Second Judicial District - Denver County Court Judge
Honorable Doris E. Burd
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Doris E. Burd BE RETAINED.
Judge Burd was appointed to the Denver County Court bench in January 1989. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Burd practiced for two years with the Legal Aid Society and then engaged in private practice in Denver, specializing in family, juvenile, child custody, probate and some criminal law. Judge Burd received her law degree from Temple University School of Law in 1975. Judge Burd presently hears felony preliminary hearings. She has also served in traffic court, civil court, state criminal court, municipal criminal court and protective orders court during the last eleven years.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Burd from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Burd and conducted a personal interview with Judge Burd.
Judge Burd considers herself privileged to serve as a County Court Judge and considers herself to be a public servant. She has striven to achieve the highest judicial standards throughout her tenure on the bench. She believes that it is vital for a judge to be aware of the dynamics of the community and is therefore very involved in the community, while being careful to render decisions regardless of public appeal or clamor. She participated as a member of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Council, volunteers in a tree-planting program, and volunteers at several schools where she speaks to students about the judiciary and works with the schools on various projects. She also volunteers for mock trials for high school students and encourages student groups to observe the court proceedings. Judge Burd participated in the establishment of the Denver Courthouse Child Day Care Center. She received the Judicial Excellence Award from the Denver Bar Association in 1996. Judge Burd's judicial philosophy includes being fair and impartial, efficient, and knowledgeable of the law, procedures and evidence; listening carefully; being clear and precise in her communications; treating all parties with courtesy and respect; and humanizing the system. For recreation, Judge Burd enjoys hiking, reading and working with students.
Judge Burd received high ratings from both attorneys and non-attorneys in virtually every category, particularly in the areas of being courteous; treating all parties equally; communicating clearly, thoroughly and in a well-reasoned manner; maintaining proper judicial temperament; correctly applying the law; and performing with diligence, efficiency and minimal delay. Of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 95% recommended that Judge Burd be retained in office, 0% recommended that she not be retained, and 5% had no opinion. Of the non-attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 85% recommended retention, 4% recommended non-retention, and 10% had no opinion.