← All judges

Robert W. Ogburn

Trial Court · Alamosa · Alamosa

Meets Standards(Retain)2 cycles on record

Evaluation history

  • 1996 retention cycle
    Trial Court · Alamosa · Alamosa
    Meets Standards(Retain)
    VotersRetained· 78.3% yes
    11,492 yes · 3,192 no50% needed to retain
    Retention Year: 1996 Recommendation: Retain The Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Robert W. Ogburn BE RETAINED. Judge Ogburn was appointed to the 12th Judicial District in 1976 and is currently serving as the Chief Judge of the District. He also serves as the Water Judge for Division 3 and handles the administrative responsibilities for the entire 12th District court system. Judge Ogburn received from the University of Michigan and was admitted to practice law in Colorado in 1964. Previous legal experience for Judge Ogburn includes three years with the United States Army in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, 10 years of private practice and service as the District Attorney of the 12th Judicial District. In 1992, Judge Ogburn was one of the top three candidates for a Colorado Supreme Court nomination. Based on a personal interview and survey results, Judge Ogburn received overall high ratings. Attorneys found him to be knowledgeable in the law and clear in his oral and written decisions. Law enforcement rated the Judge very high in his fairness and sense of justice. The Courthouse personnel found him to be hard working and punctual, with firm courtroom control. Some surveys did note an occasional lace of compassion and courtesy in the courtroom. The Commission found Judge Ogburn to be a very dedicated civil servant who is sensitive to the various Valley communities that he serves. He is actively involved in Valley and State historical, civic, and law-related activities.
  • 1990 retention cycle
    Trial Court · Alamosa · Alamosa
    Meets Standards(Retain)
    VotersRetained· 79.7% yes
    10,036 yes · 2,550 no50% needed to retain
    Retention Year: 1990 Recommendation: Retain Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained. Judge Ogburn is the 12th Judicial District’s Chief Judge. He was appointed to the district court in 1976. He received his law degree from the University of Michigan and first practiced law in Illinois in 1962. He was admitted to the bar in Colorado in 1964. His previous legal experience includes three years with the U.S. Army, with the judge advocate general’s corps, private practice and service as deputy district attorney for the 12th Judicial District. Ogburn presides over criminal and civil cases, juvenile proceedings, domestic relations, probate cases, child custody matters, mental health inquires and appeals from county court. He also serves as water judge for Water Division 3. As chief judge, he also has administrative responsibilities. He is a circuit judge who sits in all six counties in the 12th Judicial District. His office is located in Rio Grande County. Ogburn generally received favorable ratings from all groups surveyed, including attorneys, litigants, jurors, probation and social services, law enforcement and court personnel. While Ogburn is generally perceived to be courteous, patient, punctual, diligent and dignified, some respondents expressed concern about what they perceived to be his arrogant manner in the courtroom. He was very popular with the court personnel who were surveyed. The attorneys who were surveyed rated Ogburn high in hi legal reasoning and knowledge of the law. He received special praise in his capacity as water judge. Although the majority of law enforcement respondents rated Ogburn favorably, some felt he was too critical of law enforcement officials in the courtroom. Some social workers felt Ogburn was too protective of parents’ rights. The committee found Ogburn to be a dedicated civil servant. He has served as faculty of various legal conferences, has been active in improving the judicial system and is very involved in community affairs.

Surveys & reports

No survey reports on record for this judge.

Sources