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James Madison Franklin

Trial Court · El Paso · El Paso

Meets Standards(Retain)2 cycles on record

Evaluation history

  • 1996 retention cycle
    Trial Court · El Paso · El Paso
    Meets Standards(Retain)
    VotersRetained· 60.1% yes
    81,550 yes · 54,025 no50% needed to retain
    Retention Year: 1996 Recommendation: Retain It is the opinion of the Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance that Judge James M. Franklin should BE RETAINED. Judge James M. Franklin has served on the District Court bench since 1987 where he has handled a general district court case load including criminal and civil cases. Prior to that time he served as a county court judge for El Paso County for approximately 3 years. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley in 1969, Judge Franklin attended law school at the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a juris doctor in 1974. Before being named to the county court bench, Judge Franklin engaged in private practice and worked in the El Paso County District Attorney’s office. Judge Franklin’s most critical evaluations came from attorneys, who vote to retain him by 66.7% with 8.3% expressing no opinion. Many believed that the judge’s docket management is inefficient and delays were insufficiently explained. By and large, Judge Franklin received votes of confidence from the respondents. However, a significant number expressed concern over docket management and timeliness of decision.
  • 1990 retention cycle
    Trial Court · El Paso · El Paso
    Meets Standards(Retain)
    VotersRetained· 63.4% yes
    55,772 yes · 32,246 no50% needed to retain
    Retention Year: 1990 Recommendation: Retain Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained. Judge Franklin has served on the District Court bench since 1987 where he has handled a general District Court caseload including criminal, civil, and domestic cases. Prior to that time he served as a County Court Judge for El Paso County for three years. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley in 1969, Franklin attended law school at the University of Pennsylvania where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1974. Before becoming named to the County Court bench, Franklin engaged in private practice and worked in the El Paso County District Attorney’s office. Of those polled, including attorneys, litigants, jurors, law enforcement personnel, staff person and probation-social service workers, Franklin most supportive groups included staff, litigants and law enforcement. Staff members remarked it is easy to talk with the judge and a pleasure to work with him. Litigants also unanimously voted for his retention. Law enforcement respondents believe Franklin treats defendants fairly. Franklin most critical reviews came from attorneys. A few negative remarks were found on review polls from jurors as well. Many believed the judge’s docket management is inefficient and delays were insufficiently explained to people not normally part of the judicial system. Further, many attorneys cited a lack of experience and knowledge in domestic relations cases. By and large, Franklin received votes of confidence from the respondents. However, a significant number expressed concern over docket management and timeliness of decisions.

Surveys & reports

No survey reports on record for this judge.

Sources