Eighth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Joseph Dean Findley
Retention Year: 2024
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standards
Reports:
2024 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2023 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Eighth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by a vote of 10-0, agrees that Judge Joseph Dean Findley MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Findley is a relatively new judicial officer. Judge Findley has demonstrated his commitment to working hard and utilizing various resources to increase his knowledge of all areas of the law. He is proactive in developing good habits and administrative efficiencies. Judge Findley treats all parties with kindness and respect. He is fair, patient, well-prepared, and diligent. His oral and written communications are thoughtful, clear, and understandable. The Commission notes that he embraces the use of technology in his courtroom to improve access to justice, which the Commission finds to be effective. In 2023, Judge Findley handled a mixed docket consisting of civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and mental health. He transitioned in early 2024 to include a criminal docket.
The Commission personally interviewed Judge Findley, observed him in court (both in person and virtually), analyzed judicial performance survey data, reviewed a sample of written orders, considered written comments from attorneys and non-attorneys, and reviewed his self-evaluation. In addition, the Commission received comments from representatives of the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office. A total of 30 individuals, 22 attorneys and eight non-attorneys, believed they had sufficient knowledge to assess whether Judge Findley meets performance standards. When asked whether Judge Findley meets performance standards: Of the attorneys responding to the survey, 21 answered yes and one answered no. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, four answered yes, three answered no, and one expressed no opinion. His overall performance score based on a total of 31 responses is 3.2 out of 4 for all performance categories combined (case management, application and knowledge of law, communications, diligence, demeanor, and fairness). Given significantly low response rates to the surveys overall, the Commission gave the appropriate weight to the survey responses in its evaluation. Three appellate judges expressed sufficient knowledge of Judge Findley’s performance and rated him 4 out of 4.
Judge Findley received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism with honors (News Editorial) and a Bachelor of Art in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1999. He graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 2005. Until he joined the bench in 2021, he practiced probate, estate planning, guardianships, and conservatorships. He also served as Deputy Public Administrator and Public Administrator.