Seventh Judicial District - Montrose County Court Judge
Honorable John C. Davidson
Retention Year: 1996
Recommendation: Retain
The Seventh Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Davidson BE RETAINED for another four years as Associate County Judge for Montrose County.
Judge John C. Davidson enjoys widespread support from people who he encounters. He has done an excellent job in a small community, where conflicts can easily arise because of close personal associations. He has a great understanding of, and appreciation for, the community which he works.
Attorneys recommended him highly for having a good grasp of both substantive and procedural law, and for treating everyone fairly. He is patient and understanding with those who come before him, and makes an extra effort to explain the case and his decisions to the parties. Everyone, winners and losers alike, leaves his courtroom feeling they were treated fairly and had their day in court.
Judge Davidson, though not a lawyer, attended law school and stays abreast of the law by reading about current cases. He truly enjoys public service and being a County Judge. He strongly believes in plea agreements, as they permit defendant to plead guilty, take responsibility for their actions and provides restitution to those whom they have wronged. He prefers probation to jail whenever possible, and attempts to educate people who come before him about the legal system, since many of them are uninformed about legal proceedings.
As a County Judge, his docket includes criminal misdemeanors, petty offenses, and traffic offenses. He also presides over small claims and County Civil Court matters.
Judge Davidson received a BA degree in 1963 from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, then attended Washburn University School of Law and San Diego School of Law. Previously, he was employed as a caseworker in the Social Services Department of Montrose and Garfield Counties, and was a teacher in Kansas City, Kansas.
Judge Davidson used to raise Limousin Cattle on his ranch in Nucla. He served as a Board Member and Consultant to the San Miguel Guest Ranch, a combination safe house and half-way house that is a member of the Montrose County Placement Alternatives Commission.