Twelfth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Martin A. Gonzales
Retention Year: 2010
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Twelfth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Martin A. Gonzales BE RETAINED.
Judge Gonzales has served as a Twelfth Judicial District Judge since August 7, 2007. Judge Gonzales is a 1975 graduate of the University of Colorado. He received his law degree from the University of Colorado in 1978 and was admitted to the Colorado Bar that same year. Judge Gonzales displays a penchant for self-development through continued education and learning. Judge Gonzales was appointed to the bench as an Alamosa County Court Judge on January 9, 2001 where he served in that capacity until his appointment as a Twelfth Judicial District Judge. Prior to his appointment to the Alamosa County bench, Judge Gonzales served as a Magistrate, appointed on January 1, 1997. Judge Gonzales has shown a community interest in assisting where his efforts are focused on the betterment of youth, and youth activities, throughout the San Luis Valley.
As a district judge, Judge Gonzales presides over all district probate cases, dependency and neglect cases, juvenile cases, civil cases over $15,000, and criminal cases. The sheer numbers of these cases result in a majority of all open cases in the District. The Commission is most encouraged by the judge’s command and use of current computer technologies as a management and mentoring tool creating a much more efficient judicial process. The Commission however has some concern that the push for judicial efficiency is at times at the cost of a proper balance of respect for the practicing bar and the Twelfth Judicial District.
Judge Gonzales was in private practice in the San Luis Valley from 1978 until his appointment to the Alamosa County bench. He has shown a loyal commitment to the area
and is received favorably by the community he serves. Judge Gonzales brings more than 25 years of legal experience, a commitment to hard work, the utmost level of integrity, and a demonstrated capacity for getting the job done in his position. It is encouraged that Judge Gonzales exercise patience, flexibility and a calm demeanor in an attempt to maintain judicial temperament, balance and proper courtroom decorum.
It should be noted that Judge Gonzales has worked, and continues to work, within very tight budgetary constraints. Judge Gonzales has no support personnel and personally describes his work as “just me and my computer”. He does all of his own research and legal writings for his incredibly high assigned docket, 360 cases. Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 91% recommended to retain, 0% not to retain and 9% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 100% recommended to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 69% recommended to retain, 16% not to retain, and 14% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 81% recommended to retain and 19% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.) Judge Gonzales’ overall combined rating was a 3.26 on a 4.00 scale. Judge Gonzales views community service as being extremely important and has been very active in a wide variety of programs, even starting some, for many years. He has been recognized at both the local and the state level for his contribution, and currently serves on a number of local boards.