Dennis Maes
Trial Court · Pueblo · Pueblo
Meets Standards(Retain)4 cycles on record
Evaluation history
- 2008 retention cycleTrial Court · Pueblo · PuebloMeets Standards(Retain)VotersRetained· 79.1% yes51,741 yes · 13,670 no50% needed to retainReports: 2008 Retention Survey Report Need an accessible PDF Document version? Please click on the link below and email our staff Contact Us The Tenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Chief Judge Dennis Maes BE RETAINED. Background: Judge Maes was appointed to the Pueblo District Court bench in April 1988. He became Chief District Judge on September 1, 1995. He is also the water law judge for the Tenth Judicial District. Judge Maes received his undergraduate degree from Southern Colorado State College and his law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1972. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Maes was director of the Pueblo County Legal Services and a Deputy State Public Defender. He was in private practice from November of 1979 through April 1988 and was involved in many different aspects of both civil and criminal law. A community priority for Judge Maes both on and off the bench is working with at-risk juveniles to keep them in school and out of trouble. He plans to focus his future time on the bench in the areas of juvenile and water law. In addition to state holidays, in 2007 Judge Maes exercised 31 days of leave, which number, without benefit of any state published guidelines, the Commission found appropriate. The commission conducted an interview with Judge Maes, studied his self evaluation, reviewed the 21 returned surveys from attorneys, the 225 returned surveys from non-attorneys, and the three of his issued orders selected by him. It also held oral interviews with several agency representatives associated with groups and matters assigned to his courtroom. Strengths: Judge Maes excels in the areas of treating all people in his courtroom with respect, in clear communication with litigants and attorneys, in maintaining an appropriate demeanor and in maintaining a neutral position without bias while presiding over cases. His survey results make repeated descriptions of his as “firm,” “fair,” and “compassionate.” Weaknesses: Judge Maes, as Chief Judge, has administrative responsibilities. Judge Maes’ future reduced case load should give him time to address the administrative needs of the district. There is a concern that he may be delegating too much of this responsibility and perhaps should be concerned about the number of “paid leave” type days being taken by at least some of our judges. Judge Maes’ frustration with the jury selection process may result in artificial time restrictions placed on all litigants in his courtroom without regard to the differences which exist both between types of cases and attorneys. Recommendation: 81% of the 21 attorneys surveyed and 87% of the 112 non-attorneys surveyed strongly recommend that Judge Maes be retained in office. Overall, 91% of attorneys surveyed and 95% of non-attorneys surveyed supported his retention.
- 2002 retention cycleTrial Court · Pueblo · PuebloMeets Standards(Do Not 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 Tenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge C. Dennis Maes BE RETAINED. Judge Maes was appointed to the Pueblo District Court Bench in April 1988. He became Chief District Judge of the Tenth Judicial District on September 1, 1995. Prior to this appointment to the bench, Judge Maes was director of the Pueblo County Legal Services and a Deputy State Public Defender. He was in private practice from November of 1979 through April 1988. Judge Maes received his undergraduate degree from Southern Colorado State College and his law degree from the University Colorado School of Law in 1972. Judge Maes presently hears civil, criminal, domestic relations, water and juvenile cases and county court appeals. Judge Maes is a member of the Pueblo County Hispanic and Pueblo County Bar Associations. He was voted Outstanding Young Lawyer in 1981 and was president of the Pueblo County Young Lawyers. He was president of the Pueblo County Bar Association, a member of the Colorado Board of Law Examiners and a member of the Commission on Judicial Discipline. He has been a delegate to the House of Delegates with the American Bar Association, a member of the Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors, a member of Colorado Hispanic Bar Association Board of Directors, chairman of the Colorado Bar Foundation and a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Civil Justice Reform. His community service in numerous civic organizations spans almost two and one-half decades. Judge Maes was a past member of the Pueblo Regional Planning Commission, the board of trustees of the Sangre De Cristo Arts and Conference Center, the board of directors for the Eastside Child Care Center, the Pueblo County Legal Services board of directors, the Tenth Judicial District Board to Certify and Monitor Domestic Violence Treatment Facilities, the John Neumann Catholic Guild and was a board member of the David and Lucile Packard Advisory Board. Judge Maes also mentors an at-risk child. The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Maes from attorneys and non-attorneys. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Maes and conducted a personal interview with the judge and interviews with individuals from the Probation Department, Hispanic Bar, Colorado Legal Services, Public Defender’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Pueblo Bar Association and court personnel. Judge Maes received high ratings from both non-attorneys and attorneys in the categories surveyed. Eighty-six percent of the non-attorneys responding to the questionnaire recommended retention, 7% recommended do not retain and 6% had no opinion. Ninety-one percent of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire recommended that he be retained and 9% recommended that he not be retained.
- 1996 retention cycleTrial Court · Pueblo · PuebloMeets Standards(Retain)VotersRetained· 78.5% yes36,745 yes · 10,051 no50% needed to retainRetention Year: 1996 Recommendation: Retain The Tenth District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Maes BE RETAINED. Judge Charles Dennis Maes has been a Pueblo District Court Judge for the past seven years. Before going on the bench, Judge Maes was in private practice, was a public defender in the Pueblo Public Defender’s Office, and was past director of Pueblo County Legal Services. As a district court judge, Judge Maes presides over civil, domestic relations, criminal and juvenile cases. A survey was conducted to evaluate the performance of Judge Maes from members of law enforcement, attorneys, litigants, jurors, and court personnel. A couple of responses to the survey suggested Judge Maes at times lacked patience and was quick to make certain decisions. The overwhelming majority of the responses, however, praised Judge Maes for his sense of justice, treatment of all parties equally, knowledge of the law, promptness and ability to control his courtroom. Based on the surveys evaluating performance, Judge Maes is highly rated for his knowledge of the law, sense of justice, decision making ability and work ethic. Judge Maes received a very high overall rating for retention.
- 1990 retention cycleTrial Court · Pueblo · PuebloMeets Standards(Retain)VotersRetained· 77.2% yes29,981 yes · 8,854 no50% needed to retainRetention Year: 1990 Recommendation: Retain Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained. Judge Maes was admitted to the practice of law in 1972. He worked for Pueblo County Legal Services and the Colorado State Public Defender before entering private practice in 1979. He was appointed to the District Court in 1988. Serving in Division B of the District Court, Maes handles a variety of cases including criminal, civil, domestic relations and juvenile matters. People from law enforcement, courthouse staff, probation and social services departments, jurors, attorneys, parties to cases and members of the community responded to a survey conducted to evaluate the performance of Maes. Some response to the survey indicated Maes could improve his working relationship with certain persons within the judicial system. Other responses indicated Maes was courteous and fair in his dealings with people with whom he had contact.
Surveys & reports
- 2008 cycle
- 2008 Retention Survey Report(PDF on OJPE)
Read full retention survey textexpand
## Page 1 State off Colorado LLogo COOMMISSIOON ON JUUDICIALL PERFORRMANCEE CC.. DDeeennnniiss MMMMaaeess 22008 Juudicial PPerformmance Suurvey ## Page 2 April 30, 2008 The Honorable C. Dennis Maes Pueblo County Judicial Bldg. 320 West 10th St. Pueblo, CO. 81003 Dear Judge Maes: 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 2008 survey was conducted by Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy, Inc., who attempted to contact over 57,000 people statewide who had been in these courtrooms in one capacity or another. Over 12,400 people responded—3,084 to the attorney survey and 9,317 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 five 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. • Appellate Judges & Comments: New to the 2008 Judicial Performance Evaluation is a survey of Court of Appeals judges and Supreme Court justices regarding the overall performance of district judges. • 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 TThe Honorabble C. Denniss Maes AApril, 30 20088 PPage 2 If you havve any questtions about tthe methodoology and hoow the surveey was coonducted, pllease feel freee to contactt me at 303-4443-5300 ext 1, and for anny other questions youu might have about the ssurvey pleasse call the Exxecutive Dirrector of the CColorado Juddicial Performmance Progrram, Jane Hoowell, at 3033-837-3665. Beest regards, Paaul A. Talmeey Prresident ennc: ## Page 4 AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy ((SSaammppllee SSiizzee 2211)) ## Page 5 C. Dennis Maes AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy Average Grades: Overall and by Section 33..44 Overall Average 3.4 3.4 3.3 Q1. Overall Case 33.44 Management 3.4 3.4 Q2. Overall App & 3.4 Knowldge of Law 3.3 3.7 Q3. Overall 3.6 Communications 3.7 3.5 Q4. Overall Demeanor 3.5 3.5 3.4 Q5. Overall Diligence 3.4 3.4 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 AAvveerraaggee GGrraaddee C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 1 ## Page 6 C. Dennis Maes AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy Average Grades: Case Management 3.3 Q1. Overall Case Management 3.4 3.4 3.6 1a. Promptly making rulings 3.6 during trial 3.6 33.11 1b. Beginning court on time 3.6 3.5 3.2 1c. Allotting appropriate amount 3.4 of time for cases 3.4 3.3 1d. Keeping cases moving 3.4 according to schedule 3.5 3.0 1e. [Civil only] Assisting parties to 3.0 reach agreement 3.0 3.5 1f. Maintaining appropriate 3.5 control over proceedings 3.5 3.2 1g. Promptly ruling on pre-trial 3.3 motions 3.3 3.5 1h. Promptly issuing a decision 3.5 on the case after trial 3.5 3.4 1i. Setting reasonable schedules 3.3 for cases 33.44 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 2 ## Page 7 C. Dennis Maes AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy Average Grades: Application and Knowledge of Law 3.4 Q2. Overall App & Knowldge of 3.4 LLaaww 3.3 3.4 2a. Basing decisions on evidence 3.3 and arguments 3.3 3.5 2b. Giving reasons for rulings 3.4 3.4 2.9 2c. [Civil only] Issuing written 3.2 findings of fact and law 3.2 2.9 2d. Willing to reconsider error in 3.0 ffaacctt oorr llaaww 2.9 3.4 2e. Having knowledge of relevant 3.4 substantive law 3.3 3.4 2f. Having knowledge of rules of 3.5 pprroocceedduurree aanndd eevviiddeennccee 3.4 3.5 2g. Being able to identify and 3.4 analyze relevant facts 3.4 3.2 2h. [Criminal only] Issuing consistent sentences when the 3.3 circumstances are similar 3.3 3.4 2i. Willing to make decision without regard to possible 3.4 criticism 3.4 3.7 2j. Making decisions without fear 3.5 ooff bbeeiinngg aappppeeaalleedd 3.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 3 ## Page 8 C. Dennis Maes AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy Average Grades: Communications 3.7 Q3. Overall Communications 3.6 3.7 33.88 3a. Speaking clearly 3.7 3.7 3.7 3b. Making sure all participants 3.6 understand the proceedings 3.6 3.8 3c. Using understandable 3.7 language 3.7 3.5 3d. Providing written communications that are 3.3 clear, thorough and well reasoned 3.3 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 4 ## Page 9 C. Dennis Maes AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy Average Grades: Demeanor 3.5 Q4. Overall Demeanor 3.5 3.5 3.6 4a. Giving proceedings a sense 3.5 of dignity 3.5 3.8 4b. Treating everyone involved 3.4 politely 33.44 3.6 4c. Having empathy with the 3.3 parties involved 3.3 3.7 4d. Treating participants with 3.4 respect 3.5 3.3 4e. Presenting a neutral 3.4 presence on the bench 3.4 3.6 4f. Being consistent in [his/her] 3.4 behavior 3.5 33.33 4g. Conducting [his/her] 3.4 courtroom in a neutral manner 3.4 3.5 4h. Giving all participants an 3.5 opportunity to be heard 3.6 3.1 44ii. CCoonnssiisstteennttllyy aappppllyyiinngg llaawwss 3.4 and rules 3.4 3.1 4j. Not engaging in ex parte 3.7 communications 3.7 3.9 44kk. TTrreeaattiinngg pprroo ssee ppaarrttiieess ffaaiirrllyy 33.77 3.6 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 5 ## Page 10 C. Dennis Maes AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy Average Grades: Diligence 3.4 Q5. Overall Diligence 3.4 3.4 3.4 55aa. MMaakkiinngg ttoouugghh ddeecciissiioonnss wwhheenn 3.4 necessary 3.4 3.2 5b. Using good judgment in apppplication of relevant law and 3.3 rules 3.3 3.2 5c. Doing the necessary 'homework' and being prepared 3.4 for [[his/her]] cases 3.4 3.4 5d. Being willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are 3.5 complicated and time consuming 33.55 3.6 5e. Providing prompt access to 3.5 the court in emergency matters 3.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 6 ## Page 11 C. Dennis Maes AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy Q6. Average: How biased do you think Judge Maes is toward the defense or prosecution? C. Dennis Maes -0.7 All District Judges 0.4 All Trial Judges 0.7 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 (cid:205)Defense Prosecution (cid:206) Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 7 ## Page 12 C. Dennis Maes AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy Q7. Average: How lenient or how harsh are Judge Maes's sentences? C. Dennis Maes -2.1 All District Judges 0.1 All Trial Judges 0.3 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 (cid:205)Lenient Harsh (cid:206) Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 8 ## Page 13 C. Dennis Maes AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy Retention Recommendation 110000%% 90% 85% 81% 80% 77%77% 7744%%7744%% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 13% 13%13% 12% 10% 10% 10% 6%6% 6%6% 5% 5% 5% 4%4% 4%4% 4%4% 0% 0% 0% Including Undecided Excluding Undecided Judge Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 9 ## Page 14 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1a. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Promptly making rulings during trial?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 57% 59% 57% B 24% 17% 18% C 0% 3% 3% D 5% 1% 1% Fail 0% 1% 1% No Grade 14% 19% 21% Average 3.6 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 1 ## Page 15 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1b. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Beginning court on time?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 43% 66% 62% B 33% 23% 25% C 14% 5% 7% D 10% 2% 2% Fail 0% 1% 1% No Grade 0% 3% 2% Average 3.1 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 2 ## Page 16 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1c. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Allotting appropriate amount of time for cases?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 43% 55% 56% B 38% 27% 28% C 5% 9% 8% D 10% 3% 2% Fail 0% 1% 1% No Grade 5% 5% 4% Average 3.2 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 3 ## Page 17 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1d. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Keeping cases moving according to schedule?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 52% 58% 58% B 33% 27% 28% C 10% 7% 7% D 5% 3% 2% Fail 0% 1% 1% No Grade 0% 4% 4% Average 3.3 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 4 ## Page 18 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1e. How would you grade Judge Maes on "[Civil only] Assisting parties to reach agreement?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 23% 23% 23% B 23% 17% 17% C 0% 10% 8% D 0% 4% 3% Fail 8% 2% 2% No Grade 46% 44% 47% Average 3.0 3.0 3.0 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 5 ## Page 19 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1f. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 67% 64% 66% B 29% 22% 22% C 0% 8% 7% D 0% 3% 2% Fail 5% 1% 1% No Grade 0% 2% 2% Average 3.5 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 6 ## Page 20 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1g. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Promptly ruling on pre-trial motions?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 33% 45% 44% B 38% 23% 21% C 5% 9% 8% D 5% 3% 3% Fail 0% 2% 1% No Grade 19% 19% 24% Average 3.2 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 7 ## Page 21 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1h. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Promptly issuing a decision on the case after trial?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 38% 48% 48% B 29% 17% 16% C 5% 5% 4% D 0% 2% 1% Fail 0% 1% 1% No Grade 29% 27% 29% Average 3.5 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 8 ## Page 22 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1i. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Setting reasonable schedules for cases?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 62% 53% 54% B 14% 26% 26% C 24% 9% 8% D 0% 3% 3% Fail 0% 2% 2% No Grade 0% 7% 8% Average 3.4 3.3 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 9 ## Page 23 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2a. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Basing decisions on evidence and arguments?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 62% 54% 54% B 24% 25% 25% C 0% 9% 9% D 5% 4% 4% Fail 5% 3% 3% No Grade 5% 5% 5% Average 3.4 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 10 ## Page 24 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2b. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Giving reasons for rulings?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 57% 57% 56% B 33% 25% 25% C 10% 9% 9% D 0% 3% 4% Fail 0% 2% 2% No Grade 0% 4% 4% Average 3.5 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 11 ## Page 25 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2c. How would you grade Judge Maes on "[Civil only] Issuing written findings of fact and law?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 29% 32% 27% B 14% 18% 16% C 0% 7% 6% D 7% 3% 3% Fail 7% 1% 2% No Grade 43% 38% 47% Average 2.9 3.2 3.2 Letter Grade B- B B Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 12 ## Page 26 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2d. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Willing to reconsider error in fact or law?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 38% 27% 27% B 24% 18% 18% C 14% 9% 9% D 0% 4% 5% Fail 10% 4% 4% No Grade 14% 37% 38% Average 2.9 3.0 2.9 Letter Grade B- B B- Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 13 ## Page 27 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2e. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Having knowledge of relevant substantive law?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 67% 55% 54% B 24% 28% 28% C 0% 9% 9% D 0% 3% 4% Fail 10% 2% 2% No Grade 0% 3% 4% Average 3.4 3.4 3.3 Letter Grade B+ B+ B Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 14 ## Page 28 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2f. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Having knowledge of rules of procedure and evidence?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 67% 63% 60% B 24% 23% 24% C 0% 7% 8% D 0% 2% 3% Fail 10% 2% 2% No Grade 0% 3% 4% Average 3.4 3.5 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 15 ## Page 29 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2g. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 71% 58% 58% B 14% 24% 24% C 0% 9% 8% D 5% 3% 4% Fail 5% 2% 2% No Grade 5% 4% 4% Average 3.5 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 16 ## Page 30 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2h. How would you grade Judge Maes on "[Criminal only] Issuing consistent sentences when the circumstances are similar?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 38% 28% 36% B 14% 16% 18% C 14% 5% 5% D 5% 2% 2% Fail 0% 2% 1% No Grade 29% 48% 37% Average 3.2 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 17 ## Page 31 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2i. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Willing to make decision without regard to possible criticism?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 67% 54% 54% B 14% 20% 20% C 14% 7% 7% D 0% 2% 3% Fail 5% 2% 3% No Grade 0% 15% 14% Average 3.4 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 18 ## Page 32 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2j. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Making decisions without fear of being appealed?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 86% 55% 55% B 10% 19% 20% C 0% 6% 6% D 0% 2% 2% Fail 5% 1% 1% No Grade 0% 17% 16% Average 3.7 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 19 ## Page 33 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 3a. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Speaking clearly?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 86% 75% 76% B 10% 18% 18% C 5% 4% 4% D 0% 1% 1% Fail 0% 0% 0% No Grade 0% 1% 1% Average 3.8 3.7 3.7 Letter Grade A- A- A- Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 20 ## Page 34 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 3b. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Making sure all participants understand the proceedings?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 76% 71% 71% B 19% 20% 21% C 5% 5% 5% D 0% 1% 1% Fail 0% 1% 1% No Grade 0% 2% 2% Average 3.7 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 21 ## Page 35 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 3c. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Using understandable language?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 86% 75% 76% B 10% 20% 19% C 5% 4% 3% D 0% 1% 1% Fail 0% 0% 0% No Grade 0% 1% 1% Average 3.8 3.7 3.7 Letter Grade A- A- A- Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 22 ## Page 36 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 3d. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Providing written communications that are clear, thorough and well reasoned?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 64% 46% 46% B 14% 21% 21% C 0% 7% 7% D 0% 4% 4% Fail 7% 2% 2% No Grade 14% 20% 21% Average 3.5 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 23 ## Page 37 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4a. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Giving proceedings a sense of dignity?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 76% 69% 69% B 19% 19% 20% C 0% 6% 6% D 0% 2% 2% Fail 5% 2% 2% No Grade 0% 1% 1% Average 3.6 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 24 ## Page 38 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4b. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Treating everyone involved politely?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 90% 68% 69% B 5% 16% 17% C 0% 7% 7% D 0% 3% 3% Fail 5% 4% 4% No Grade 0% 1% 1% Average 3.8 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 25 ## Page 39 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4c. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Having empathy with the parties involved?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 86% 55% 55% B 0% 22% 22% C 10% 10% 10% D 0% 4% 4% Fail 5% 4% 4% No Grade 0% 5% 4% Average 3.6 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 26 ## Page 40 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4d. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Treating participants with respect?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 86% 67% 68% B 10% 17% 18% C 0% 8% 7% D 0% 4% 3% Fail 5% 3% 3% No Grade 0% 1% 1% Average 3.7 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 27 ## Page 41 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4e. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Presenting a neutral presence on the bench?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 67% 65% 64% B 14% 19% 20% C 10% 8% 8% D 5% 4% 4% Fail 5% 4% 4% No Grade 0% 2% 1% Average 3.3 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 28 ## Page 42 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4f. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Being consistent in [his/her] behavior?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 76% 64% 64% B 14% 20% 21% C 5% 7% 7% D 0% 3% 3% Fail 5% 3% 2% No Grade 0% 4% 4% Average 3.6 3.4 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 29 ## Page 43 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4g. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Conducting [his/her] courtroom in a neutral manner?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 62% 65% 64% B 19% 18% 20% C 14% 7% 7% D 0% 3% 4% Fail 5% 3% 3% No Grade 0% 3% 2% Average 3.3 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 30 ## Page 44 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4h. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Giving all participants an opportunity to be heard?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 76% 70% 70% B 5% 18% 19% C 14% 6% 6% D 5% 2% 2% Fail 0% 2% 2% No Grade 0% 2% 1% Average 3.5 3.5 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 31 ## Page 45 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4i. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Consistently applying laws and rules?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 52% 59% 59% B 29% 21% 21% C 10% 8% 8% D 0% 3% 3% Fail 10% 3% 3% No Grade 0% 6% 6% Average 3.1 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 32 ## Page 46 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4j. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Not engaging in ex parte communications?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 48% 67% 64% B 29% 10% 12% C 0% 2% 3% D 5% 1% 1% Fail 10% 1% 1% No Grade 10% 19% 19% Average 3.1 3.7 3.7 Letter Grade B A- A- Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 33 ## Page 47 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4k. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Treating pro se parties fairly?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 76% 47% 51% B 10% 9% 11% C 0% 3% 3% D 0% 1% 1% Fail 0% 1% 1% No Grade 14% 40% 33% Average 3.9 3.7 3.6 Letter Grade A- A- B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 34 ## Page 48 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 5a. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Making tough decisions when necessary?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 52% 55% 53% B 33% 21% 22% C 5% 7% 7% D 5% 3% 3% Fail 0% 1% 2% No Grade 5% 12% 13% Average 3.4 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 35 ## Page 49 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 5b. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Using good judgment in application of relevant law and rules?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 57% 53% 54% B 24% 26% 26% C 10% 10% 9% D 5% 4% 4% Fail 5% 3% 3% No Grade 0% 4% 4% Average 3.2 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 36 ## Page 50 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 5c. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Doing the necessary 'homework' and being prepared for [his/her] cases?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 52% 58% 56% B 24% 24% 24% C 10% 7% 8% D 5% 2% 2% Fail 5% 2% 2% No Grade 5% 6% 9% Average 3.2 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 37 ## Page 51 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 5d. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Being willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time consuming?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 52% 56% 54% B 24% 18% 18% C 5% 5% 6% D 0% 2% 2% Fail 5% 1% 2% No Grade 14% 17% 19% Average 3.4 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 38 ## Page 52 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 5e. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Providing prompt access to the court in emergency matters?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 67% 40% 39% B 10% 13% 14% C 5% 5% 4% D 5% 1% 1% Fail 0% 1% 1% No Grade 14% 40% 40% Average 3.6 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 39 ## Page 53 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 6. How biased do you think Judge Maes is towards the defense or the prosecution? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 5 0% 2% 3% ⇑ 4 0% 3% 4% 3 0% 6% 7% 2 0% 9% 10% 1 0% 13% 14% 0 Neutral 67% 54% 53% -1 13% 6% 4% -2 0% 3% 2% -3 20% 2% 2% -4 0% 2% 1% ⇓ -5 0% 1% 0% Average -0.7 0.4 0.7 noitucesorP drawoT esnefeD drawoT Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 40 ## Page 54 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 7. How lenient or harsh do you think the sentences handed down by Judge Maes are? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 5 0% 2% 2% ⇑ 4 0% 3% 3% 3 0% 4% 4% 2 0% 7% 8% 1 0% 8% 10% 0 Appropriate 33% 56% 60% -1 13% 5% 4% -2 13% 5% 3% -3 13% 5% 3% -4 7% 2% 1% ⇓ -5 20% 2% 1% Average -2.1 0.1 0.3 hsraH oT thgiL oT Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 41 ## Page 55 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 12. Do you recommend that Judge Maes be retained in office or not be retained in office? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 Strongly Recommend 85% 77% 77% Retain in office Somewhat Recommend 10% 13% 13% Retain in office Somewhat Recommend Not 0% 4% 4% Retain in office Strongly Recommend Not Retain in office 5% 6% 6% Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 42 ## Page 56 AAppppeellllaattee JJuuddggee SSuurrvveeyy ((SSaammppllee SSiizzee 2200)) ## Page 57 C. Dennis Maes Appellate Survey Overall Performance of Judge Maes Judge All District Maes Judges A 50% 28% B 30% 14% C 0% 3% D 0% 0% Fail 0% 0% No Grade 20% 55% Average 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2004 Page 1 ## Page 58 NNoonn--AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy ((SSaammppllee SSiizzee 222255)) ## Page 59 C. Dennis Maes NNoonn-AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy Average Grades: Overall and by Section 3.7 Overall Average 3.6 3.6 3.8 QQ11. OOvveerraallll DDeemmeeaannoorr 33.66 3.6 3.8 Q2. Overall Fairness 3.6 3.6 3.8 Q3. Overall 3.7 Communications 3.7 3.7 Q4. Overall Diligence 3.6 3.6 3.7 Q5. Overall Application of 3.6 Law 3.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 AAverage GGradde C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 1 ## Page 60 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey Average Grades: Demeanor 3.8 Q1. Overall Demeanor 3.6 3.6 33.88 1a. Giving court proceedings a 3.7 sense of dignity 3.6 3.8 1b. Treating participants politely 3.7 and with respect 3.6 3.7 1c. Conducting [his/her] 3.6 courtroom in a neutral manner 3.6 3.8 1d. Having a sense of compassion and human 3.6 understanding for those who appear before the judge 3.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 2 ## Page 61 C. Dennis Maes NNoonn-AAttttoorrnneeyy SSuurrvveeyy Average Grades: Fairness 3.8 Q2. Overall Fairness 3.6 3.6 3.8 2a. Giving participants an 3.7 opportunity to be heard 3.6 3.8 2b. Treating those involved with 3.6 the case without bias 3.5 3.8 2c. Treating fairly people who 3.6 represent themselves 3.5 3.8 2d. Giving each side enough 3.7 time to present his or her case 33.66 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 3 ## Page 62 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey Average Grades: Communications 3.8 Q3. Overall Communications 3.7 3.7 3.8 3a. Making sure all participants understand the 3.7 proceedings, and what's going on in the courtroom 3.6 3.8 3b. Using language that 3.7 everyone can understand 3.7 3.8 3c. Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom can 3.7 hear what's being said 3.7 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 4 ## Page 63 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey Average Grades: Diligence 3.7 Q4. Overall Diligence 3.6 3.6 3.5 44a. BBegiinniing courtt on ttiime 33.55 3.4 3.8 4b. Maintaining appropriate 33..77 conttroll over proceeddiings 3.7 3.7 4c. Setting reasonable 3.6 sscchheedduulleess ffoorr ccaasseess 3.6 3.8 4d. Being prepared for [his/her] 3.7 cases 3.6 3.7 4e. Managing court proceedings so that there is 3.5 little wasted time 3.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 5 ## Page 64 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey Average Grades: Application and Knowledge of Law 3.7 Q5. Overall App of Law 3.6 3.5 3.7 5a. Giving reasons for rulings 3.6 3.5 3.8 5b. Willing to make decision without regard to possible 3.6 outside pressure 3.5 3.8 5c. Being able to identify and 3.6 analyze relevant facts 33.55 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Average Grade C. Dennis Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 6 ## Page 65 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey Average: How biased do you think Judge Maes is toward the defense or prosecution? C. Dennis Maes 0.0 All District Judges 0.1 All Trial Judges 0.1 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 (cid:205) Defense Prosecution (cid:206) Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 7 ## Page 66 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey Average: How lenient or how harsh are Judge Maes's sentences? C. Dennis Maes -0.4 All District Judges 0.0 All Trial Judges 0.0 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 (cid:205) Lenient Harsh (cid:206) Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 8 ## Page 67 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey Retention Recommendation 100% 90% 90% 87% 87% 85% 81% 80% 78% 70% 60% 5500%% 40% 30% 20% 10% 8% 8% 8% 8% 7% 7%7% 7% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 2%2% 2%2% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% Including Undecided Excluding Undecided Judge Maes All District Judges All Trial Judges Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 9 ## Page 68 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 1a. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Giving proceedings a sense of dignity?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 82% 76% 73% B 14% 16% 18% C 2% 3% 4% D 0% 2% 2% Fail 0% 1% 2% No Grade 0% 1% 1% Average 3.8 3.7 3.6 Letter Grade A- A- B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 1 ## Page 69 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 1b. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Treating participants politely and with respect?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 84% 79% 76% B 15% 13% 14% C 1% 4% 4% D 0% 1% 2% Fail 0% 2% 3% No Grade 0% 1% 1% Average 3.8 3.7 3.6 Letter Grade A- A- B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 2 ## Page 70 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 1c. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Conducting [his/her] courtroom in a neutral manner?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 79% 77% 74% B 15% 13% 14% C 4% 4% 5% D 0% 2% 2% Fail 0% 2% 3% No Grade 0% 1% 1% Average 3.7 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 3 ## Page 71 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 1d. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Having a sense of compassion and human understanding for those who appear before the judge?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 81% 71% 69% B 14% 17% 17% C 3% 4% 5% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 0% 3% 4% No Grade 1% 3% 3% Average 3.8 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 4 ## Page 72 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 2a. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Giving participants an opportunity to be heard?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 81% 77% 75% B 15% 14% 14% C 2% 4% 4% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 0% 2% 3% No Grade 1% 2% 2% Average 3.8 3.7 3.6 Letter Grade A- A- B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 5 ## Page 73 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 2b. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Treating those involved in the case without bias?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 81% 75% 73% B 13% 14% 14% C 3% 3% 4% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 0% 3% 4% No Grade 2% 3% 3% Average 3.8 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 6 ## Page 74 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 2c. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Treating fairly people who represent themselves?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 57% 47% 49% B 11% 8% 9% C 1% 2% 3% D 1% 1% 1% Fail 0% 2% 3% No Grade 30% 39% 35% Average 3.8 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 7 ## Page 75 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 2d. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Giving each side enough time to present his or her case?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 79% 75% 72% B 13% 14% 14% C 2% 3% 4% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 0% 2% 3% No Grade 5% 5% 5% Average 3.8 3.7 3.6 Letter Grade A- A- B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 8 ## Page 76 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 3a. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Making sure participants understand the proceedings, and what's going on in the courtroom?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 84% 78% 76% B 12% 13% 14% C 2% 4% 5% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 0% 1% 2% No Grade 0% 2% 2% Average 3.8 3.7 3.6 Letter Grade A- A- B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 9 ## Page 77 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 3b. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Using language that everyone can understand?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 84% 78% 76% B 13% 16% 16% C 2% 4% 4% D 0% 1% 1% Fail 0% 1% 1% No Grade 0% 1% 1% Average 3.8 3.7 3.7 Letter Grade A- A- A- Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 10 ## Page 78 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 3c. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Speaking clearly so everyone in the courtroom can hear what's being said?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 83% 79% 78% B 15% 14% 14% C 2% 4% 4% D 0% 1% 1% Fail 0% 1% 1% No Grade 0% 1% 1% Average 3.8 3.7 3.7 Letter Grade A- A- A- Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 11 ## Page 79 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 4a. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Beginning court on time?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 59% 61% 61% B 29% 24% 24% C 9% 7% 8% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 1% 2% 2% No Grade 1% 4% 4% Average 3.5 3.5 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 12 ## Page 80 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 4b. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 82% 78% 77% B 17% 15% 15% C 1% 4% 4% D 0% 1% 1% Fail 0% 1% 1% No Grade 0% 2% 2% Average 3.8 3.7 3.7 Letter Grade A- A- A- Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 13 ## Page 81 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 4c. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Setting reasonable schedules for cases?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 72% 64% 62% B 18% 17% 17% C 1% 5% 5% D 1% 1% 1% Fail 0% 2% 2% No Grade 8% 12% 13% Average 3.7 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 14 ## Page 82 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 4d. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Being prepared for [his/her] cases?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 80% 73% 71% B 13% 14% 14% C 1% 3% 4% D 1% 1% 1% Fail 0% 2% 2% No Grade 5% 7% 8% Average 3.8 3.7 3.6 Letter Grade A- A- B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 15 ## Page 83 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 4e. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Managing court proceedings so that there is little wasted time?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 74% 67% 66% B 18% 21% 20% C 5% 6% 7% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 0% 2% 2% No Grade 1% 3% 3% Average 3.7 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 16 ## Page 84 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 5a. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Giving reasons for rulings?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 68% 67% 65% B 20% 16% 16% C 1% 4% 5% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 0% 2% 3% No Grade 9% 9% 9% Average 3.7 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 17 ## Page 85 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 5b. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Willing to make decision without regard to possible outside pressure?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 71% 61% 59% B 10% 11% 12% C 3% 3% 4% D 0% 2% 2% Fail 1% 3% 3% No Grade 15% 20% 20% Average 3.8 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 18 ## Page 86 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 5c. How would you grade Judge Maes on "Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts?" Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 A 74% 68% 66% B 13% 13% 14% C 2% 3% 4% D 1% 2% 3% Fail 0% 3% 4% No Grade 10% 10% 10% Average 3.8 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade A- B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 19 ## Page 87 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 6. How biased do you think Judge Maes is towards the defense or the prosecution? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 5 0% 1% 2% ⇑ 4 1% 1% 1% 3 2% 2% 2% 2 0% 2% 2% 1 0% 4% 5% 0 Neutral 92% 84% 82% -1 2% 2% 3% -2 2% 2% 1% -3 1% 1% 1% -4 0% 1% 1% ⇓ -5 1% 1% 1% Average 0.0 0.1 0.1 noitucesorP drawoT esnefeD drawoT Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 20 ## Page 88 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 7. How lenient or harsh do you think the sentences handed down by Judge Maes are? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2008 Judges 2008 5 1% 2% 2% ⇑ 4 1% 1% 2% 3 0% 2% 2% 2 0% 2% 2% 1 2% 3% 3% 0 Appropriate 78% 78% 76% -1 1% 5% 5% -2 8% 4% 4% -3 5% 2% 2% -4 4% 1% 1% ⇓ -5 0% 1% 1% Average -0.4 0.0 0.0 hsraH oT thgiL oT Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 21 ## Page 89 C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 12. Do you recommend that Judge Maes be retained in office or not be retained in office? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2006 Judges 2008 Strongly Recommend 90% 87% 85% Retain in office Somewhat Recommend 8% 7% 8% Retain in office Somewhat Recommend Not 0% 2% 2% Retain in office Strongly Recommend Not Retain in office 1% 4% 5% Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 22 ## Page 90 MMeetthhooddoollooggyy ## Page 91 MMeetthhooddoollooggyy Sample: The databases of names and addresses of the people who had likely been in each judge’s courtroom were primarily provided by the Colorado Judicial Department, Colorado District Attorneys’ Council and the Denver County Courts. These three sources provided name and address data in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Starting in the second quarter of 2007, the data was provided quarterly. Where there were low sample counts, this data was supplemented by contacting district court administrators for additional sample of particular types of potential respondents. The data was then combined, duplicates removed and addresses corrected— quarterly starting in 2007. Depending on the available number of names and the count of already received surveys for a particular judge, either all or a random sample of names were 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 appeared. Survey: Each person whose name was drawn 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 would be sent a personalized introductory letter and a questionnaire with a postage-paid return envelope. Those who did not respond to the first questionnaire were then sent a sent follow-up postcard. If the person did not respond after the follow-up postcard, a second questionnaire and letter were sent and in some instances a second follow-up postcard was sent after the second letter and questionnaire. In order to increase the number of attorney responses, particularly for judges with few attorney responses, telephone interviews were conducted with attorneys who had not responded to the mailed questionnaires. Over 900 interviews were completed by telephone. 1 ## Page 92 Questionnaire: The questionnaire used in the 2008 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 respondents 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 estimated 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 estimated overall response rate as well as the response rate by the different types of respondents. The true response rates are likely considerably higher than shown because of the relatively high percentage of people who were mailed questionnaires about judges who they had not observed in court. 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 similar table showing the response counts and estimated cooperation rate for your survey is provided at the end of this methodology section. 2 ## Page 93 Total No Undeliverable/ Other Non- Cooperation Sent Response Not Applicable responses Completes Rate Attorneys Criminal District Attorneys 841 306 93 2 440 58.8% Defense Attorneys 1,082 341 102 2 637 65.0% Other Attorneys Crmnl 809 418 27 3 361 46.2% Civil Attorneys for Litigants 1,395 312 171 13 899 73.4% Other Attorneys Civil 598 280 53 2 263 48.3% Attorneys, Unknown Role 852 289 77 2 484 62.5% Total Attorneys 5,577 1,946 523 24 3,084 61.0% Non-attorneys Criminal Law Enforcement 8,170 5,431 1,417 34 1,288 19.1% Defendant 13,787 9,091 3,737 25 934 9.3% Victim 295 222 63 2 8 3.4% Witness 1,886 1,342 453 5 86 6.0% Other 5,396 3,532 1,301 43 520 12.7% Civil Litigant 6,552 4,390 1,109 21 1,032 19.0% Witness 46 31 5 0 10 24.4% Other 59 29 15 0 15 34.1% Non-attnys, Unknown Role 5,065 2,598 1,843 12 612 19.0% Total Non-attorneys 41,256 26,666 9,943 142 4,505 14.4% Others Appellate Judges 26 6 0 0 20 76.9% Jurors 10,214 4,940 460 22 4,792 49.1% Total Other 10,240 4,946 460 22 4,812 49.2% Total 57,073 33,558 10,926 188 12,401 26.9% 3 ## Page 94 Results: The results of the Survey are in three main sections: Attorney respondents, Appellate Judge respondents and Non-attorney respondents. Within the Attorney and Non-attorney section are subsections of graphs displaying average grades for each section of the questionnaire and each question and tables showing the percentage distribution of grades. The Appellate Judge section is new this year, and shows the percentage distribution of the grades given by the appellate judges on overall performance. 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 judges, and all trial judges for which 2008 surveys were conducted. Questions relating to bias toward the defense or prosecution, sentencing and retention recommendation are also graphed. 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— = 3.67 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 0.66 This section also includes two comparative columns of results: one comparative column shows the results for that question for district judges surveyed in 2008, along with a second comparative column showing the results for all trial judges in the 2008 survey. 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. 4 ## Page 95 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. 5 ## Page 96 C. Dennis Maes Responses by Type Total No Undeliverable/ Other Non- Coop Role Type Sent Response Not Applicable Responses Completes Rate Attorneys Criminal District Attorneys 13 4 0 0 9 69.2% Defense Attorneys 10 6 0 0 4 40.0% Other Attorneys Criminal 2 1 0 0 1 50.0% Civil Attorneys for Litigants 7 0 0 0 7 100.0% Attorneys, Unknown Role Type 1 1 0 0 0 0.0% Total Attorneys 33 12 0 0 21 36.4% Non-attorneys Criminal Law Enforcement 140 93 10 0 37 28.5% Defendant 157 103 42 0 12 10.4% Witness 51 35 13 0 3 7.9% Other 180 113 39 1 27 19.1% Civil Litigant 93 71 11 0 11 13.4% Non-attorneys, Unknown Role Type 101 52 26 1 22 29.3% Total Non-attorneys 722 467 141 2 112 80.4% Others Appellate Judges 26 6 0 0 20 76.9% Jurors 204 86 4 1 113 56.5% Total Others 230 92 4 1 133 40.7% Grand Total: 985 571 145 3 266 31.7% Judicial Performance Survey 2008 Page 1 ## Page 97 QQuueessttiioonnnnaaiirreess ## Page 98 Commission on Judicial Performance 10. And what would you say are Judge [Last Name]’s weaknesses? _ Attorney Questionnaire _ _ Evaluation of _ _ JUDGE [NAME] 11. Is there anything else that you would like to say about Judge [Last Name]? _ 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 _ 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/NS). _ DK 1. Case Management: A B C D F N/A 12. Keeping in mind your responses to each of the previous questions, how a. Promptly making rulings during trial. 4 3 2 1 0 9 strongly do you recommend that Judge [Last Name] be retained in office, or not retained in office? b. Beginning court on time. 4 3 2 1 0 9 c. Allotting appropriate amount of time for cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Strongly recommend he be retained in office. 5 Somewhat recommend he be retained in office . 4 d. Keeping cases moving according to schedule. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Undecided or don’t know enough to make recommendation . 3 e. [Civil only]1 Assisting parties to reach agreement. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Somewhat recommend he not be retained in office . 2 f. Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Strongly recommend he not be retained in office . 1 g. Promptly ruling on pre-trial motions. 4 3 2 1 0 9 And why do you think that way about retaining or not retaining Judge [Last h. Promptly issuing a decision on the case after trial. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Name]? 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 _ _ c. [Civil only]1 Issuing written findings of fact and law. 4 3 2 1 0 9 d. Willing to reconsider error in fact or law. 4 3 2 1 0 9 e. Having knowledge of relevant substantive law. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Thank you for your time in completing this questionnaire. f. Having knowledge of rules of procedure Please place it in the self-addressed, postage paid enveloped and evidence. 4 3 2 1 0 9 provided, and place it in the mail. Your participation in this g. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 4 3 2 1 0 9 survey is very much appreciated. 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 DK 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 99 3. Communications: A B C D F N/A 6. [Criminal cases only] 1 On the scale below, please indicate by circling the a. Speaking clearly. 4 3 2 1 0 9 appropriate number how biased you think Judge [Last Name] is toward b. Makings sure all participants understand the defense or the prosecution. If you feel Judge [Last Name] is the proceedings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 completely unbiased, circle “0.” c. Using understandable language. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Bias toward Completely Bias toward Defense Neutral Prosecution d. Providing written communications that are clear, thorough and well reasoned. 4 3 2 1 0 9 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 [Last Name] are. If you feel Judge [Last b. Treating everyone involved politely. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Name] 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 manner. 4 3 2 1 0 9 Though your name will never be associated with your answers, because the judge will h. Giving all participants an opportunity to be heard. 4 3 2 1 0 9 see a typed transcript of the comments that you and others write, it is important that i. Consistently applying laws and rules. 4 3 2 1 0 9 you do not include information in the comments below that would unintentionally identify you as the author. 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 8. If an associate were assigned to Judge [Last Name] in a case and asked you for advice, what would you say? DK ________________________________________________________ 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 9. What would you say are Judge [Last Name]’s strengths? prepared for his/her cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 ___________________________________________________________ d. Being willing to handle cases on the docket even ___________________________________________________________ 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] {Question 3d is asked only regarding district judges.} 1 Please answer questions 6 & 7 only if you have observed the judge in a criminal case. ## Page 100 12. Keeping in mind your responses to each of the previous questions, how Commission on Judicial Performance 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 Evaluation of Somewhat recommend he/she be retained in office ............................ 4 JUDGE[NAME] 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). [Last 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 understanding for those who appear place it in the self-addressed, postage paid enveloped provided, before him/her. 4 3 2 1 0 9 and place it in the mail. Your participation in this survey is 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 101 DK Though your name will never be associated with your answers, because the judge will 4. Diligence: A B C D F N/A see a typed transcript of the comments that you and others write, it is important that a. Beginning court on time. 4 3 2 1 0 9 you do not include information in the comments below that would unintentionally identify you as the author. b. Maintaining appropriate control over proceedings. 4 3 2 1 0 9 8. If a friend of yours was scheduled to appear before Judge [Last Name] c. Setting reasonable schedules for cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 as a party in either a civil or criminal case and asked you for advice, what d. Being prepared for his/her cases. 4 3 2 1 0 9 would you tell your friend about Judge [Last Name] ? e. Managing court proceedings so that there is _ little wasted time. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ _ _ 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 9. What would you say are Judge [Last Name]’s strengths? possible outside pressure. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ c. Being able to identify and analyze relevant facts. 4 3 2 1 0 9 _ _ _ _ 6. [If you were in [Last 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 [Last Name] is toward the defense or 10. And what would you say are Judge [Last Name]’s weaknesses? the prosecution. If you feel Judge [Last Name] is completely unbiased, _ circle “0.” _ _ Bias toward Completely Bias toward _ Defense Neutral Prosecution _ 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 _ 7. [If you were in [Last Name]’s courtroom during a criminal case or 11. Is there anything else that you would like to say about Judge cases please answer this question, otherwise skip to the next [Last Name] ? 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 [Last Name] are. If you feel Judge [Last Name] generally hands _ down appropriate sentences, circle “0.” _ Sentences Appropriate Sentences _ Too Light Sentences Too Harsh _ 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Continued on Back Page
- 2002 cycle
- 2002 Retention Survey Report(PDF on OJPE)
Read full retention survey textexpand
## Page 1 March 6, 2002 The Honorable C. Dennis Maes Pueblo County Judicial Bldg. 320 West 10th St. Pueblo, CO 81003 Dear Judge Maes: 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 6, 2002 The Honorable C. Dennis Maes 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 C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1a. How would you grade Judge Maes on being courteous toward parties or witnesses? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 56% 65% 65% B 32% 20% 21% C 6% 6% 7% D 6% 3% 3% Fail 2% 2% No Grade 4% 3% Average Grade 3.4 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 1 ## Page 4 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1b. How would you grade Judge Maes on being courteous toward attorneys? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 56% 60% 61% B 32% 22% 22% C 6% 8% 8% D 4% 4% Fail 6% 3% 3% No Grade 3% 3% Average Grade 3.3 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 2 ## Page 5 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 1c. How would you grade Judge Maes on being courteous toward pro se parties? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 50% 43% 48% B 29% 13% 14% C 3% 4% 6% D 3% 1% 2% Fail 1% 2% No Grade 15% 37% 29% Average Grade 3.5 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 3 ## Page 6 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2a. How would you grade Judge Maes on treating parties equally regardless of race? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 65% 61% 63% B 15% 11% 12% C 6% 3% 3% D 3% 1% 1% Fail 3% 1% 1% No Grade 9% 24% 19% Average Grade 3.5 3.7 3.7 Letter Grade B+ A- A- Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 4 ## Page 7 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2b. How would you grade Judge Maes on treating parties equally regardless of gender? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 71% 65% 66% B 15% 12% 14% C 3% 5% 5% D 2% 2% Fail 6% 2% 2% No Grade 6% 14% 12% Average Grade 3.5 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 5 ## Page 8 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2c. How would you grade Judge Maes on treating parties equally regardless of age? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 71% 64% 66% B 12% 12% 13% C 6% 3% 4% D 1% 1% Fail 3% 1% 1% No Grade 9% 18% 15% Average Grade 3.6 3.7 3.7 Letter Grade B+ A- A- Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 6 ## Page 9 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2d. How would you grade Judge Maes on treating parties equally regardless of social/economic status? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 71% 64% 65% B 15% 12% 13% C 6% 5% 5% D 2% 2% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 6% 15% 13% Average Grade 3.6 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 7 ## Page 10 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2e. How would you grade Judge Maes on being fair and impartial toward both sides? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 53% 61% 60% B 29% 17% 17% C 9% 8% 8% D 4% 5% Fail 9% 4% 4% No Grade 6% 5% Average Grade 3.2 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 8 ## Page 11 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2f. How would you grade Judge Maes on treating pro se parties fairly? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 62% 47% 51% B 12% 10% 11% C 6% 3% 4% D 3% 1% 1% Fail 1% 1% No Grade 18% 38% 31% Average Grade 3.6 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 9 ## Page 12 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 2g. How would you grade Judge Maes on not engaging in ex parte communications? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 59% 61% 59% B 21% 10% 12% C 9% 4% 4% D 1% 1% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 9% 23% 21% Average Grade 3.5 3.7 3.6 Letter Grade B+ A- B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 10 ## Page 13 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 3a. How would you grade Judge Maes on providing written communications that are clear, thorough, and well reasoned? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 24% 42% 37% B 41% 23% 23% C 15% 9% 9% D 2% 2% Fail 9% 3% 2% No Grade 12% 21% 27% Average Grade 2.8 3.3 3.2 Letter Grade B- B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 11 ## Page 14 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 3b. How would you grade Judge Maes on communicating verbally in a clear, thorough, and well reasoned manner? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 38% 55% 54% B 41% 27% 28% C 9% 9% 9% D 3% 3% 4% Fail 9% 2% 2% No Grade 3% 3% Average Grade 3.0 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 12 ## Page 15 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 3c. How would you grade Judge Maes on explaining court procedures clearly and thoroughly? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 41% 54% 54% B 50% 25% 26% C 9% 9% D 3% 3% Fail 9% 2% 2% No Grade 8% 7% Average Grade 3.1 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 13 ## Page 16 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4a. How would you grade Judge Maes on maintaining a professional demeanor in the courtroom? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 62% 64% 64% B 26% 20% 21% C 6% 6% 7% D 3% 4% Fail 6% 3% 3% No Grade 3% 3% Average Grade 3.4 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 14 ## Page 17 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 4b. How would you grade Judge Maes on listening patiently to all testimony and arguments before issuing a ruling? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 59% 57% 57% B 21% 22% 22% C 9% 8% 8% D 3% 4% 5% Fail 9% 4% 4% No Grade 5% 4% Average Grade 3.2 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 15 ## Page 18 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 5a. How would you grade Judge Maes on managing cases and docket efficiently and with minimal delay? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 53% 45% 46% B 32% 27% 27% C 12% 11% 11% D 4% 4% Fail 4% 4% No Grade 3% 9% 8% Average Grade 3.4 3.2 3.2 Letter Grade B+ B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 16 ## Page 19 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 5b. How would you grade Judge Maes on being punctual in commencing proceedings? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 44% 55% 54% B 41% 28% 28% C 6% 8% 9% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 3% 4% 4% Average Grade 3.2 3.4 3.3 Letter Grade B B+ B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 17 ## Page 20 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 5c. How would you grade Judge Maes on using court time efficiently? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 47% 54% 54% B 38% 26% 25% C 6% 10% 10% D 3% 3% 3% Fail 6% 3% 3% No Grade 5% 5% Average Grade 3.2 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 18 ## Page 21 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 5d. How would you grade Judge Maes on being prepared for all court matters? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 47% 59% 58% B 32% 22% 23% C 12% 7% 7% D 3% 2% 3% Fail 6% 2% 2% No Grade 7% 7% Average Grade 3.1 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 19 ## Page 22 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 5e. How would you grade Judge Maes on being willing to handle cases on the docket even when they are complicated and time Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 50% 49% 49% B 21% 18% 18% C 15% 7% 7% D 2% 3% Fail 3% 3% 3% No Grade 12% 21% 21% Average Grade 3.3 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 20 ## Page 23 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 5f. How would you grade Judge Maes on providing quick access to the court in emergency matters? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 41% 32% 33% B 32% 13% 13% C 3% 5% 5% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 3% 2% 2% No Grade 18% 46% 45% Average Grade 3.3 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 21 ## Page 24 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 6a. How would you grade Judge Maes on having knowledge of the rules of evidence and procedure? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 38% 57% 53% B 35% 24% 25% C 15% 8% 9% D 2% 3% Fail 9% 2% 2% No Grade 3% 7% 7% Average Grade 3.0 3.4 3.3 Letter Grade B B+ B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 22 ## Page 25 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 6b. How would you grade Judge Maes on ruling on motions in a timely matter? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 35% 49% 49% B 41% 25% 25% C 6% 8% 8% D 3% 3% Fail 6% 3% 3% No Grade 12% 11% 13% Average Grade 3.1 3.3 3.3 Letter Grade B B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 23 ## Page 26 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 6c. How would you grade Judge Maes on making the correct decision based upon the law and the facts? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 24% 45% 44% B 41% 29% 29% C 21% 11% 12% D 3% 5% 5% Fail 9% 4% 4% No Grade 3% 6% 6% Average Grade 2.7 3.1 3.1 Letter Grade B- B B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 24 ## Page 27 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 6d. How would you grade Judge Maes on making decisions without regard to possible criticism? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 29% 51% 50% B 32% 20% 20% C 12% 8% 8% D 3% 3% 3% Fail 9% 3% 3% No Grade 15% 16% 15% Average Grade 2.8 3.4 3.3 Letter Grade B- B+ B Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 25 ## Page 28 Judge C. Dennis Maes Attorney Survey 7. Do you recommend that Judge Maes be retained in office or not be retained in office? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 Retain in office 91% 85% 84% Do not retain in office 9% 10% 11% No opinion 5% 5% Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 26 ## Page 29 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 1a. How would you grade Judge Maes on being courteous toward everyone in the courtroom? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 60% 68% 67% B 23% 19% 19% C 6% 5% 6% D 2% 2% 2% Fail 1% 2% 2% No Grade 7% 4% 4% Average Grade 3.5 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 1 ## Page 30 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 1b. How would you grade Judge Maes on being courteous toward persons representing themselves? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 38% 44% 47% B 15% 14% 15% C 5% 4% 5% D 1% 1% 2% Fail 2% 2% 2% No Grade 39% 35% 30% Average Grade 3.4 3.5 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 2 ## Page 31 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 2a. How would you grade Judge Maes on treating parties equally regardless of race? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 61% 68% 65% B 18% 14% 14% C 6% 3% 4% D 4% 1% 1% Fail 2% 1% 2% No Grade 9% 13% 14% Average Grade 3.4 3.7 3.6 Letter Grade B+ A- B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 3 ## Page 32 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 2b. How would you grade Judge Maes on treating parties equally regardless of gender? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 63% 70% 67% B 15% 15% 16% C 7% 4% 5% D 2% 1% 2% Fail 2% 2% 2% No Grade 11% 8% 9% Average Grade 3.5 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 4 ## Page 33 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 2c. How would you grade Judge Maes on treating parties equally regardless of age? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 63% 70% 67% B 16% 15% 16% C 6% 4% 5% D 3% 1% 1% Fail 1% 1% 2% No Grade 11% 9% 10% Average Grade 3.5 3.7 3.6 Letter Grade B+ A- B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 5 ## Page 34 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 2d. How would you grade Judge Maes on treating parties equally regardless of social/economic status? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 61% 69% 66% B 18% 15% 15% C 6% 4% 5% D 2% 2% 2% Fail 2% 2% 3% No Grade 11% 9% 9% Average Grade 3.5 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 6 ## Page 35 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 2e. How would you grade Judge Maes on being fair and impartial toward both sides? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 63% 68% 65% B 17% 15% 16% C 7% 5% 5% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 5% 4% 4% No Grade 7% 6% 7% Average Grade 3.4 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 7 ## Page 36 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 2f. How would you grade Judge Maes on treating parties without attorneys fairly? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 41% 40% 43% B 13% 11% 12% C 6% 3% 4% D 2% 1% 2% Fail 1% 2% 3% No Grade 38% 44% 37% Average Grade 3.5 3.5 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 8 ## Page 37 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 2g. How would you grade Judge Maes on giving each side enough time to present his or her case? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 61% 66% 63% B 19% 16% 16% C 5% 5% 5% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 2% 2% 3% No Grade 11% 9% 11% Average Grade 3.5 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 9 ## Page 38 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 3a. How would you grade Judge Maes on speaking in a way that is clearly understood? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 67% 72% 70% B 23% 18% 19% C 6% 5% 6% D 1% 1% 2% Fail 1% 1% 1% No Grade 3% 2% 2% Average Grade 3.6 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 10 ## Page 39 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 3b. How would you grade Judge Maes on explaining court procedures clearly and thoroughly? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 66% 71% 69% B 18% 18% 18% C 8% 5% 6% D 1% 1% 2% Fail 1% 1% 2% No Grade 7% 4% 4% Average Grade 3.6 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 11 ## Page 40 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 4a. How would you grade Judge Maes on maintaining a professional demeanor in the courtroom? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 67% 74% 72% B 20% 15% 16% C 7% 5% 5% D 2% 2% 2% Fail 2% 1% 2% No Grade 3% 3% 3% Average Grade 3.5 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 12 ## Page 41 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 4b. How would you grade Judge Maes on listening patiently to all testimony and arguments before issuing a ruling? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 63% 68% 66% B 20% 16% 17% C 4% 5% 5% D 3% 2% 2% Fail 2% 3% 3% No Grade 8% 6% 6% Average Grade 3.5 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 13 ## Page 42 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 5a. How would you grade Judge Maes on managing cases efficiently and with minimal delay? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 56% 57% 56% B 22% 21% 22% C 8% 8% 8% D 2% 3% 3% Fail 2% 2% 2% No Grade 10% 9% 9% Average Grade 3.4 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 14 ## Page 43 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 5b. How would you grade Judge Maes on starting court on time? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 56% 59% 57% B 24% 22% 23% C 8% 8% 9% D 4% 3% 3% Fail 2% 2% 2% No Grade 6% 6% 6% Average Grade 3.4 3.4 3.4 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 15 ## Page 44 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 5c. How would you grade Judge Maes on being prepared for cases? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 63% 66% 64% B 19% 17% 18% C 6% 5% 6% D 2% 1% 2% Fail 1% 2% 2% No Grade 9% 9% 9% Average Grade 3.6 3.6 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 16 ## Page 45 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 6a. How would you grade Judge Maes on considering all information presented when making a decision? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 61% 63% 62% B 21% 15% 16% C 5% 5% 5% D 2% 2% 2% Fail 3% 3% 4% No Grade 9% 11% 11% Average Grade 3.5 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 17 ## Page 46 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 6b. How would you grade Judge Maes on having knowledge of the rules of evidence, procedure and the law? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 64% 69% 67% B 19% 14% 16% C 4% 4% 5% D 1% 1% 2% Fail 1% 2% 2% No Grade 10% 10% 10% Average Grade 3.6 3.6 3.6 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 18 ## Page 47 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 6c. How would you grade Judge Maes on deciding important matters in a timely way? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 59% 64% 62% B 21% 17% 18% C 5% 5% 6% D 2% 2% 2% Fail 2% 2% 2% No Grade 12% 10% 10% Average Grade 3.5 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 19 ## Page 48 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 6d. How would you grade Judge Maes on making decisions without regard to public criticism? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 A 55% 57% 55% B 17% 13% 14% C 4% 4% 5% D 1% 2% 2% Fail 2% 2% 3% No Grade 20% 22% 22% Average Grade 3.5 3.5 3.5 Letter Grade B+ B+ B+ Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 Page 20 ## Page 49 Judge C. Dennis Maes Non-Attorney Survey 7. Do you recommend that Judge Maes be retained in office or not be retained in office? Judge All District All Trial Maes Judges 2002 Judges 2002 Retain in office 86% 85% 83% Do not retain in office 7% 7% 8% No opinion 6% 8% 9% Judicial Performance Survey 2002 Judicial District 10 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 C. Dennis Maes Survey Disposition Report Total Refusals & Undeliv- Other Response Sent Completes Nonresponse erables Response Rate District Attorney 9 8 1 88.9% Attorney For Defendant 25 18 6 1 75.0% Attorney for Plaintiff 13 6 5 2 54.5% Guardian ad Litem 1 1 100.0% Unknown Attorney Type Sub Total: 48 33 12 3 73.3% Law Enforcement 185 85 61 19 20 58.2% Social Services Caseworker 4 1 3 25.0% Employee 6 3 2 1 60.0% Defendant 138 20 69 45 4 22.5% Plaintiff 9 2 3 2 2 40.0% Juror 113 56 41 8 8 57.7% Victim 121 14 71 31 5 16.5% Other 40 10 23 6 1 30.3% Sub Total: 616 191 273 111 41 41.2% Total: 664 224 285 111 44 44.0% 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 10
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
- 2008 evaluation on OJPE · scraped Apr 17, 2026
- 2002 evaluation on OJPE · scraped Apr 17, 2026
- 1996 evaluation on OJPE · scraped Apr 17, 2026
- 1990 evaluation on OJPE · scraped Apr 17, 2026