Eleventh Judicial District - Chaffee County Court Judge
Honorable William P. Alderton
Retention Year: 2008
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
Need an accessible PDF Document version?
Please click on the link below and email our staff
The Eleventh Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends by a unanimous vote that Judge William P. Alderton BE RETAINED.
Judge Alderton was appointed to the County Court in July of1990. His position is part-time, currently at 90%, and he maintains a private legal practice. Public testimony attests to Judge Alderton's commitments to the youth in the surrounding community and time given by him to speaking in school settings. Judge Alderton's expertise is in criminal law and municipal law. He hears cases concerned with traffic issues, criminal misdemeanors, general civil law, and small claims matters. Additionally, he has heard cases involving family law and juvenile matters. Judge Alderton has worked to be fully informed of changes in juvenile law and to maintain a strong commitment to continuing education in all aspects of the law. He is committed to maintaining a court that supports a fair and just hearing for all litigants.
The attorney surveys credited Judge Alderton with a strong knowledge and application of the law and in being careful to ensure that all parties understand the proceedings. Positive public testimony and court observation supported the view that he works to ensure that all parties understand sufficiently the court's proceedings. The non-attorney surveys indicated a less than average evaluation of issues related to Judge Alderton's demeanor and fairness. The attorney surveys did not reflect the same perception as the non-attorney surveys regarding the judge’s demeanor and fairness. The Commission believes any concerns regarding demeanor and fairness do not rise to a level that would warrant a recommendation of non-retention.
The Commission believes Judge Alderton makes himself accessible to and available for the varied demands put upon him as a judge. The Commission concludes that Judge Alderton knows his responsibility as a judge and seeks to fulfill it. When all aspects of Judge Alderton’s performance are considered, including public comments, his interview with the Commission, the surveys, and observations by the Commissioners, his overall performance supports this Commission’s recommendation for retention.
Of the attorneys surveyed, 85% recommended that he be retained, while only15% recommended he not be retained. Similarly, 75% of non-attorney survey respondents recommended retention, while only 25% recommended that he not be retained