknesses? _ _ _ 8. Keeping in mind your responses to each of the previous questions, how strongly do you recommend that Judge (Last Name) be retained in office, or not retained in office? Strongly recommend he be retained in office . 5 Somewhat recommend he be retained in office . 4 Undecided or don’t know enough to make recommendation . 3 Somewhat recommend he not be retained in office . 2 Strongly recommend he not be retained in office . 1 2 ## Page 36 9. And what would you say are Judge [Last Name]’s weaknesses? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Commission on Judicial Performance ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Evaluation of 10. Keeping in mind your responses to each of the previous questions, how JUDGE [FULL NAME] strongly do you recommend that Judge [Last Name] be retained in office, or not retained in office? Strongly recommend he/she be retained in office ................................ 5 Somewhat recommend he/she be retained in office ............................ 4 Undecided or don’t know enough to make recommendation ............. 3 If we have made a mistake and you either were not in Judge [Last Somewhat recommend he/she not be retained in office ..................... 2 Name]’s courtroom in the past 18 months, or you feel that you do not Strongly recommend he/she not be retained in office ......................... 1 have sufficient experience with Judge [Last Name] to have an opinion the judge’s judicial performance, please just return this questionnaire, unanswered, in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, to stop any further requests to evaluate Judge [Last Name]. Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Please place it in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided and place it in the mail. Your participation in this survey is very much appreciated. Using a grade scale, where an “A” is excellent along with B, C, D or F for fail, please grade the judge on the following. (If you feel that you don’t have experience with the judge in a specific area, or just don’t know, please circle the number corresponding to “Don’t Know/Not Applicable”—DK/NA). DK 1. Demeanor: A B C D F N/A a. Giving court proceedings a sense of dignity. 4 3 2 1 0 9 b. Treating participants in the case politely and with respect. 4 3 2 1 0 9 c. Conducting his/her courtroom in a neutral manner. 4 3 2 1 0 9 d. Having a sense of compassion and human understanding for those who appear before him/her. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ## Page 37 DK 6. [If you were in [Last Name]’s courtroom during a criminal case or 2. Fairness: A B C D F N/A cases please answer this question, otherwise skip to the next a. Giving participants an opportunity to be heard. 4 3 2 1 0 9 question.] On the scale below, please indicate by circling the appropriate b. Treating those involved in the case without bias. 4 3 2 1 0 9 number how biased you think Judge [Last Name] is toward the defense or c. Treating fairly people who represent themselves. 4 3 2 1 0 9 the prosecution. If you feel Judge [Last Name] is completely unbiased, circle “0.” d. Giving each side enough time to present his or her case. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Bias toward Completely Bias toward Defense Neutral Prosecution DK 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 3. Communications: A B C D F N/A a. Makings sure participants understand the 7. [If you were in [Last Name]’s courtroom during a criminal case or proceedings, and what’s going on in the cases please answer this question, otherwise skip to the next courtroom. 4 3 2 1 0 9 question.] On the scale below, please indicate by circling the appropriate b. Using language that everyone can understand. 4 3 2 1 0 9 number how lenient or how harsh you think the sentences generally handed c. Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom down by [Last Name] are. If you feel Judge [Last Name] generally hands can hear what’s being said. 4 3 2 1 0 9 down appropriate sentences, circle “0.” DK Sentences Appropriate Sentences 4. Diligence: A B C D F N/A Too Light Sentences Too Harsh a. Beginning court on time. 4 3 2 1 0 9 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 b. Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 c. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 d. Being prepared for his/her cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Though your name will never be associated with your answers, because the judge will e. Managing court proceedings so that there is see a typed transcript of the comments that you and others write, it is important that little wasted time. 4 3 2 1 0 9 you do not include information in the comments below that would unintentionally identify you as the author. 8. What would you say are Judge [Last Name]’s strengths? DK ___________________________________________________________ 5. Application of Law: A B C D F N/A ___________________________________________________________ a. Giving reasons for rulings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ___________________________________________________________ b. Willing to make decision without regard to ___________________________________________________________ possible outside pressure. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ___________________________________________________________ c. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ___________________________________________________________ Continued on Back Page
• 2006 cycle
  • 2006 Retention Survey Report(PDF on OJPE)
    Read full retention survey textexpandcollapse

    ## Page 1 State of Colorado Logo COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE TThhee HHoonnoorraabbllee MMaarryy AA.. CCeelleessttee 2006 Judicial Performance Survey 2nd Judicial District ## Page 2 April 26, 2006 The Honorable Mary A. Celeste City & County Bldg. 1437 Bannock St., Room 108 Denver, CO 80202 Dear Judge Celeste: Every two years the Colorado Judicial Performance Commission conducts a survey of people who have been in the courtroom of judges who face a retention vote in the next general election. The 2006 survey was conducted by Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy, Inc., who attempted to contact over 75,000 people who had been in these courtrooms in one capacity or another. Over 21,000 people responded—4,600 to the attorney survey and 17,000 to the non-attorney survey. This report contains the results of those who were in your courtroom and who responded to the survey. In addition to this introduction, the report is divided into four main sections: · Attorney Results & Comments: This section contains graphs displaying the average grade you received overall (the combined average from questions 1a through 5e), each section and each question. Following the graphs, are a series of tables showing the percentage distribution of responses to each question. Attorney respondents were also asked to comment about your performance. These comments have been transcribed, and in some instances redacted to eliminate respondent identifying information. A copy of the attorney questionnaire is at the back of this report. · Non-attorney Results & Comments: Similar to the Attorney section, this portion of the report contains graphs (again including the overall average of questions 1a through 5c on the non-attorney questionnaire), the percentage distribution of responses by non-attorneys to each substantive question in the survey. The non-attorney respondents were also asked to comment about your performance. Again, these comments have been transcribed, and in some instances redacted to eliminate respondent identifying information. A copy of the non-attorney questionnaire is also at the back of this report. · Methodology: The third section of the report discusses the methodology of the survey. · Questionnaires: And the final section provides copies of the questionnaires that were used. 100 Arap ahoe, Suite One, Boulder, CO 80302 Phone 303.443.5300 Fax 303.447.9386 ## Page 3 April, 26 2006 The Honorable Mary A. Celeste Page 2 If you have any questions about the methodology and how the survey was conducted, please feel free to contact me at 303-443-5300, and for any other questions you might have about the survey please call the Director of the Colorado Judicial Performance Program, Jane Howell, at 303-837-3665. Best regards, Paul A. Talmey President enc: ## Page 4 AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy ## Page 5 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey Average Grades: Overall and by Section 3.2 Overall Average 3.4 3.4 3.3 Q1. Overall Case 3.4 Management 3.4 3.1 Q2. Overall App & 3.3 Knowldge of Law 3.3 3.6 Q3. Overall 3.6 Communications 3.6 3.1 Q4. Overall Demeanor 3.4 3.5 3.0 Q5. Overall Diligence 3.3 3.4 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade Mary A. Celeste County Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 1 ## Page 6 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey Average Grades: Case Management 3.3 Q1. Overall Case Management 3.4 3.4 3.5 1a. Promptly making rulings 3.6 during trial 3.6 3.3 1b. Beginning court on time 3.3 3.4 3.2 1c. Allotting appropriate 3.3 amount of time for cases 3.3 3.3 1d. Keeping cases moving 3.4 according to schedule 3.3 3.3 1e. [Civil only] Assisting 3.3 parties to reach agreement 3.2 3.3 1f. Maintaining appropriate 3.5 control over proceedings 3.5 3.5 1g. Promptly ruling on pre-trial 3.4 motions 3.3 3.5 1h. Promptly issuing a 3.5 decision on the case after trial 3.5 3.1 1i. Setting reasonable 3.4 schedules for cases 3.3 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade Mary A. Celeste County Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 2 ## Page 7 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey Average Grades: Application and Knowledge of Law 3.1 Q2. Overall App & Knowldge of 3.3 Law 3.3 2.8 2a. Basing decisions on 3.2 evidence and arguments 3.3 3.1 2b. Giving reasons for rulings 3.3 3.4 3.6 2c. [Civil only] Issuing written 3.1 findings of fact and law 3.2 2.6 2d. Willing to reconsider error 3.0 in fact or law 3.0 2.9 2e. Having knowledge of 3.3 relevant substantive law 3.3 2.9 2f. Having knowledge of rules 3.4 of procedure and evidence 3.4 3.0 2g. Being able to identify and 3.4 analyze relevant facts 3.4 2h. [Criminal only] Issuing 3.0 consistent sentences when 3.3 the circumstances are similar 3.3 2i. Willing to make decision 3.4 without regard to possible 3.3 criticism 3.4 3.4 2j. Making decisions without 3.4 fear of being appealed 3.4 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary A. Celeste Average Grade County Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 3 ## Page 8 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey Average Grades: Communications 3.6 Q3. Overall Communications 3.6 3.6 3.6 3a. Speaking clearly 3.6 3.6 3.6 3b. Making sure all participants understand the 3.6 proceedings 3.6 3.6 3c. Using understandable 3.7 language 3.7 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary A. Celeste County Judges Average Grade All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 4 ## Page 9 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey Average Grades: Demeanor 3.1 Q4. Overall Demeanor 3.4 3.5 3.3 4a. Giving proceedings a 3.5 sense of dignity 3.6 3.1 4b. Treating everyone 3.4 involved politely 3.5 2.8 4c. Having empathy with the 3.3 parties involved 3.3 3.1 4d. Treating participants with 3.4 respect 3.5 2.8 4e. Presenting a neutral 3.3 presence on the bench 3.4 3.2 4f. Being consistent in 3.4 [his/her] behavior 3.5 4g. Conducting [his/her] 2.9 courtroom in a neutral 3.3 manner 3.4 3.1 4h. Giving all participants an 3.5 opportunity to be heard 3.5 2.9 4i. Consistently applying laws 3.4 and rules 3.4 3.3 4j. Not engaging in ex parte 3.6 communications 3.6 3.0 4k. Treating pro se parties 3.5 fairly 3.6 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary A. Celeste County Judges Average Grade All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 5 ## Page 10 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey Average Grades: Diligence 3.0 Q5. Overall Diligence 3.3 3.4 3.1 5a. Making tough decisions 3.3 when necessary 3.4 2.6 5b. Using good judgment in application of relevant law and 3.2 rules 3.3 2.9 5c. Doing the necessary 'homework' and being 3.3 prepared for [his/her] cases 3.4 3.4 5d. Being willing to handle cases on the docket even 3.4 when they are complicated and time consuming 3.5 3.4 5e. Providing prompt access to the court in emergency 3.5 matters 3.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary A. Celeste County Judges Average Grade All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 6 ## Page 11 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey Q6. Average: How biased do you think Judge Celeste is toward the defense or prosecution? Mary A. Celeste 1.5 County Judges 0.9 All Trial Judges 0.8 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 ç Defense Prosecution è Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 7 ## Page 12 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey Q7. Average: How lenient or how harsh are Judge Celeste's sentences? Mary A. Celeste 1 County Judges 0.5 All Trial Judges 0.5 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 ç Lenient Harsh è Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 8 ## Page 13 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey Retention Recommendation 90% 80% 77% 76% 74% 73% 70% 61% 60% 58% 50% 40% 30% 26% 24% 20% 14%14% 13%13% 10% 6% 6% 6% 6% 6% 5%5% 5% 5%5% 5% 4% 4%4% 4% 0% Str o n gl y n ot r et ai n m e w h at n ot r et ai n U n d e ci d e d S o m e w h at r et ai n Str o n gl y r et ai n Str o n gl y n ot r et ai n m e w h at n ot r et ai n S o m e w h at r et ai n Str o n gl y r et ai n o o S S Judge Celeste Including Undecided C o u n t y J u d g e s Excluding Undecided All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 9 ## Page 14 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Promptly making rulings during trial?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 42% 54% 56% B 18% 21% 21% C 6% 5% 5% D 1% 1% Fail 1% 1% No Grade 33% 19% 17% Average 3.5 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 1 ## Page 15 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Beginning court on time?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 53% 53% 56% B 26% 29% 28% C 15% 11% 9% D 3% 3% 3% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 3% 2% 2% Average 3.3 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade B B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 2 ## Page 16 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Allotting appropriate amount of time for cases?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 55% 52% 51% B 24% 30% 29% C 9% 10% 11% D 3% 3% 3% Fail 6% 2% 2% No Grade 3% 4% 4% Average 3.2 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 3 ## Page 17 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Keeping cases moving according to schedule?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 53% 54% 53% B 24% 31% 31% C 18% 9% 9% D 3% 2% 3% Fail 1% 2% No Grade 3% 3% 3% Average 3.3 3.4 3.3 Letter Grade B B+ B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 4 ## Page 18 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1e. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "[Civil only] Assisting parties to reach agreement?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 28% 28% 27% B 17% 18% C 8% 5% 7% D 4% 2% 2% Fail 1% 1% No Grade 60% 47% 43% Average 3.3 3.3 3.2 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 5 ## Page 19 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1f. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 59% 61% 63% B 21% 26% 25% C 12% 8% 7% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 3% 1% 1% No Grade 3% 2% 2% Average 3.3 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 6 ## Page 20 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1g. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Promptly ruling on pre-trial motions?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 44% 43% 44% B 21% 25% 25% C 9% 7% 8% D 1% 2% Fail 1% 1% No Grade 26% 24% 19% Average 3.5 3.4 3.3 Letter Grade B+ B+ B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 7 ## Page 21 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1h. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Promptly issuing a decision on the case after trial?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 44% 48% 48% B 12% 21% 21% C 3% 4% 5% D 6% 1% 2% Fail 1% No Grade 35% 26% 24% Average 3.5 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 8 ## Page 22 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1i. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Setting reasonable schedules for cases?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 38% 52% 50% B 29% 29% 30% C 15% 8% 9% D 3% 2% 3% Fail 3% 1% 1% No Grade 12% 8% 6% Average 3.1 3.4 3.3 Letter Grade B B+ B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 9 ## Page 23 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Basing decisions on evidence and arguments?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 38% 50% 53% B 24% 28% 27% C 15% 9% 9% D 15% 4% 4% Fail 3% 3% 3% No Grade 6% 5% 4% Average 2.8 3.2 3.3 Letter Grade B- B B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 10 ## Page 24 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Giving reasons for rulings?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 47% 54% 57% B 26% 26% 25% C 9% 10% 9% D 15% 4% 4% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 3% 4% 4% Average 3.1 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade B B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 11 ## Page 25 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "[Civil only] Issuing written findings of fact and law?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 26% 20% 28% B 13% 15% C 6% 6% D 4% 2% 2% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 70% 58% 48% Average 3.6 3.1 3.2 Letter Grade B+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 12 ## Page 26 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Willing to reconsider error in fact or law?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 26% 30% 29% B 18% 19% 20% C 3% 9% 9% D 18% 4% 4% Fail 6% 4% 4% No Grade 29% 34% 33% Average 2.6 3.0 3.0 Letter Grade C+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 13 ## Page 27 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2e. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Having knowledge of relevant substantive law?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 36% 50% 52% B 24% 31% 30% C 18% 9% 9% D 9% 4% 4% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 9% 4% 3% Average 2.9 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B- B B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 14 ## Page 28 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2f. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Having knowledge of rules of procedure and evidence?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 45% 55% 58% B 24% 29% 27% C 6% 8% 8% D 18% 3% 3% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 3% 4% 3% Average 2.9 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 15 ## Page 29 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2g. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 45% 53% 57% B 18% 29% 27% C 12% 9% 8% D 12% 3% 3% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 9% 4% 3% Average 3.0 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 16 ## Page 30 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2h. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "[Criminal only] Issuing consistent sentences when the circumstances are similar?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 29% 38% 33% B 26% 23% 20% C 6% 6% 6% D 6% 3% 2% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 29% 29% 37% Average 3.0 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 17 ## Page 31 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2i. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Willing to make decision without regard to possible criticism?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 58% 51% 53% B 18% 22% 22% C 12% 9% 8% D 3% 3% 3% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 9% 12% 12% Average 3.4 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 18 ## Page 32 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2j. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Making decisions without fear of being appealed?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 44% 52% 54% B 21% 23% 22% C 6% 7% 7% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 26% 14% 14% Average 3.4 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 19 ## Page 33 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 3a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Speaking clearly?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 74% 72% 73% B 21% 21% 20% C 3% 5% 4% D 3% 1% 1% Fail 1% 1% No Grade 1% Average 3.6 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 20 ## Page 34 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 3b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Making sure all participants understand the proceedings?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 71% 71% 71% B 18% 20% 20% C 9% 6% 5% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 1% 1% No Grade 1% 1% Average 3.6 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 21 ## Page 35 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 3c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Using understandable language?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 68% 73% 74% B 24% 21% 20% C 3% 5% 4% D 3% 1% 1% Fail No Grade 3% 1% 1% Average 3.6 3.7 3.7 Letter Grade B+ A- A- Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 22 ## Page 36 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Giving proceedings a sense of dignity?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 65% 66% 69% B 18% 22% 20% C 6% 7% 6% D 9% 2% 2% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 1% Average 3.3 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 23 ## Page 37 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Treating everyone involved politely?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 52% 69% 70% B 30% 17% 17% C 6% 6% 6% D 3% 3% Fail 12% 4% 3% No Grade 1% Average 3.1 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 24 ## Page 38 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Having empathy with the parties involved?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 38% 58% 59% B 29% 23% 22% C 18% 8% 9% D 6% 5% 5% Fail 9% 4% 3% No Grade 2% 3% Average 2.8 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B- B B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 25 ## Page 39 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Treating participants with respect?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 53% 66% 69% B 29% 20% 18% C 6% 6% 6% D 3% 3% 3% Fail 9% 3% 3% No Grade 1% 1% Average 3.1 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 26 ## Page 40 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4e. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Presenting a neutral presence on the bench?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 41% 62% 63% B 24% 20% 19% C 18% 9% 8% D 3% 5% 5% Fail 12% 4% 4% No Grade 3% 1% 1% Average 2.8 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade B- B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 27 ## Page 41 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4f. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Being consistent in [his/her] behavior?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 44% 63% 64% B 38% 22% 21% C 9% 8% 7% D 3% 3% Fail 6% 2% 2% No Grade 3% 2% 2% Average 3.2 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 28 ## Page 42 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4g. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Conducting [his/her] courtroom in a neutral manner?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 44% 62% 63% B 24% 20% 19% C 15% 8% 8% D 6% 4% 4% Fail 9% 4% 3% No Grade 3% 1% 1% Average 2.9 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade B- B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 29 ## Page 43 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4h. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Giving all participants an opportunity to be heard?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 56% 68% 69% B 18% 20% 19% C 12% 7% 6% D 6% 2% 2% Fail 9% 2% 2% No Grade 1% 1% Average 3.1 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 30 ## Page 44 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4i. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Consistently applying laws and rules?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 47% 58% 59% B 24% 24% 23% C 9% 8% 8% D 3% 3% 4% Fail 15% 2% 2% No Grade 3% 4% 4% Average 2.9 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 31 ## Page 45 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4j. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Not engaging in ex parte communications?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 44% 60% 63% B 6% 16% 15% C 4% 3% D 1% 1% Fail 9% 2% 1% No Grade 41% 16% 16% Average 3.3 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 32 ## Page 46 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4k. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Treating pro se parties fairly?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 35% 56% 52% B 12% 15% 13% C 9% 4% 4% D 2% 2% Fail 9% 2% 1% No Grade 35% 21% 28% Average 3.0 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 33 ## Page 47 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 5a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Making tough decisions when necessary?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 38% 48% 52% B 21% 25% 23% C 18% 9% 8% D 3% 3% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 21% 14% 12% Average 3.1 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade B B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 34 ## Page 48 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 5b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Using good judgment in application of relevant law and rules?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 29% 51% 53% B 29% 28% 27% C 9% 9% 9% D 9% 4% 4% Fail 12% 3% 3% No Grade 12% 5% 4% Average 2.6 3.2 3.3 Letter Grade C+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 35 ## Page 49 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 5c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Doing the necessary 'homework' and being prepared for [his/her] cases?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 32% 49% 53% B 15% 28% 26% C 18% 9% 9% D 3% 3% 3% Fail 6% 2% 2% No Grade 26% 9% 7% Average 2.9 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade B- B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 36 ## Page 50 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 5d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Being willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time consuming?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 38% 50% 53% B 21% 22% 21% C 3% 7% 7% D 2% 2% Fail 3% 2% 1% No Grade 35% 17% 15% Average 3.4 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 37 ## Page 51 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 5e. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Providing prompt access to the court in emergency matters?" Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 32% 39% 41% B 12% 16% 16% C 3% 5% 5% D 1% 1% Fail 3% 1% 1% No Grade 50% 38% 36% Average 3.4 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 38 ## Page 52 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 6. How biased do you think Judge Celeste is towards the defense or the prosecution? Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 5 9% 4% 3% 4 3% 5% 5% 3 16% 7% 7% 2 16% 12% 11% 1 19% 19% 18% 34% 47% 47% -1 3% 4% -2 2% 2% -3 3% 1% 2% -4 1% 1% -5 Average 1.5 0.9 0.8 noitucesorP drawoT esnefeD drawoT Ý 0 Neutral ß Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 39 ## Page 53 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 7. How lenient or harsh do you think the sentences handed down by Judge Celeste are? Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 5 3% 2% 2% 4 7% 3% 4% 3 7% 5% 5% 2 7% 8% 9% 1 24% 15% 15% 52% 58% 55% -1 2% 3% -2 2% 3% -3 1% 2% -4 1% 1% -5 1% 1% Average 1.0 0.5 0.5 hsraH thgiL Ý 0 Appropriate ß Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 40 ## Page 54 Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 12. Do you recommend that Judge Celeste be retained in office or not be retained in office? Judge County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 Strongly Recommend 61% 76% 77% Retain in office Somewhat Recommend 26% 14% 14% Retain in office Somewhat Recommend Not 6% 5% 4% Retain in office Strongly Recommend Not Retain in office 6% 5% 5% Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 41 ## Page 55 NNoonn AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy ## Page 56 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey Average Grades: Overall and by Section 3.3 Overall Average 3.4 3.5 3.2 Q1. Overall Demeanor 3.4 3.5 3.2 Q2. Overall Fairness 3.4 3.5 3.5 Q3. Overall 3.6 Communications 3.6 3.3 Q4. Overall Diligence 3.4 3.5 3.2 Q5. Overall Application 3.4 of Law 3.4 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade Mary A. Celeste County Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 1 ## Page 57 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey Average Grades: Demeanor 3.3 Q1. Overall Demeanor 3.4 3.5 3.3 1a. Giving court proceedings a 3.5 sense of dignity 3.5 3.3 1b. Treating participants 3.5 politely and with respect 3.5 3.3 1c. Conducting [his/her] courtroom in a neutral 3.4 manner 3.5 3.2 1d. Having a sense of compassion and human 3.3 understanding for those who appear before the judge 3.4 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary A. Celeste County Judges Average Grade All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 2 ## Page 58 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey Average Grades: Fairness 3.3 Q2. Overall Fairness 3.4 3.5 3.2 2a. Giving participants an 3.5 opportunity to be heard 3.5 3.3 2b. Treating those involved 3.4 with the case without bias 3.5 3.1 2c. Treating fairly people who 3.4 represent themselves 3.4 3.3 2d. Giving each side enough time to present his or her 3.5 case 3.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary A. Celeste Average Grade County Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 3 ## Page 59 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey Average Grades: Communications 3.5 Q3. Overall Communications 3.6 3.6 3.4 3a. Making sure all participants understand the 3.5 proceedings, and what's going on in the courtroom 3.6 3.5 3b. Using language that 3.6 everyone can understand 3.6 3.6 3c. Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom 3.6 can hear what's being said 3.6 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary A. Celeste Average Grade County Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 4 ## Page 60 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey Average Grades: Diligence 3.3 Q4. Overall Diligence 3.4 3.5 3.2 4a. Beginning court on time 3.2 3.3 3.4 4b. Maintaining appropriate 3.6 control over proceedings 3.6 3.3 4c. Setting reasonable 3.4 schedules for cases 3.5 3.3 4d. Being prepared for 3.5 [his/her] cases 3.6 3.2 4e. Managing court proceedings so that there is 3.4 little wasted time 3.4 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary A. Celeste County Judges Average Grade All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 5 ## Page 61 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey Average Grades: Application and Knowledge of Law 3.2 Q5. Overall App of Law 3.4 3.4 3.2 5a. Giving reasons for rulings 3.4 3.4 3.2 5b. Willing to make decision without regard to possible 3.4 outside pressure 3.5 3.2 5c. Being able to identify and 3.4 analyze relevant facts 3.4 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Mary A. Celeste County Judges Average Grade All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 6 ## Page 62 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey Average: How biased do you think Judge Celeste is toward the defense or prosecution? Mary A. Celeste 0.1 County Judges 0.2 All Trial Judges 0.1 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 ç Defense Prosecution è Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 7 ## Page 63 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey Average: How lenient or how harsh are Judge Celeste's sentences? Mary A. Celeste 0.1 County Judges 0.1 All Trial Judges 0.1 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 ç Lenient Harsh è Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 8 ## Page 64 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey Retention Recommendation 90% 82% 79% 80% 77% 75% 72% 69% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 11% 10% 10% 10% 10% 9% 9% 9% 9% 10% 8% 8% 7% 6%6% 6% 3%3%3% 3%3%3% 0% Str o n gl y n ot r et ai n m e w h at n ot r et ai n U n d e ci d e d S o m e w h at r et ai n Str o n gl y r et ai n Str o n gl y n ot r et ai n m e w h at n ot r et ai n S o m e w h at r et ai n Str o n gl y r et ai n o o S Judge Celeste S County Judges Including Undecided Excluding Undecided All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 9 ## Page 65 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 1a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Giving proceedings a sense of dignity?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 56% 65% 69% B 30% 23% 20% C 6% 7% 6% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 5% 2% 2% No Grade 1% 1% Average 3.3 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 1 ## Page 66 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 1b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Treating participants politely and with respect?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 59% 69% 72% B 25% 18% 17% C 7% 6% 5% D 3% 3% 2% Fail 6% 4% 3% No Grade 1% 1% Average 3.3 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 2 ## Page 67 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 1c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Conducting [his/her] courtroom in a neutral manner?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 62% 66% 70% B 21% 19% 17% C 6% 6% 5% D 4% 4% 3% Fail 7% 4% 3% No Grade 1% 1% Average 3.3 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 3 ## Page 68 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 1d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Having a sense of compassion and human understanding for those who appear before the judge?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 52% 62% 66% B 29% 20% 18% C 4% 7% 6% D 5% 4% 3% Fail 7% 5% 5% No Grade 3% 2% 2% Average 3.2 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade B B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 4 ## Page 69 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 2a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Giving participants an opportunity to be heard?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 58% 68% 71% B 22% 17% 16% C 8% 6% 5% D 5% 3% 3% Fail 6% 4% 3% No Grade 1% 2% 2% Average 3.2 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 5 ## Page 70 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 2b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Treating those involved in the case without bias?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 61% 66% 69% B 21% 17% 16% C 5% 6% 5% D 5% 4% 3% Fail 7% 5% 4% No Grade 1% 3% 3% Average 3.3 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 6 ## Page 71 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 2c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Treating fairly people who represent themselves?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 41% 51% 49% B 10% 13% 11% C 7% 5% 4% D 4% 3% 2% Fail 6% 4% 4% No Grade 32% 25% 30% Average 3.1 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 7 ## Page 72 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 2d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Giving each side enough time to present his or her case?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 59% 65% 68% B 21% 17% 16% C 8% 6% 5% D 5% 3% 2% Fail 5% 4% 3% No Grade 3% 6% 5% Average 3.3 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 8 ## Page 73 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 3a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Making sure participants understand the proceedings, and what's going on in the courtroom?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 67% 70% 73% B 17% 18% 16% C 8% 6% 5% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 4% 2% 2% No Grade 1% 1% 1% Average 3.4 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 9 ## Page 74 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 3b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Using language that everyone can understand?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 69% 71% 74% B 19% 19% 18% C 8% 6% 5% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 2% 2% 1% No Grade 1% 1% Average 3.5 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 10 ## Page 75 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 3c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom can hear what's being said?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 75% 73% 75% B 14% 17% 16% C 6% 6% 5% D 3% 2% 1% Fail 3% 2% 1% No Grade 1% 1% Average 3.6 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 11 ## Page 76 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 4a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Beginning court on time?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 47% 52% 55% B 31% 26% 26% C 10% 11% 10% D 6% 4% 3% Fail 3% 3% 3% No Grade 3% 4% 3% Average 3.2 3.2 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 12 ## Page 77 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 4b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 63% 69% 72% B 23% 20% 18% C 6% 6% 5% D 4% 2% 2% Fail 2% 2% 1% No Grade 1% 2% 2% Average 3.4 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 13 ## Page 78 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 4c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Setting reasonable schedules for cases?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 51% 56% 58% B 22% 20% 19% C 7% 7% 6% D 4% 2% 2% Fail 4% 2% 2% No Grade 12% 13% 12% Average 3.3 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 14 ## Page 79 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 4d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Being prepared for [his/her] cases?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 58% 63% 67% B 20% 19% 17% C 5% 6% 5% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 6% 3% 2% No Grade 8% 7% 7% Average 3.3 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 15 ## Page 80 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 4e. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Managing court proceedings so that there is little wasted time?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 54% 59% 61% B 24% 23% 23% C 9% 9% 8% D 5% 3% 3% Fail 4% 3% 3% No Grade 3% 3% 3% Average 3.2 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 16 ## Page 81 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 5a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Giving reasons for rulings?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 53% 59% 62% B 20% 19% 18% C 6% 7% 6% D 7% 3% 3% Fail 5% 4% 4% No Grade 9% 7% 7% Average 3.2 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 17 ## Page 82 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 5b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Willing to make decision without regard to possible outside pressure?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 49% 55% 58% B 15% 16% 14% C 6% 5% 5% D 3% 3% 2% Fail 6% 4% 3% No Grade 21% 17% 17% Average 3.2 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 18 ## Page 83 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 5c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on "Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts?" Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 A 53% 60% 64% B 22% 18% 16% C 4% 6% 5% D 6% 3% 3% Fail 5% 5% 4% No Grade 10% 8% 8% Average 3.2 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 19 ## Page 84 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 6. How biased do you think Judge Celeste is towards the defense or the prosecution? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 5 4% 3% 2% 4 1% 2% 1% 3 5% 3% 2% 2 4% 3% 3% 1 2% 6% 5% 69% 75% 78% -1 7% 3% 3% -2 2% 2% 2% -3 2% 1% 1% -4 1% 1% 1% -5 4% 2% 2% Average 0.1 0.2 0.1 noitucesorP drawoT esnefeD drawoT Ý 0 Neutral ß Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 20 ## Page 85 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 7. How lenient or harsh do you think the sentences handed down by Judge Celeste are? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 5 6% 4% 3% 4 3% 2% 2% 3 1% 2% 2% 2 1% 3% 3% 1 6% 4% 4% 70% 69% 71% -1 7% 5% 5% -2 2% 4% 4% -3 1% 2% 2% -4 1% 1% -5 5% 2% 2% Average 0.1 0.1 0.1 hsraH thgiL Ý 0 Appropriate ß Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 21 ## Page 86 Mary A. Celeste Non Attorney Survey 12. Do you recommend that Judge Celeste be retained in office or not be retained in office? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2006 Judges 2006 Strongly Recommend 77% 79% 82% Retain in office Somewhat Recommend 11% 10% 9% Retain in office Somewhat Recommend Not 3% 3% 3% Retain in office Strongly Recommend Not Retain in office 10% 7% 6% Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 22 ## Page 87 MMeetthhooddoollooggyy ## Page 88 MMeetthhooddoollooggyy Sample: The Colorado Judicial Department provided Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy, Inc. with all the names and addresses of people from its ICON data base who in the previous 12 months had likely been in each judge’s courtroom who was up for retention in November 2006. These names and addresses where then supplemented from the Colorado District Attorney’s database (Blackstone system) and the databases of jurors, court employees and sheriff’s security. The data was then combined and cleaned. Where there were more than 400 potential respondents, a random sample was drawn. Included in the data cleaning was the identification of potential respondents in the sample who had appeared in more than two judges’ courtrooms. Due to concerns about respondent fatigue, no more than two questionnaires were intended to be sent to any one respondent—though there were a few instances where one respondent did receive more than two questionnaires. Where a person had been in more than two judges’ courtrooms, the selection criteria for which judges he or she would be sent questionnaires was generally: first, for the judge in whose courtroom the potential respondent had been in most often, and two, the judge with the smallest sample of the judges in whose courtroom the potential respondent had been in. Survey: Starting in October 2005, each person in the sample database was mailed an initial questionnaire and an introductory letter with a postage-paid return envelope. Those who did not respond to the first questionnaire were then sent a sent a second questionnaire and letter, and in some cases reminder postcards. During this process, the sample was augmented for judges with a particularly low number of completed questionnaires. Questionnaire: The questionnaire used in the 2006 Judicial Performance Survey asked respondents to use a grade of A, B, C, D, or F (Fail) to assess the judge’s performance in five different areas. For attorney these areas were Case Management, Application and Knowledge of Law, Communications, Demeanor and Diligence, and for non-attorney respondents the five were Demeanor, Fairness, Communications, Diligence and Application of Law. These scores were then converted to a numerical value where A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1 and Fail = 0. Copies of the questionnaires are included at the end of this report. Response: The response rate is calculated as the number of completed questionnaires divided by the number of eligible respondents who actually received a questionnaire. The following table shows the total number of questionnaires mailed, completed, non-responses & refusals, undeliverables and other responses. The table presents the overall response rate as well as the response rate by the different types of respondents. 1 ## Page 89 Refused/ Nonre- Unde- Response Attorney Respondents Total Sent Completed sponse livered Other Rate District Attorney 684 402 223 56 3 64.3% Attorney For Defendant 5,159 2,760 1895 490 14 59.3% Attorney for Plaintiff 1,925 1,023 689 206 7 59.8% Unknown Attorney Type 963 436 418 107 2 51.1% Attorney Total 8,731 4,621 3225 859 26 58.7% Refused/ Nonre- Unde- Response Non-Attny Respondents Total Sent Completed sponse livered Other Rate Law Enforcement 5,659 1,161 3,276 1,195 27 26.2% Employee 1,307 600 489 205 13 55.1% Defendant 31,391 3,658 17,494 10,124 115 17.3% Plaintiff 7,688 1,449 4,699 1,506 34 23.6% Juror 16,267 9,482 5,961 795 29 61.4% Other 4,061 401 2,342 1,281 37 14.6% Parole Officers 599 323 136 125 15 70.4% Non-attorney Total 66,972 17,074 34,397 15,231 270 33.0% Total 75,703 21,695 37,622 16,090 296 36.4% A similar table showing the response count and cooperation rate for your survey is provided at the end of this methodology section. Results: The results of the Survey are in two main sections: Attorney Respondents and Non-attorney Respondents. Within each main section are three subsections: graphs displaying average grades for each section and question, the percentage distribution of grades, and respondent comments. Graphs: The graphs visually display the overall average numerical grades received for all grade questions, each section and each question compared to averages for all district or county judges, and all trial judges for which 2006 surveys were conducted. Questions relating to bias toward the defense or prosecution, sentencing and retention recommendation are also graphed. 2 ## Page 90 Percentage Distribution of Grades: This section shows the percentage of each grade received on each question plus the bias, sentencing and retention questions. An average grade point for each graded question is computed and shown in the results section. A letter grade is also assigned to each grade point according to the following scale. A = 4.00 B = 3.00 to 3.33 C = 2.00 to 2.33 D = 1.00 to 1.33 A— = 3.68 to 3.99 B— = 2.67 to 2.99 C— = 1.67 to 1.99 D— = 0.67 to 0.99 B+ = 3.34 to 3.66 C+ = 2.34 to 2.66 D+ = 1.34 to 1.66 Fail = 0.00 to 0.67 This section also includes two comparative columns of results: one comparative column shows the results for that question for all county or district judges (as appropriate) surveyed in 2006, along with a second comparative column showing the results for all trial judges in the 2006 survey. Comments: Each respondent was encouraged to comment on the judge’s performance. This section contains those comments. Sampling All sample surveys are subject to what is known as sampling error—the Error: extent to which the results of the sample survey may differ from what would be obtained if the entire population being surveyed had been interviewed. The size of the sampling error is almost entirely due to the number of people interviewed for the survey and the variance of responses. The table below shows the extent of sampling error (95%-confidence interval) for various sizes of random samples and sample percentage results. Sample Size 25 50 100 150 200 300 Percentages near 10% or 90% ± 11.8% ± 8.3% ± 5.9% ± 4.8% ± 4.2% ± 3.4% Percentages near 20% or 80% ± 15.7% ± 11.1% ± 7.8% ± 6.4% ± 5.5% ± 4.5% Percentages near 30% or 70% ± 18.0% ± 12.7% ± 9.0% ± 7.3% ± 6.4% ± 5.2% Percentages near 40% or 60% ± 19.2% ± 13.6% ± 9.6% ± 7.8% ± 6.8% ± 5.5% Percentages near 50% ± 19.6% ± 13.9% ± 9.8% ± 8.0% ± 6.9% ± 5.7% For example, suppose a reported percentage is 80% in a sample size of 150, then one could expect that 95% of the time that a random sample of the same size and collected the same way would include the true population percentage within the range of 80% plus or minus 6.4%. Averages such as grade points also have a 95% confidence interval, however it is not so easily displayed in a table as confidence intervals about a percentage. Suffice it to say that the confidence interval about a score generally increases with smaller sample size. 3 ## Page 91 Mary A. Celeste Responses by Type Total Other Non- Coop Role Type Sent Completes Refusals Undeliverable Responses Rate District Attorney 3 2 1 0 0 66.7% Attorney For Defendant 28 5 18 5 0 21.7% Unknown/Other Attorney Type 53 27 24 2 0 52.9% Sub Total: 84 34 43 7 0 44.2% Defendant 297 26 163 107 1 13.8% Plaintiff 127 8 66 52 1 10.8% Law Enforcement 118 18 77 23 0 18.9% Employee 22 7 9 5 1 43.8% Juror 156 84 64 8 0 56.8% Other 225 14 122 89 0 10.3% Sub Total: 945 157 501 284 3 23.8% Grand Total: 1029 191 544 291 3 25.9% Judicial Performance Survey 2006 Page 1 ## Page 92 Commission on Judicial Performance 11. Is there anything else that you would like to say about Judge [Name]? Attorney Questionnaire _ _ Evaluation of _ [Name of Judge] _ _ Using a grade scale, where an “A” is excellent along with B, C, D or F for fail, please grade the judge on the following. (If you feel that you don not have 12. Keeping in mind your responses to each of the previous questions, how experience with the judge in a specific area, or just don’t know, please circle the strongly do you recommend that Judge [Name] be retained in office, or not number corresponding to “Don’t Know/Not Applicable”—DK/NS). retained in office? DK Strongly recommend he be retained in office. 5 1. Case Management: A B C D F N/A Somewhat recommend he be retained in office. 4 a. Promptly making rulings during trial. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Undecided or don’t know enough to make recommendation. 3 Somewhat recommend he not be retained in office. 2 b. Beginning court on time. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Strongly recommend he not be retained in office. 1 c. Allotting appropriate amount of time for cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 d. Keeping cases moving according to schedule. 4 3 2 1 0 9 And why do you think that way about retaining or not retaining Judge e. [Civil only]1 Assisting parties to reach agreement. 4 3 2 1 0 9 [Name]? f. Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ _ g. Promptly ruling on pre-trial motions. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ h. Promptly issuing a decision on the case after trial. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ i. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ _ DK 2. Application and Knowledge of Law: A B C D F N/A a. Basing decisions on evidence and arguments. 4 3 2 1 0 9 b. Giving reasons for rulings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Thank you for your time in completing this questionnaire. c. [Civil only]1 Issuing written findings of fact and law. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Please place it in the self-addressed, postage paid enveloped d. Willing to reconsider error in fact or law. 4 3 2 1 0 9 provided, and place it in the mail. Your participation in this e. Having knowledge of relevant substantive law. 4 3 2 1 0 9 survey is very much appreciated. f. Having knowledge of rules of procedure and evidence. 4 3 2 1 0 9 g. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 4 3 2 1 0 9 h. [Criminal only]2 Issuing consistent sentences when the circumstances are similar. 4 3 2 1 0 9 i. Willing to make decisions without regard to possible criticism. 4 3 2 1 0 9 j. Making decisions without fear of being appealed . 4 3 2 1 0 9 1 Please answer questions 1e & 2c only if you have observed the judge in a civil case. 2 Please answer question 2h only if you have observed the judge in a criminal case. ## Page 93 DK 6. [Criminal cases only] 1 On the scale below, please indicate by circling the 3. Communications: A B C D F N/A appropriate number how biased you think Judge [Name] is toward the a. Speaking clearly. 4 3 2 1 0 9 defense or the prosecution. If you feel Judge [Name] is completely b. Makings sure all participants understand unbiased, circle “0.” the proceedings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Bias toward Completely Bias toward c. Using understandable language. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Defense Neutral Prosecution 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 DK 7. [Criminal cases only]1 On the scale below, please indicate by circling the 4. Demeanor: A B C D F N/A appropriate number how lenient or how harsh you think the sentences a. Giving proceedings a sense of dignity. 4 3 2 1 0 9 generally handed down by Judge [Name] are. If you feel Judge [Name] b. Treating everyone involved politely. 4 3 2 1 0 9 generally hands down appropriate sentences, circle “0.” c. Having empathy with the parties involved. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Sentences Appropriate Sentences d. Treating participants with respect. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Too Light Sentences Too Harsh e. Presenting a neutral presence on the bench. 4 3 2 1 0 9 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 f. Being consistent in [his/her] behavior 4 3 2 1 0 9 g. Conducting [his/her ]courtroom in a neutral 8. If an associate were assigned to Judge [Name] in a case and asked you for manner. 4 3 2 1 0 9 advice, what would you say? h. Giving all participants an opportunity to be heard. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ________________________________________________________ i. Consistently applying laws and rules. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ________________________________________________________ j. Not engaging in ex parte communications 4 3 2 1 0 9 ________________________________________________________ k. Treating pro se parties fairly. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ DK 9. What would you say are Judge [Name]’s strengths? 5. Diligence: A B C D F N/A ___________________________________________________________ a. Making tough decisions when necessary. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ___________________________________________________________ b. Using good judgment in application of relevant ___________________________________________________________ law and rules. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ___________________________________________________________ c. Doing the necessary “homework” and being ___________________________________________________________ prepared for [his/her] cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 d. Being willing to handle cases on the docket even 10. And what would you say are Judge [Name]’s weaknesses? when they are complicated and time consuming. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ___________________________________________________________ e. Providing prompt access to the court ___________________________________________________________ in emergency matters. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ [Continued on Back Page] 1 Please answer questions 6 & 7 only if you have observed the judge in a criminal case. ## Page 94 12. Keeping in mind your responses to each of the previous questions, how Commission on Judicial Performance strongly do you recommend that Judge [Name] be retained in office, or not retained in office? Strongly recommend [he/she] be retained in office................................ 5 Evaluation of Somewhat recommend [he/she] be retained in office............................ 4 [Name of Judge] Undecided or don’t know enough to make recommendation............. 3 Somewhat recommend [he/she] not be retained in office..................... 2 Strongly recommend [he/she] not be retained in office......................... 1 Using a grade scale, where an “A” is excellent along with B, C, D or F for fail, please grade the judge on the following. (If you feel that you don’t have experience with the judge in a specific area, or just don’t know, please circle the And why do you think that way about retaining or not retaining Judge number corresponding to “Don’t Know/Not Applicable”—DK/NA). [Name] ? _____________________________________________________________ DK _____________________________________________________________ 1. Demeanor: A B C D F N/A _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ a. Giving court proceedings a sense of dignity. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _____________________________________________________________ b. Treating participants in the case politely _____________________________________________________________ and with respect. 4 3 2 1 0 9 c. Conducting [his/her] courtroom in a neutral manner. 4 3 2 1 0 9 d. Having a sense of compassion and human Thank you for you time in completing this questionnaire. Please place it in the self-addressed, postage paid enveloped provided, understanding for those who appear and place it in the mail. Your participation in this survey is before [him/her]. 4 3 2 1 0 9 very much appreciated. DK 2. Fairness: A B C D F N/A a. Giving participants an opportunity to be heard. 4 3 2 1 0 9 b. Treating those involved in the case without bias. 4 3 2 1 0 9 c. Treating fairly people who represent themselves. 4 3 2 1 0 9 d. Giving each side enough time to present his or her case. 4 3 2 1 0 9 DK 3. Communications: A B C D F N/A a. Makings sure participants understand the proceedings, and what’s going on in the courtroom. 4 3 2 1 0 9 b. Using language that everyone can understand. 4 3 2 1 0 9 c. Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom can hear what’s being said. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ## Page 95 DK 8. If a friend of yours was scheduled to appear before Judge [Name] as a 4. Diligence: A B C D F N/A party in either a civil or criminal case and asked you for advice, what a. Beginning court on time. 4 3 2 1 0 9 would you tell your friend about Judge [Name] ? b. Maintaining appropriate control over _ proceedings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ c. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ d. Being prepared for [his/her] cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ _ e. Managing court proceedings so that there is _ little wasted time. 4 3 2 1 0 9 9. What would you say are Judge [Name]’s strengths? DK _ 5. Application of Law: A B C D F N/A _ a. Giving reasons for rulings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ _ b. Willing to make decision without regard to _ possible outside pressure. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ c. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 4 3 2 1 0 9 10. And what would you say are Judge [Name]’s weaknesses? _ 6. [If you were in Judge [Name]’s courtroom during a criminal case _ or cases please answer this question, otherwise skip to the next _ question.] On the scale below, please indicate by circling the appropriate _ number how biased you think Judge [Name] is toward the defense or the _ prosecution. If you feel Judge [Name] is completely unbiased, circle “0.” _ Bias toward Completely Bias toward Defense Neutral Prosecution 11. Is there anything else that you would like to say about Judge 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 [Name] ? _ 7. [If you were in Judge [Name]’s courtroom during a criminal case _ or cases please answer this question, otherwise skip to the next _ question.] On the scale below, please indicate by circling the appropriate _ number how lenient or how harsh you think the sentences generally handed _ down by Judge [Name] are. If you feel Judge [Name] generally hands down _ appropriate sentences, circle “0.” Sentences Appropriate Sentences Too Light Sentences Too Harsh Continued on Back Page 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5
• 2002 cycle
  • 2002 Retention Survey Report(PDF on OJPE)
    Read full retention survey textexpandcollapse

    ## Page 1 March 4, 2002 The Honorable Mary A. Celeste City & County Bldg. 1437 Bannock St., Room 108 Denver, CO 80202 Dear Judge Celeste: Every two years the Colorado Judicial Performance Commission conducts a survey of people who have been in the courtroom of judges who face a retention vote in the next general election. The 2002 survey was conducted by Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy, Inc., who attempted to contact over 55,000 people who had been in these courtrooms in one capacity or another. Over 18,000 people responded—3,686 to the attorney survey and 14,925 to the non-attorney survey. This report contains the results of those who were in your courtroom and who responded to the survey. In addition to this introduction, the report is divided into four main sections: • Results: This section contains the average and percentage distribution of responses to each substantive numerical question in the survey. It is divided into two subsections, one for the results of the attorney survey and one for the results of the non-attorney survey. • Comments: Respondents were also asked to comment about each judge on each section of the questionnaire: courtesy, impartiality, communications skills, judicial temperament, diligence, application of the law, retention and general comments. These comments have been transcribed, and in some instances redacted to eliminate respondent identifying information. Again this section has been divided into two subsections, one for attorney comments and one for non-attorney comments. • Methodology: The fourth section of the report discusses the methodology of the survey. • Questionnaires: And the final section provides copies of the questionnaires that were used. 100 Arap ahoe, Suite One, Boulder, CO 80302 Phone 303.443.5300 Fax 303.447.9386 ## Page 2 March 4, 2002 The Honorable Mary A. Celeste Page 2 If you have any questions about the methodology and how the survey was conducted, please feel free to contact me at 303-443-5300, and for any other questions you might have about the survey please call the Director of the Colorado Judicial Performance Program, Michelle Stermer, at 303-837-3665. Best regards, Paul A. Talmey President enc: ## Page 3 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on being courteous toward parties or witnesses? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 20% 64% 65% B 30% 22% 21% C 30% 7% 7% D 20% 3% 3% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 2% 3% Average Grade 2.5 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade C+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 1 ## Page 4 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on being courteous toward attorneys? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 20% 64% 61% B 35% 20% 22% C 15% 7% 8% D 20% 4% 4% Fail 10% 3% 3% No Grade 2% 3% Average Grade 2.4 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade C+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 2 ## Page 5 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 1c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on being courteous toward pro se parties? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 20% 55% 48% B 20% 17% 14% C 35% 8% 6% D 15% 2% 2% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 10% 16% 29% Average Grade 2.5 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade C+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 3 ## Page 6 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on treating parties equally regardless of race? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 40% 67% 63% B 30% 15% 12% C 25% 4% 3% D 1% 1% Fail 1% 1% No Grade 5% 12% 19% Average Grade 3.2 3.7 3.7 Letter Grade B A- A- Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 4 ## Page 7 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on treating parties equally regardless of gender? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 40% 69% 66% B 25% 16% 14% C 20% 5% 5% D 5% 2% 2% Fail 5% 1% 2% No Grade 5% 8% 12% Average Grade 2.9 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 5 ## Page 8 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on treating parties equally regardless of age? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 40% 70% 66% B 25% 14% 13% C 25% 5% 4% D 5% 1% 1% Fail 1% No Grade 5% 10% 15% Average Grade 3.1 3.7 3.7 Letter Grade B A- A- Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 6 ## Page 9 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on treating parties equally regardless of social/economic status? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 40% 66% 65% B 15% 15% 13% C 25% 6% 5% D 15% 3% 2% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 5% 10% 13% Average Grade 2.8 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 7 ## Page 10 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2e. How would you grade Judge Celeste on being fair and impartial toward both sides? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 30% 60% 60% B 20% 18% 17% C 20% 9% 8% D 20% 6% 5% Fail 10% 3% 4% No Grade 4% 5% Average Grade 2.4 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade C+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 8 ## Page 11 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2f. How would you grade Judge Celeste on treating pro se parties fairly? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 25% 58% 51% B 20% 14% 11% C 40% 6% 4% D 5% 2% 1% Fail 2% 1% No Grade 10% 19% 31% Average Grade 2.7 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 9 ## Page 12 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 2g. How would you grade Judge Celeste on not engaging in ex parte communications? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 20% 56% 59% B 20% 15% 12% C 25% 6% 4% D 2% 1% Fail 20% 3% 2% No Grade 15% 18% 21% Average Grade 2.2 3.4 3.6 Letter Grade C B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 10 ## Page 13 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 3a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on providing written communications that are clear, thorough, and well reasoned? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 10% 29% 37% B 10% 22% 23% C 8% 9% D 20% 3% 2% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 60% 37% 27% Average Grade 2.3 3.2 3.2 Letter Grade C B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 11 ## Page 14 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 3b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on communicating verbally in a clear, thorough, and well reasoned manner? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 30% 51% 54% B 30% 30% 28% C 10% 10% 9% D 25% 4% 4% Fail 5% 2% 2% No Grade 3% 3% Average Grade 2.6 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade C+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 12 ## Page 15 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 3c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on explaining court procedures clearly and thoroughly? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 25% 53% 54% B 30% 27% 26% C 30% 10% 9% D 15% 3% 3% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 6% 7% Average Grade 2.7 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade B- B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 13 ## Page 16 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on maintaining a professional demeanor in the courtroom? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 25% 62% 64% B 30% 21% 21% C 10% 7% 7% D 20% 5% 4% Fail 15% 2% 3% No Grade 2% 3% Average Grade 2.3 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade C B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 14 ## Page 17 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 4b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on listening patiently to all testimony and arguments before issuing a ruling? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 30% 57% 57% B 20% 22% 22% C 15% 9% 8% D 25% 5% 5% Fail 10% 3% 4% No Grade 3% 4% Average Grade 2.4 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade C+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 15 ## Page 18 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 5a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on managing cases and docket efficiently and with minimal delay? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 15% 47% 46% B 20% 27% 27% C 40% 11% 11% D 15% 4% 4% Fail 5% 3% 4% No Grade 5% 8% 8% Average Grade 2.3 3.2 3.2 Letter Grade C B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 16 ## Page 19 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 5b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on being punctual in commencing proceedings? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 15% 51% 54% B 25% 27% 28% C 30% 11% 9% D 20% 3% 2% Fail 10% 3% 2% No Grade 4% 4% Average Grade 2.2 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade C B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 17 ## Page 20 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 5c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on using court time efficiently? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 25% 53% 54% B 25% 24% 25% C 30% 11% 10% D 10% 4% 3% Fail 10% 3% 3% No Grade 5% 5% Average Grade 2.5 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade C+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 18 ## Page 21 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 5d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on being prepared for all court matters? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 25% 56% 58% B 25% 25% 23% C 25% 8% 7% D 15% 3% 3% Fail 10% 2% 2% No Grade 7% 7% Average Grade 2.4 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade C+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 19 ## Page 22 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 5e. How would you grade Judge Celeste on being willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 25% 48% 49% B 20% 18% 18% C 15% 7% 7% D 15% 3% 3% Fail 15% 3% 3% No Grade 10% 21% 21% Average Grade 2.3 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade C B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 20 ## Page 23 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 5f. How would you grade Judge Celeste on providing quick access to the court in emergency matters? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 15% 35% 33% B 25% 14% 13% C 20% 5% 5% D 5% 2% 2% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 35% 43% 45% Average Grade 2.8 3.4 3.3 Letter Grade B- B+ B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 21 ## Page 24 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 6a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on having knowledge of the rules of evidence and procedure? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 20% 47% 53% B 15% 28% 25% C 25% 12% 9% D 20% 4% 3% Fail 10% 3% 2% No Grade 10% 7% 7% Average Grade 2.2 3.2 3.3 Letter Grade C B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 22 ## Page 25 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 6b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on ruling on motions in a timely matter? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 25% 48% 49% B 25% 24% 25% C 15% 8% 8% D 3% 3% Fail 10% 2% 3% No Grade 25% 16% 13% Average Grade 2.7 3.4 3.3 Letter Grade B- B+ B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 23 ## Page 26 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 6c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on making the correct decision based upon the law and the facts? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 30% 40% 44% B 20% 30% 29% C 15% 13% 12% D 20% 6% 5% Fail 10% 4% 4% No Grade 5% 6% 6% Average Grade 2.4 3.0 3.1 Letter Grade C+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 24 ## Page 27 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 6d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on making decisions without regard to possible criticism? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 25% 49% 50% B 15% 21% 20% C 20% 9% 8% D 5% 4% 3% Fail 20% 4% 3% No Grade 15% 14% 15% Average Grade 2.2 3.2 3.3 Letter Grade C B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 25 ## Page 28 Judge Mary A. Celeste Attorney Survey 7. Do you recommend that Judge Celeste be retained in office or not be retained in office? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 Retain in office 60% 83% 84% Do not retain in office 25% 11% 11% No opinion 15% 6% 5% Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 26 ## Page 29 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 1a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on being courteous toward everyone in the courtroom? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 41% 65% 67% B 31% 20% 19% C 17% 7% 6% D 4% 2% 2% Fail 3% 3% 2% No Grade 4% 4% 4% Average Grade 3.1 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 1 ## Page 30 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 1b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on being courteous toward persons representing themselves? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 39% 49% 47% B 35% 16% 15% C 15% 6% 5% D 2% 2% Fail 2% 3% 2% No Grade 9% 24% 30% Average Grade 3.2 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 2 ## Page 31 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 2a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on treating parties equally regardless of race? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 47% 63% 65% B 26% 15% 14% C 11% 4% 4% D 1% 1% 1% Fail 2% 2% 2% No Grade 13% 15% 14% Average Grade 3.3 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 3 ## Page 32 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 2b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on treating parties equally regardless of gender? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 47% 65% 67% B 26% 16% 16% C 11% 5% 5% D 2% 2% 2% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 11% 9% 9% Average Grade 3.3 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 4 ## Page 33 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 2c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on treating parties equally regardless of age? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 46% 64% 67% B 30% 16% 16% C 11% 6% 5% D 2% 2% 1% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 8% 10% 10% Average Grade 3.2 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 5 ## Page 34 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 2d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on treating parties equally regardless of social/economic status? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 46% 64% 66% B 27% 16% 15% C 11% 5% 5% D 2% 2% 2% Fail 2% 3% 3% No Grade 12% 10% 9% Average Grade 3.3 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 6 ## Page 35 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 2e. How would you grade Judge Celeste on being fair and impartial toward both sides? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 42% 63% 65% B 26% 16% 16% C 11% 6% 5% D 6% 3% 2% Fail 9% 4% 4% No Grade 6% 8% 7% Average Grade 2.9 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 7 ## Page 36 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 2f. How would you grade Judge Celeste on treating parties without attorneys fairly? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 42% 45% 43% B 30% 13% 12% C 13% 5% 4% D 2% 2% Fail 5% 4% 3% No Grade 10% 31% 37% Average Grade 3.1 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 8 ## Page 37 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 2g. How would you grade Judge Celeste on giving each side enough time to present his or her case? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 41% 60% 63% B 33% 16% 16% C 10% 5% 5% D 2% 2% 2% Fail 4% 3% 3% No Grade 10% 14% 11% Average Grade 3.2 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 9 ## Page 38 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 3a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on speaking in a way that is clearly understood? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 48% 68% 70% B 36% 20% 19% C 9% 6% 6% D 2% 2% 2% Fail 2% 2% 1% No Grade 3% 2% 2% Average Grade 3.3 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 10 ## Page 39 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 3b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on explaining court procedures clearly and thoroughly? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 46% 67% 69% B 35% 19% 18% C 13% 6% 6% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 1% 2% 2% No Grade 4% 4% 4% Average Grade 3.3 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 11 ## Page 40 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 4a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on maintaining a professional demeanor in the courtroom? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 45% 69% 72% B 33% 17% 16% C 14% 6% 5% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 2% 3% 2% No Grade 5% 3% 3% Average Grade 3.2 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 12 ## Page 41 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 4b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on listening patiently to all testimony and arguments before issuing a ruling? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 39% 64% 66% B 37% 18% 17% C 10% 6% 5% D 4% 3% 2% Fail 2% 4% 3% No Grade 8% 6% 6% Average Grade 3.2 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 13 ## Page 42 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 5a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on managing cases efficiently and with minimal delay? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 34% 55% 56% B 28% 23% 22% C 15% 9% 8% D 9% 2% 3% Fail 5% 3% 2% No Grade 9% 9% 9% Average Grade 2.8 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 14 ## Page 43 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 5b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on starting court on time? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 22% 55% 57% B 31% 23% 23% C 22% 9% 9% D 7% 3% 3% Fail 10% 3% 2% No Grade 7% 6% 6% Average Grade 2.5 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade C+ B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 15 ## Page 44 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 5c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on being prepared for cases? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 40% 61% 64% B 29% 19% 18% C 14% 7% 6% D 5% 2% 2% Fail 5% 2% 2% No Grade 7% 9% 9% Average Grade 3.0 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 16 ## Page 45 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 6a. How would you grade Judge Celeste on considering all information presented when making a decision? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 45% 60% 62% B 20% 17% 16% C 14% 6% 5% D 8% 3% 2% Fail 6% 4% 4% No Grade 6% 10% 11% Average Grade 3.0 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 17 ## Page 46 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 6b. How would you grade Judge Celeste on having knowledge of the rules of evidence, procedure and the law? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 48% 64% 67% B 26% 17% 16% C 10% 5% 5% D 4% 2% 2% Fail 6% 2% 2% No Grade 6% 10% 10% Average Grade 3.1 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 18 ## Page 47 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 6c. How would you grade Judge Celeste on deciding important matters in a timely way? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 39% 60% 62% B 31% 19% 18% C 15% 6% 6% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 4% 2% 2% No Grade 8% 11% 10% Average Grade 3.1 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 19 ## Page 48 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 6d. How would you grade Judge Celeste on making decisions without regard to public criticism? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 40% 53% 55% B 22% 15% 14% C 13% 5% 5% D 4% 2% 2% Fail 5% 3% 3% No Grade 15% 21% 22% Average Grade 3.0 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 20 ## Page 49 Judge Mary A. Celeste Non-Attorney Survey 7. Do you recommend that Judge Celeste be retained in office or not be retained in office? Judge All County All Trial Celeste Judges 2002 Judges 2002 Retain in office 69% 81% 83% Do not retain in office 21% 9% 8% No opinion 9% 11% 9% Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2 Page 21 ## Page 50 MMeetthhooddoollooggyy Sample: The Colorado Judicial Department provided Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy, Inc. with a list of cases heard and closed during the two years prior to the summer of 2001 by the 115 justices and judges standing for retention in November 2002. From this list of cases, Talmey-Drake Research drew a sample of the 250 cases most recently closed for each judge or justice. In some instances where there were an insufficient number of cases (or participants in cases), the time period during which cases could be drawn was lengthened. For each case selected a list of people associated with the case who had likely appeared in the judge’s courtroom were drawn from the Judicial Department’s database, ICON, and the Colorado District Attorney’s database (Blackstone system). The cases and the associated case participants were divided up among the 22 judicial districts and put on CD ROM. These CD’s were distributed to the judicial districts, and district personnel added the names of people who were associated with a case, but whose names and addresses had not been captured electronically. The data from the judicial districts were then returned to Talmey-Drake Research where the data was combined and cleaned. Included in the data cleaning was the identification of potential respondents in the sample who had appeared in more than two judges’ courtrooms. Due to concerns about respondent fatigue, no more than two questionnaires were intended to be sent to any one respondent—though there were a few instances where one respondent did receive more than two questionnaires. Where a person had been in more than two judges’ courtrooms, the selection criteria for which judges he or she would be sent questionnaires was: first, for the judge in whose courtroom the potential respondent had been in most often, and two, the judge with the smallest sample of the judges in whose courtroom the potential respondent had been in. Added to this database were a database of jurors and one of court employees. Survey: In November 2002, each person in the database was mailed a postcard saying they would receive a questionnaire concerning judicial performance and that it was important for them to fill it out and return it. Shortly thereafter, they were sent an initial questionnaire and an introductory letter with a postage- paid return envelope. Those who did not respond to the first questionnaire were then sent a sent a second questionnaire and letter. Non-respondents to the second survey were sent a reminder postcard. At this point, non- responders who had been sent questionnaires about judges who had not yet achieved a target cooperation rate of 40% were sent a third letter and questionnaire—and a follow up postcard. During this process, the sample was augmented for judges with a particularly low number of completed questionnaires. 1 ## Page 51 Questionnaire:The questionnaire used in the 2002 Judicial Performance Survey is identical to the questionnaire used for the 2000 survey. Respondents were asked to use a grade of A, B, C, D, or F (Fail) to assess the justice’s or judge’s performance in the areas of Courtesy, Impartiality, Communication, Judicial Temperament, Diligence and Application of the Law. These scores were then converted to a numerical value where A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1 and Fail = 0. Response: The response rate is calculated as the number of completed questionnaires divided by the number of eligible respondents who actually received a questionnaire. The following table shows the total number of questionnaires mailed, completed, non-responses & refusals, undeliverables and other responses. The table presents the overall response rate as well as the response rate by the different types of respondents. Refused/ Nonre- Unde- Response Attorney Respondents Total Sent Completed sponse livered Other Rate District Attorney 852 511 227 42 72 69.2% Attorney For Defendant 3,277 1,921 809 223 324 70.4% Attorney for Plaintiff 1,711 1,001 428 92 190 70.0% Guardian ad Litem 85 47 22 9 7 68.1% Unknown Attorney Type 460 206 112 102 40 64.8% Attorney Total 6,385 3,686 1,598 468 633 69.8% Refused/ Nonre- Unde- Response Non-Attny Respondents Total Sent Completed sponse livered Other Rate Law Enforcement 6,918 2,517 2,648 577 1,176 48.7% Social Services Casewrkr 117 61 36 15 5 62.9% Employee 1,946 1,142 526 105 173 68.5% Defendant 15,701 2,467 7,511 5,109 614 24.7% Plaintiff 3,276 943 1,538 553 242 38.0% Juror 12,910 6,565 4,443 776 1,126 59.6% Victim 3,158 414 1,601 788 355 20.5% Other 4,611 816 2,288 951 556 26.3% Non-attorney Total 48,637 14,925 20,591 8,874 4,247 42.0% Total 55,022 18,611 22,189 9,342 4,880 45.6% A similar table showing the response count and cooperation rate for your survey is provided at the end of this methodology section. 2 ## Page 52 Results: The results of the Survey are in two main sections: Results and Comments. Within each main section are two subsections, one for each general type of respondent, attorney or non-attorney. Results: This section shows the percentage distribution of grades you received on each of the substantive questions plus the retain/do not retain question. An average grade point for each graded question is computed and shown in the results section. A letter grade is also assigned to each grade point according to the following scale. A = 4.00 B = 3.00 to 3.33 C = 2.00 to 2.33 D = 1.00 to 1.33 A— = 3.68 to 3.99 B— = 2.67 to 2.99 C— = 1.67 to 1.99 D— = 0.67 to 0.99 B+ = 3.34 to 3.66 C+ = 2.34 to 2.66 D+ = 1.34 to 1.66 Fail = 0.00 to 0.67 This section also includes two comparative columns of results: one comparative column shows the results for that question for all county or district judges (as appropriate) surveyed in 2002, along with a second comparative column showing the results for all trial judges in the 2002 survey. Comments: Each respondent was encouraged to comment on the judge’s performance in the six areas of Courtesy, Impartiality, Communication, Judicial temperament, Diligence, Application of the law as well as the judge’s Overall performance. This section contains these comments—again divided between results from attorneys and non-attorneys. Sampling All sample surveys are subject to what is known as sampling error—the Error: extent to which the results of the sample survey may differ from what would be obtained if the entire population being surveyed had been interviewed. The size of the sampling error is almost entirely due to the number of people interviewed for the survey and the variance of responses. The table below shows the extent of sampling error (95%-confidence interval) for various sizes of random samples and sample percentage results. Sample Size 25 50 100 150 200 300 Percentages near 10% or 90% ± 11.8% ± 8.3% ± 5.9% ± 4.8% ± 4.2% ± 3.4% Percentages near 20% or 80% ± 15.7% ± 11.1% ± 7.8% ± 6.4% ± 5.5% ± 4.5% Percentages near 30% or 70% ± 18.0% ± 12.7% ± 9.0% ± 7.3% ± 6.4% ± 5.2% Percentages near 40% or 60% ± 19.2% ± 13.6% ± 9.6% ± 7.8% ± 6.8% ± 5.5% Percentages near 50% ± 19.6% ± 13.9% ± 9.8% ± 8.0% ± 6.9% ± 5.7% For example, suppose a reported percentage is 80% in a sample size of 150, then one could expect that 95% of the time that a random sample of the same size and collected the same way would include the true population percentage within the range of 80% plus or minus 6.4%. Averages such as grade points also have a 95% confidence interval, however it is not so easily displayed in a table as confidence intervals about a percentage. Suffice it to say that the confidence interval about a score generally increases with smaller sample size. 3 ## Page 53 Judge Mary A. Celeste Survey Disposition Report Total Refusals & Undeliv- Other Response Sent Completes Nonresponse erables Response Rate District Attorney Attorney For Defendant 43 10 13 2 18 43.5% Attorney for Plaintiff 5 5 100.0% Guardian ad Litem Unknown Attorney Type 37 5 15 13 4 25.0% Sub Total: 85 20 28 15 22 41.7% Law Enforcement 172 77 82 13 48.4% Social Services Caseworker Employee 9 7 1 1 87.5% Defendant 64 7 42 13 2 14.3% Plaintiff Juror 21 7 8 1 5 46.7% Victim Other Sub Total: 266 98 133 15 20 42.4% Total: 351 118 161 30 42 42.3% 1. 'Other Response' predominately includes people who sent back a survey saying they did not appear in the courtroom, and people who are deceased, or otherwise incapable of responding, and people who could not recall the experience. 2. The Response Rate is calculated using the following formula: Completes (Total Sent - Undeliverables - Other Responses) Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 2

Score cards render where the PDF extractor found numeric fields (partial is shown with “—” for missing tiles). “Read full survey text” surfaces the complete report transcription for every survey on file. Source PDFs on OJPE are always linked above for fidelity. Coverage note on Sources.

Sources

• 2010 evaluation on OJPE · scraped Apr 17, 2026
• 2006 evaluation on OJPE · scraped Apr 17, 2026
• 2002 evaluation on OJPE · scraped Apr 17, 2026