Armatas, Andrew 2004 Evaluation

Reports:

2004 Retention Survey Report

The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Andrew Armatas BE RETAINED.

Judge Armatas was appointed to the Denver County Court bench in February 1990. Prior to his appointment, Judge Armatas was in private practice in Denver, specializing in business, family, municipal 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 hears civil cases. Judge Armatas has also served in traffic court, juvenile court, environmental court, criminal advisement court, and general sessions. Judge Armatas previously served as presiding judge of the Denver County Court for three years.

Judge Armatas is committed to making sure everyone who appears before him understands the process and their rights and responsibilities, especially parties proceeding without attorneys. In his current assignment in the civil division, Judge Armatas has worked to make forms user friendly and understandable for everyone. Additionally, Judge Armatas has developed handouts to help parties maneuver through the process. Judge Armatas encourages parties to mediate their problems, but will provide them an opportunity to have their cases heard in a timely manner if they so choose.

Judge Armatas is also very active in the community. He has been active in establishing some very successful programs such as a graffiti removal program for juvenile offenders, juvenile offender work programs, a juvenile curfew program, the Domestic Violence Task Force, and the Denver Warm Welcome Court Child Care Center. Judge Armatas currently serves as a Board of Governors delegate to the Colorado Bar Association.

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 him.

Judge Armatas received high ratings from both attorneys and non-attorneys in virtually every category, particularly in the areas of case management, application and knowledge of the law, demeanor, and diligence. Of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 100% recommend that he be retained in office. Of the non-attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 93% recommend that he be retained in office, while 7% recommend that he not be retained in office.