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State Courts Serving Colorado

Our Courts. State Courts Serving Colorado . Our State Courts are Busy. Cases Filed—FY 2007 551,197 in County Courts 189,235 in District Courts 2,548 in the Court of Appeals 1,534 in the Supreme Court 744,514 Total State Cases. How we decide who should serve as a judge.

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State Courts Serving Colorado

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  1. Our Courts State Courts Serving Colorado

  2. Our State Courts are Busy Cases Filed—FY 2007 551,197 in County Courts 189,235 in District Courts 2,548 in the Court of Appeals 1,534 in the Supreme Court 744,514 Total State Cases

  3. How we decide who should serve as a judge Adams County Courthouse

  4. Colorado is one of 25 states that uses nominating commissions as part of the judicial selection process.

  5. These states appoint judges based on comprehensive reviews of applicants’ backgrounds & qualifications.

  6. History ofMerit Selection in Colorado 1940 - Bar Committee on Judicial Selection 1949 - Recommendations to Legislature 1954 - Denver v. Colo. Water Conservancy 1958 - Legislative Council 1963 - Meeting of 100 Leaders 1966 - Amendment 3

  7. Nominating CommissionsCounty and District Courts 1 commission in each of 22 judicial districts Governor Governor Attorney General 4 Non Lawyers 3 Lawyers Not more than 4 from same political party. Chief Justice

  8. Nominating Commission Considers the Applications Reviews the applications Checks each applicant’s references & reputation

  9. Interviews theTrial Court Applicants County & District Courts Non-voting chair, Assoc. Justice

  10. Nominating CommissionSupreme Court & Court of Appeals Governor Governor Attorney General +1 at-large 8 Non Lawyers 7Lawyers Chief Justice Not more than 8 from same political party.

  11. Interviews the Appellate Court Applicants Court of Appeals & Supreme Court Non-voting chair, Chief Justice

  12. The commission nominates at least two, and not more than three applicants, whose names are sent to the Governor

  13. Governor’s Office Checks state and federal agency records to ensure no violations of law. Solicits and receives information about each applicant. Typically interviews each applicant. Appoints one.

  14. Initial Term of State Judges All state court judges must serve a provisional term of two years. The voters then decide whether the judge or justice continues to serve.

  15. How we keep our courts fair & impartial Cheyenne County Courthouse

  16. Enforcing Rules of Conduct Judicial Disciplinary Commission Governor appoints Chief Justice appoints 4 Non Lawyers 2 District Court Judges 2 Lawyers 2 County Court Judges State Senate confirms

  17. How we decide whethera judge should continue to serve Costilla County Courthouse The oldest courthouse still in use in Colorado

  18. Judicial Performance CommissionReviews the Performance of Every Judge 2 Non Lawyers 2 Non Lawyers 1 Lawyer 1 Lawyer Governor appoints Chief Justice appoints 1 Non Lawyer 1 Non Lawyer 1 Lawyer 1 Lawyer Senate President appoints House Speaker appoints 1 commission in each of 22 judicial districts 1 statewide commission for court of appeals and supreme court

  19. Select the best to serve as judges. Nominating Commissions select the best to serve. Ensure that judges conduct proceedings fairly & apply the Rule of Law Appellate courts review trial court decisions. Our Courts Ensure that Judges are fair & impartial Judges are required to disclose their personal finances and to recuse. Ensure Compliance with Judicial Code of Conduct Disciplinary Commission enforces conduct & performance standards.

  20. Voters decide whether each judge should continue to serve. Performance Commissions review the performance of all judges.

  21. Our Courts Serving Colorado Serving Justice

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