Eighteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Christopher Charles Cross
Retention Year: 2012
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2012 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2011 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
2009 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Christopher Charles Cross BE RETAINED.
Judge Cross received his undergraduate degree from Denison University in Granville, Ohio (1974) and his Juris Doctor from the University Of Denver College Of Law, Denver, Colorado (1979). He began his career serving as a law clerk while still in law school and then as a deputy district attorney in the Denver District Attorney’s Office. After working in private practice for fourteen years, dealing with criminal defense, personal injury, and complex commercial and securities litigation, he accepted an appointment as an Arapahoe County Court Judge, serving for twelve years in this capacity, working with civil and criminal cases. He has served as a District Judge for the last three years, dealing with felonies, civil, probate, domestic relations, and juvenile matters. Judge Cross has been more than willing to give of his time and talents to community and professional activities serving in the county and state bar associations, the Governor’s Community Corrections Advisory Council, assisting colleges with their programs, and serving with several community groups.
Judge Cross’ current assignment is in domestic relations in Douglas County where he has received some of the highest ratings of any district judge standing for retention, not only in the Eighteenth Judicial District, but in the State of Colorado. Many parties come to him without legal counsel, and he takes the time to make sure they are treated with respect and treated fairly. He is known as one of the most efficient judges in the Eighteenth Judicial District, with timely rulings, ensuring that all litigants have a good understanding of the law and what the disposition of the proceedings will bring. Attorneys and litigants all have a high degree of admiration for his courteous and professional demeanor in the courtroom.
The Commission conducted interviews with district attorneys, public defenders, law clerks, probation officers, the Chief Judge of the Eighteenth Judicial District, judges themselves, and other personnel involved in the courtroom. In addition, the Commissioners visited the judges’ courtrooms. Surveys submitted by the attorneys and others who have appeared before the Judge Cross were compiled and the results were reviewed.
Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 86% recommended to retain, 6% not to retain, and 8% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not to retain, 94% recommended to retain and 6% not to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 94% recommended to retain, 3% not to retain, and 3% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not to retain, 96% recommended to retain and 3% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.) We found Judge Cross to be worthy of retention, and as one of our Colorado Appellate Judges who has reviewed the Judge’s work has stated, “He is one of our best."