Casias, Edward 2020 Evaluation

Reports:
2020 Retention Survey Report
2019 Interim Survey Report

The Fifth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (10-0) agrees that Summit County Court Judge Edward Jude Casias MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS based on the following judicial performance criteria: Integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.

Judge Casias works in the Summit County Court located in Breckenridge, Colorado.  Judge Casias handles traffic, misdemeanor, and restraining order cases, accepts guilty pleas on class 4, 5, and 6 felonies and handles preliminary hearings for felony level cases.  He also handles civil matters where the amount in controversy is less than $25,000, including small claims.  Judge Casias is perceived as being patient, compassionate, caring, and treats parties with dignity and concern for the circumstances that have brought them to court.  Judge Casias consistently addresses each litigant on a personal level and shows empathy and understanding for those appearing before him.  Despite taking time to interact with each person appearing before him, Judge Casias nevertheless maintains effective control over his docket.  Judge Casias is highly valued by both attorneys and non-attorneys for his integrity and performance on the bench.  His survey results in all areas, including his overall rating, were higher than the average of all county court judges in the State of Colorado.  One area noted in the survey comments suggests that Judge Casias should continue to focus on issuing clear and consistent rulings in civil matters, relying upon applicable legal precedent.  Judge Casias exceeds all judicial performance requirements and the comments received were overwhelmingly positive.

In its evaluation of Judge Casias, the Commission utilized survey results and comments from attorneys and non-attorneys, performance data, a self-evaluation, sample court orders, courtroom observations, input from the Chief Judge, District Attorney and Public Defender, and a personal interview with the Judge.  The Commission finds that Judge Casias meets performance standards in all areas. Ninety-six percent of 26 attorneys responding to the survey and 100% of the one non-attorney responding to the survey concluded that Judge Casias meets performance standards, and many did so enthusiastically.

Judge Casias is a Denver native and attended Manual High School.  He received his undergraduate degree from Colorado College and his law degree from The Ohio State University.  Prior to taking the bench, he was the Assistant District Attorney for the Fifth Judicial District.  Judge Casias has served on community boards including: Summit County Head Start, Summit County Youth Baseball, 10th Mountain Lacrosse, Summit County Community Care Clinic, and The Summit Foundation.  Judge Casias enjoys all the outdoor opportunities that Summit County offers, and he cherishes time with his wife and sons.