Fifteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Michael J. Davidson
Retention Year: 2024
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standards
Reports:
2024 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2021 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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Fifteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously voted 6-0, with two commissioners absent and two vacancies, finds that Judge Michael J. Davidson MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS and unanimously recommends him for retention. The Colorado statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.
The Commission relied on several sources of information to make its determination that Judge Davidson meets performance standards. The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Davidson, reviewed his written opinions, observed him in court, and interviewed representatives from the Public Defender’s office and the District Attorney’s office. The Commission also reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had the opportunity to interact with Judge Davidson. 100% of all attorneys surveyed opined that Judge Davidson met performance standards. Of the non-attorneys surveyed, 69% stated that Judge Davidson met performance standards, 15% stated that he did not meet performance standards, and 15% had no opinion. The survey also asked questions about each of the statutory performance standards, and Judge Davidson scored consistently higher in each category than other district court judges.
Judge Davidson presides over civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and criminal matters in the Fifteenth Judicial District. Judge Davidson has excellent command of the courtroom and docket control. He consistently displays a calm temperament and respectful demeanor. Further, he has demonstrated an exceptional ability to understand and apply the law. His rulings, both written and oral, are thorough, articulate, and well-reasoned. However, as it relates to certain low-level offenses, the bond schedule he uses could use updating to reflect recent changes in law. Finally, he has demonstrated service to the legal profession and public through community outreach in his district. Specifically, he is working to get a mock trial program started at the local high school to make the legal profession more accessible to youth in his district.
Judge Davidson obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado in 1991 and his law degree from Texas Southern University in 1995. Prior to his appointment to the bench in 2015, Judge Davidson was a prosecutor in the 15th Judicial District (1997-2009) and an attorney in private practice focusing on criminal defense and family law (2009-2015). Judge Davidson has two adult children and lives in Lamar with his wife.