Second Judicial District - Denver County Court Judge
Honorable Andrew S. Armatas
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Andrew S. Armatas BE RETAINED.
Judge Armatas was appointed to the Denver County Court bench in February 1990. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Armatas was in private practice in Denver, specializing in business, family and immigration law. Judge Armatas received his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and graduated from the University of Denver College of Law in 1965. Judge Armatas presently presides in the General Sessions division, where he hears primarily domestic violence matters. He conducts on average approximately one and one-half jury trials every week. He has also served in traffic court, juvenile court, environmental court, and criminal advisements court, where he heard felony first and second advisements and cases involving municipal ordinance violations. For three years, he served as the presiding judge of the Denver County Court.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Armatas from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Armatas and conducted a personal interview with Judge Armatas.
Judge Armatas understands how important even small cases are to the litigants. He is aware that conviction for a domestic violence offense can lead to severe immigration consequences for non-citizens and, therefore, tries to make certain that the parties understand the possible outcomes of pleading guilty. Judge Armatas believes judges should be active in the community. He often speaks to all the citizens who appear for jury duty. He has worked with other agencies to establish a number of programs, including a graffiti removal program for offenders; a juvenile offender work program which permits work as an alternative to fines and costs; a juvenile curfew program; the Safe Nite Program; the Domestic Violence Task Force; and the Denver Warm Welcome Court Child Care Center. Judge Armatas' judicial philosophy includes being practical and using common sense; listening attentively and being fair and impartial to everyone; being courteous; and remembering the "golden rule."
Judge Armatas received high ratings from both attorneys and non-attorneys in virtually every category, particularly in the areas of being courteous; treating all parties equally; communicating clearly, thoroughly and in a well-reasoned manner; maintaining proper judicial temperament; correctly applying the law; and performing with diligence, efficiency and minimal delay. Of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 82% recommended that Judge Armatas be retained in office, 0% recommended that he not be retained, and 18% had no opinion. Of the non-attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 72% recommended retention, 9% recommended non-retention, and 19% had no opinion.