Eleventh Judicial District - Chaffee County Court Judge
Honorable William P. Alderton
Retention Year: 2012
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2012 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2011 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
2009 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Eleventh Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends by a vote of 8-0 that Judge William P. Alderton BE RETAINED. Two members were absent.
Judge Alderton earned his undergraduate degree from Whitman College in 1971 and his law degree from Creighton Law School in 1974. He worked for the District Attorney’s offices in Cortez and Salida, and then had a full-time private practice before being appointed to the bench in 1990. Judge Alderton is a part-time County Judge; he also currently has a part-time private practice. Judge Alderton’s volunteer work includes participating in drug awareness programs at local high schools.
Judge Alderton’s overall judicial performance, as assessed by survey results, public comments, and courtroom observation, is above average. The attorney surveys credited Judge Alderton with above-average ratings, as compared with other county court retention judges, in all areas surveyed: case management, application and knowledge of law, communication, demeanor, and diligence. These survey results, along with conclusions drawn from courtroom observations, support the view that Judge Alderton has a solid knowledge and application of the law, ensures that parties understand the proceedings and treats parties with respect. The non-attorney surveys rated Judge Alderton less favorably than other county court retention judges in the area of perceived bias in favor of the prosecution. Judge Alderton explained to the satisfaction of the Commission that he has a large criminal docket and that criminal defendants, who may not have a neutral perspective on the issue of bias, may be disproportionately represented in the non-attorney survey results. Judge Alderton indicated that his caseload has decreased by 50% since 2008, which has allowed him to devote more time to the cases before him. Courtroom observations
confirmed that Judge Alderton is extremely patient, particularly with unrepresented parties, and that he is very comfortable in his courtroom. Judge Alderton is credited with helping to initiate a DUI court in Chaffee County approximately one year ago.
Of all of the attorneys surveyed about retention, 87% recommended to retain, 11% not to retain and 3% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not to retain, 89% recommended to retain and 11% not to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 57% recommended to retain, 30% not to retain, and 12% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not to retain, 65% recommended to retain and 35% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)