Fourth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Linda Margaret Billings-Vela
Retention Year: 2024
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standards
Reports:
2024 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2021 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance voted 6-0 with three absent and one recusal that Judge Linda Margaret Billings-Vela MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Billings-Vela’s docket includes 50% juvenile (a mix of dependency and neglect, delinquency, adoption and paternity) and 50% criminal. She recently completed her term as the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge where in addition to her own docket she oversaw the administrative needs of supervising nine direct reports including five juvenile court magistrates. Judge Billings-Vela’s overall combined score on the 2024 Judicial Performance Survey was 3.1 out of 4.0. However, the Commission is concerned that the surveys are not helpful because of the very small number of responses in comparison to the number of surveys circulated. The 27 attorneys who did respond overwhelmingly stated that Judge Billings-Vela meets performance standards. Comments about Judge Billings-Vela stated that she is one of the most thorough judges on the bench when it comes to making a ruling, that she does her homework before a case, and that she diligently ensures that the victim’s voice is included where appropriate. She is clear in her communications and orders, and she has a great demeanor in court. She is fair and she knows the law well. The few negative comments state that she cuts off counsel before they have finished stating a position and that she can be temperamental and does not always manage her docket well.
The Commission interviewed Judge Billings-Vela and several members observed her in Court. The Commission reviewed her self-evaluation, written opinions, comments from attorneys and non-attorneys, and the judicial performance survey results from 2024. The Commission also spoke with the Chief Judge of the Fourth Judicial District and representatives of the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office. In the interview with Judge Billings-Vela, the Commission was impressed by her management of a very heavy caseload in juvenile court and her sensitivity to the demands of the juvenile justice systems as a system aimed at rehabilitation. She is aware of the comments about her appearing to be curt with counsel. She is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to state their position while balancing the need to move cases along efficiently. When appealed, her decisions have been affirmed by a large percentage. She has no disciplinary history. She has filed her financial disclosures on time.
Judge Billings-Vela was appointed to the Fourth Judicial District Court in July 2015. She served as the Teller County Court judge from 2011 until she was appointed to the District Court. She obtained her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Prior to her appointment she was an assistant District Attorney El Paso County and a magistrate in the Fourth Judicial District. She volunteers with Teen Court and Judicially Speaking and is on the advisory board of the Community Partnership Family Resource Center.