Fifteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Norman L. Arends
Retention Year: 1990
Recommendation: Retain
Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained.
Judge Arends is the 15th Judicial District’s Chief Judge. He was appointed to the District Court in 1987. He served as a county judge for the Cheyenne County Court from 1982-1987. After graduating from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1966, he had a private practice in Cheyenne Wells for 19 years during the years of 1967-1986.
Arends had presided over criminal, civil, juvenile, mental health, probate and domestic relations cases. The evaluations of Judge Arends contained very high recommendations from the attorneys, jurors, probation/social services and law enforcement.
Based upon survey information, Arends’ decisions were found to be viewed as clear and thorough and to display knowledge of the law. A common concern regarding the district courtroom is the inability to hear adequately. This is more a characteristic of the building rather than a particular judge.
Arends was seen by law enforcement to be “fair in both sentencing and in his hearing of cases.” In criminal matters, “Judge Arends is a credit to the bench in the 15th Judicial. He is profoundly dignified, fair and impartial.”