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John R. Lowenbach

Trial Court · Weld · Weld

Meets Standards(Retain)2 cycles on record

Evaluation history

  • 2002 retention cycle
    Trial Court · Weld · Weld
    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 Nineteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge J. Robert Lowenbach BE RETAINED. Judge Lowenbach was appointed to the District Court in November 1993. Prior to his appointment, he was a District Court Magistrate. Judge Lowenbach currently hears 100% criminal cases. His community service involvement includes public education on the judicial branch of government and volunteer work for child abuse victims, the homeless and the growth and development needs of young children. Fifty percent of the 36 attorneys responding to the survey recommended that Judge Lowenbach be retained. The average for all district judges is 85%. Of the 216 non-attorneys surveyed, 77% recommended retention; the average for all district judges is also 85%. The attorneys who responded to the survey ranked Judge Lowenbach lower on each of the 26 questions than the average scores received by all district judges. The two lowest rankings from attorneys were on questions involving listening patiently to all testimony and on providing quick access to the court for emergencies. The non-attorneys ranked him equal to or slightly lower on each of their 21 survey questions. Although there was some concern expressed that he is "too lenient" in sentencing, Judge Lowenbach believes this criticism is unjustified and is based on two cases that received publicity. He does not believe this criticism is reflective of his full sentencing approach. The Commission was impressed by Judge Lowenbach's interview, in which he showed a sincere desire to address the weaknesses that were revealed in the surveys. He also indicated that he has already made changes that will provide more flexibility in his court and will provide quicker access to the courts for emergencies.
  • 1996 retention cycle
    Trial Court · Weld · Weld
    Meets Standards(Retain)
    VotersRetained· 68.9% yes
    29,882 yes · 13,500 no50% needed to retain
    Retention Year: 1996 Recommendation: Retain A large majority of all surveyed groups recommended retention. Therefore, based on the written evaluations and a personal interview by the Commission, the 19th Judicial Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge John R. Lowenbach BE RETAINED. The majority of Judge Lowenbach’s current docket includes domestic relations, dependency and neglect, and other civil cases considered to be part of “Family Court.” Based on a review of written evaluations by court personnel, attorneys, jurors and law enforcement personnel, Judge Lowenbach is considered to be a fair and knowledgeable judge who is willing to devote a lot of time and energy into his position as a district judge in the 19th Judicial District. A small percentage of the attorney evaluations indicated concern that Judge Lowenbach in domestic relations cases favored women and needed some improvement in his handling of financial matters in domestic relations cases. When discussing the issue of bias towards women, Judge Lowenbach responded that he is unaware of any bias, but will be on alert in the future to make sure he is not subconsciously favoring women.

Surveys & reports

  • 2002 cycle
    • 2002 Retention Survey Report(PDF on OJPE)
      Structured scores pending

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Sources