Fourteenth Judicial District - Routt County Court Judge
Honorable James H. Garrecht
Retention Year: 2010
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Fourteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge James H. Garrecht BE RETAINED.
Background: Judge James H. Garrecht was appointed to the Routt County Court in 1987. Before his appointment, Judge Garrecht was a Deputy District Attorney in the Fifteenth Judicial District in 1979, a Deputy District Attorney in the Fourteenth Judicial District from 1980 to 1982 and in private practice from 1982 to 1987 with focus on domestic and criminal cases. Judge Garrecht graduated in 1972 from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado and obtained his Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell Law School located in Minnesota in 1979. Judge Garrecht currently hears all county court cases, which includes civil, traffic infractions, traffic offenses, misdemeanors, felony advisements and preliminary hearings.
Evaluation: The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Garrecht from attorneys and non-attorneys, including verbatim comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires. The Commission also considered a self-evaluation, orders and opinions written by Judge Garrecht. Finally, members of the Commission personally observed Judge Garrecht in his courtroom and conducted a face-to-face interview.
Judge Garrecht handles a high volume of cases in county court and demonstrates an ability to keep cases moving forward in a timely manner. The surveys indicate that Judge Garrecht has the ability to relate to both attorneys and non-attorneys in the courtroom in a cordial and friendly manner. Overall the survey results show he is fair and efficient. Judge Garrecht is consistent in his sentences and rulings, reflecting a fair application of the law. The Commission recommends based on courtroom observation that the court should return to a more formal standard with a focus on decorum.
Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 87% recommended to retain, 8% not to retain, and 5% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 92% recommended to retain and 8% not to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 78% recommended to retain, 8% not to retain, and 13% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 90% recommended to retain and 9% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)