Second Judicial District - District - Probate Court Judge
Honorable Field C. Benton
Retention Year: 1990
Recommendation:Â Retain
Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained.
Judge Benton received his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado, majoring in English Literature. In 1951 he received his L.L.B. and in 1968 received his law degree from the University of Colorado.
He entered private law practice in 1951 in Denver and then served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 as an Army first lieutenant. He returned to Denver and had a law practice with Holland & Hart from 1954 to 1982, serving as a municipal judge from 1959 to 1961.
He has been a judge of Denver Probate Court since his appointment in April 1982. About one-third of the cases heard in his court involve mental health, while the remainder involve actions pertaining to will, trusts, guardianships and conservatorships.
Interviews and questionnaire responses received by the Judicial Performance Commission rated Benton very favorably with few exceptions. The great majority expressed positive opinions as to the professional manner and dedication with which Benton administers his court.