Second Judicial District - Denver County Court Judge
Honorable Johnny Charles Barajas
Retention Year: 2006
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Johnny Charles Barajas BE RETAINED.
Judge Barajas was appointed to the Denver County Court bench in October of 2002. Prior to his appointment, he was a Magistrate in the Denver Night Traffic Court, and previous to that, he was a Magistrate in the Domestic Relations and Juvenile Courts in Adams County. He received his law degree from the University of Denver School of Law in 1984. He then practiced law with Legal Aid and two Denver law firms, followed by five years of private practice. Judge Barajas parents and grandparents are from the coal camp region of Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. He was raised in Southern Colorado.
Judge Barajas docket consists of 50% juvenile, 35%, criminal, and 15% traffic cases. He started and now conducts a Special Services Court for juveniles with mental health problems, who do not respond to regular probation procedures. He strives to make sure that all persons appearing before him understand the law and the reasons for his rulings, both written and oral. Also, Judge Barajas has worked in local truancy prevention and has participated in Spanish language immersion programs.
The Commission reviewed results of a Performance Survey as completed by both attorneys and non-attorneys who have been in his courtroom over the past two years. Survey responses were tabulated and summarized on Judge Barajas’ case management, knowledge and application of the law, communications, demeanor, diligence and fairness. Comments from those responding were reported verbatim in the reports. Also the Commission used his written self evaluation and conducted a personal interview in reaching the recommendation.
Of the attorneys returning the surveys, 100% favored retention and of the non-attorneys, 90% favored the retention of Judge Barajas. He received average and above ratings on all areas surveyed. Verbatim comments from attorneys and non-attorneys, including law enforcement personnel, defendants, court staff, jurors and witnesses praised his fairness and considered him to be a Judge worthy of respect and retention.