Egelhoff, Martin 2020 Evaluation

Reports:
2020 Retention Survey Report
2017 Interim Survey Report

The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, on a vote of 10-0, unanimously finds that Judge Martin Foster Egelhoff MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

Judge Egelhoff currently presides over a civil docket in Denver District Court.  He presided over a criminal docket earlier in this 6-year term.  Judge Egelhoff received high scores from attorneys and non-attorneys for demeanor, diligence, and fairness.  Judge Egelhoff is described as an even-handed, fair jurist who efficiently manages his docket.  The Commission was pleased with Judge Egelhoff’s efforts to ensure that his courtroom remains free from impropriety and provides neutral and fair proceedings to all litigants before him.  The Commission discussed with Judge Egelhoff certain attorney survey responses that expressed negative comments concerning his courtroom demeanor.  Judge Egelhoff expressed concern as to those comments and explained his ongoing willingness, process, and efforts to improve in that area. The Commission notes that Judge Egelhoff did not receive this same feedback from non-attorneys.  The Commission appreciates Judge Egelhoff’s efforts to adapt to technological changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and his continued efforts to stay current on the law and other developments relevant to his courtroom. 

The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Egelhoff, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, and reviewed judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had interaction in Judge Egelhoff’s court.  Among the survey questions was “based on your responses to the previous questions related to the performance evaluation criteria, do you think Judge Egelhoff meets judicial performance standards?”  Of the 49 attorneys responding to the survey, 87% answered yes; 9% answered no; and 4% had no opinion.  Just 2 non-attorneys answered the survey, while they both said Judge Egelhoff meets judicial performance standards, the low number of results makes that portion of the survey statistically insignificant.  Judge Egelhoff’s survey results revealed an overall combined average consistent with the averaged combined rating of all District Court judges standing for retention. In every category covered in the surveys, Judge Egelhoff scored at or slightly above other district court judges standing for retention in this cycle. 

Judge Egelhoff was appointed to the District Court in July 1999.  He graduated from Colorado State University and from the University of Colorado School of Law.  Judge Egelhoff worked as a Chief Deputy Denver District Attorney before he was appointed to the bench.  Judge Egelhoff also participates in community service activities.  He is a sitting member of the Colorado Supreme Court’s Rules of Evidence, Pattern Criminal Jury Instruction Committees, and the commissioners understand he has written materials for training other judges on trial procedures.