Second Judicial District - Denver County Court Judge
Honorable Larry L. Bohning
Retention Year: 2010
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Larry L. Bohning BE RETAINED.
Judge Bohning was appointed to the bench in 1980. A graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University with a degree in English and psychology and the University Of South Dakota School Of Law, Judge Bohning worked as a Staff Attorney for the Colorado General Assembly and as Assistant County Attorney for the City and County of Denver prior to his appointment to the bench.
Judge Bohning is involved in several community activities: Community College of Denver Foundation, the board of the Rotary Club of Denver, the Board of Governors of the Colorado Bar Association, committees of the Denver Bar and Colorado Bar Associations, a volunteer judge in moot court competitions as well as speaking engagements before numerous community groups. Judge Bohning also addresses prospective jurors when they report for jury duty. Judge Bohning’s current assignment is county misdemeanor court as well as a new mental health court. Supported by a grant, the Mental Health Court provides supervision to citizens with mental health issues organizing treatment, housing and jobs. Like the Drug Court, the Mental Health Court addresses significant problems, provides meaningful solutions, and keeps citizens in the program out of jail. Commissioners were gratified to see that a judge who has served for 30 years continues to be innovative and receive high survey scores.
The Commission reviewed the results of surveys of lawyers, non-lawyers and appellate judges who were familiar with Judge Bohning’s work, interviewed him and reviewed three of his written opinions. In addition, selected members of the Commission observed Judge Bohning in court.
Survey results from lawyers and non-lawyers indicate that those who appear before him find Judge Bohning to be above average of all county judges in all areas of review: case
management, application of the law, communications, demeanor, diligence, and fairness. Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 87% recommended to retain, 10% not to retain, and 2% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 91% recommended to retain and 10% not to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 87% recommended to retain, 5% not to retain, and 9% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 95% recommended to retain and 5% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)