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Joseph J. Weatherby

Trial Court · Kit Carson · Kit Carson

Meets Standards(Retain)2 cycles on record

Evaluation history

  • 1998 retention cycle
    Trial Court · Kit Carson · Kit Carson
    Meets Standards(Retain)
    VotersRetained· 71.6% yes
    15,981 yes · 6,345 no50% needed to retain
    Retention Year: 1998 Recommendation: Retain The Thirteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends Judge Joseph J. Weatherby BE RETAINED. Judge Weatherby has been a District Judge since 1983. During his tenure he has been assigned several difficult civil and criminal matters. He has been in the position to render precedent-making decisions which have been upheld on appeal. Judge Weatherby's community service includes working with school children to give them practical demonstrations of court cases. He served for a number of years in the military service and the Colorado National Guard. By Governor's appointment, he has served twelve years with the Drug Control System Improvement Board, which has provided additional funding for crime prevention treatment facilities and law enforcement agencies, which has had a favorable impact on the Thirteenth Judicial District. The Commission makes particular note that a number of evaluations received suggested that Judge Weatherby has lacked a degree of judicial temperament and that his courtroom demeanor is sometimes rude, combative and arrogant. The Commission similarly notes that other evaluations identified Judge Weatherby as a "no nonsense Judge who is fair, firm, thorough, consistent and respected". The nature of some evaluations suggests that Judge Weatherby should improve his courtroom demeanor, and Judge Weatherby responded to the Commission with information that he is aware of these criticisms and submitted evidence demonstrating a willingness to improve in this area.
  • 1992 retention cycle
    Trial Court · Kit Carson · Kit Carson
    Meets Standards(Retain)
    VotersRetained· 64.1% yes
    15,677 yes · 8,789 no50% needed to retain
    Retention Year: 1992 Recommendation: Retain Judge Joseph J. Weatherby is a 1971 graduate of the University of Colorado and a 1973 graduate of Washburn University School of Law. He was appointed a district court judge in 1983. Opinions as to Judge Weatherby’s performance are varied, especially among surveyed attorneys. Some attorneys, especially defense counsel, criticized Judge Weatherby as being biased in favor of the prosecution and law enforcement. Other attorneys and some court personnel criticized Judge Weatherby’s oral and written decisions as being unclear. However, 68% of those attorneys expressing an opinion as to Judge Weatherby’s retention were in favor of his retention. Likewise, 100% of surveyed court personnel and law enforcement officers expressing an opinion were in favor of his retention. The Commission found Judge Weatherby to be a thoughtful judge who holds strong opinions. He, therefore, invitees criticism from those who have differing views. Judge Weatherby answered all the criticisms directed toward him, and the Commission is satisfied that he is a fair judge who admits some shortcomings, especially in the area of civil law, but is working to improve himself. The 13th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Joseph J. Weatherby be Retained.

Surveys & reports

No survey reports on record for this judge.

Sources