Eighteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Michael L. Bieda
Retention Year: 1994
Recommendation: Do Not Retain
Judge Michael L. Bieda is a District Court Judge for Arapahoe County. He received his law degree from the University of Colorado in 1975, and was admitted to the Colorado Bar. He was appointed to the Eighteenth Judicial District Bench in 1992. He is currently serving in the Criminal Division, having spent his initial two years as a judge in the Domestic Division.
The Commission reviewed surveys and personally interviewed representatives from the criminal justice system. Most responses indicated that Judge Bieda has a poor courtroom demeanor, is arrogant, and has angry outbursts toward lawyers and parties. Judge Bieda received low ratings in his sensitivity toward witnesses and jurors. There are also responses that indicate that Judge Bieda is “unfair” in his treatment of women in his courtroom. The Commission is concerned that Judge Bieda’s hostile courtroom behavior has not improved over time nor has it changed with his transfer from the Domestic Division to the Criminal Division. Responses indicate that Judge Bieda has demonstrated an unwillingness to become proficient in his management of his criminal docket, and the handling of criminal cases. An additional concern to the Commission is the number of complaints alleging that Judge Bieda appears unprepared in his handling of criminal matters.
The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Michael L. Bieda SHOULD NOT BE RETAINED.