Sixteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Robert E. Blackburn
Retention Year: 1996
Recommendation: Retain
The 16th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Robert E. Blackburn BE RETAINED.
Judge Blackburn was appointed to the District Court bench in 1988 after practicing law in his home out of Las Animas. Judge Blackburn hears all matters with jurisdiction in the District Court, which includes juvenile, criminal, civil and domestic relations cases.
Questionnaires received by the commission rate Judge Blackburn highly overall, with particularly high ratings in his knowledge of the law, evidence and procedure. A total of 47 responses were received from attorneys, litigants, law enforcement officials, court personnel and jurors who had contact with Judge Blackburn. Of the responding groups, 87% voted to retain Judge Blackburn, 2% had no opinion, and 10% voted not to retain Judge Blackburn.
Judge Blackburn is concerned about the growing problem of juvenile interaction with the courts and the ramifications this has upon the judicial system and society as a whole. Judge Blackburn is also concerned about the lagging resources provided to the judicial system while demands placed on the system continue to grow. Based upon the information supplied to the Commission, which included an interview of Judge Blackburn, he is a knowledgeable and well prepared jurist.