First Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Margie L. Enquist
Retention Year: 2008
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously and strongly recommends that Judge Margie L. Enquist BE RETAINED.
Background: Judge Enquist was appointed to the First Judicial District Court bench in October, 2004. This is Judge Enquist’s first performance review since her appointment to the bench. Before her appointment, Judge Enquist was a Deputy District Attorney in the First Judicial District. Judge Enquist is active in the local community. She serves as a judge in local moot court competitions, speaks regularly at various civic organizations, and participates in providing continuing legal education. She is also spearheading recycling initiatives for the district courts in Jefferson County.
Strengths: The attorney surveys that were returned showed that Judge Enquist is widely considered as compassionate, fair, and hard working. Her scores were on par when compared with all district court judges in the areas of case management, communication and demeanor. Non-attorney survey scores were equally consistent with those scores for all district court judges, with a higher rating in the area of fairness. Comments from non-attorneys describe Judge Enquist as fair, polite, and unbiased. Although relatively new to the bench, 92% of the attorneys surveyed recommend that Judge Enquist be retained. Eighty-seven percent of the non-attorneys surveyed recommend that Judge Enquist be retained.
Weaknesses: In several comments from attorneys and non-attorneys alike, Judge Enquist was criticized for being too soft spoken, and at times failing to exercise more control over parties in her courtroom. Some attorneys and non-attorneys claim to detect a bias in favor of the prosecution in criminal cases. Judge Enquist’s knowledge in the areas of civil and domestic relations law is less developed than in the area of criminal law. She is committed to increasing the breadth and depth of her legal knowledge in all areas, with a focus on civil and domestic relations law. She is keenly aware that, given her background as a prosecutor, she must work to avoid any perception of bias in favor of the prosecution in criminal cases.
Recommendation: The Commission was favorably impressed with Judge Enquist during her interview and with her survey results. It is clear that Judge Enquist appropriately views herself as a public servant who is charged with applying the law in an impartial manner and ensuring that every litigant receives a fair hearing. Judge Enquist understands the areas in which improvement can be made and she is committed to doing so. Therefore, the Commission strongly recommends that Judge Margie L. Enquist BE RETAINED.