Seventeenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Frederick M. Goodbee
Retention Year: 2010
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Frederick M. Goodbee BE RETAINED.
Judge Frederick M. Goodbee was appointed to the Adams-Broomfield Judicial District Court July 17, 2008. Previously, Judge Goodbee was the Assistant District Attorney for Adams and Broomfield Counties, a position he held from 2005. Prior to this, he supervised the Criminal Justice Section as Deputy Attorney General at the Office of the Attorney General (2003-2005). Judge Goodbee served two terms (1997-2003) as District Attorney in the Fifth Judicial District; he also served as Deputy and Chief Deputy District Attorney in the same district (1991-1996). He practiced privately from1989-1991 and again from 1996-1997. Judge Goodbee received his B.A. from Colorado State University in 1985 and his Juris Doctorate from Tulane University in 1989.
Judge Goodbee has been assigned to domestic relations division since his appointment, and will be moving to criminal court in early summer 2010. The Commission reviewed professional survey results demonstrating strengths and weaknesses prior to any recommendation. The surveys indicate he is a knowledgeable and efficient jurist; and comments indicate he has excellent case management, is very courteous, objective and reasonable. Minimal comments were given to reflect weaknesses, the majority indicating “none”. He was observed in the courtroom and his written opinions were also taken into consideration in the evaluation process. The personal and extensive interviews with Judge Goodbee proved valuable and confirmed the Commission’s findings. Judge Goodbee has been committed to victim advocacy through many service organizations and served as director or chair on these boards. He’s often called upon as a guest speaker and currently serves as the judicial officer on the Crime Victim Services Advisory Board statewide committee reviewing alleged violations of crime victim’s bill of rights. Judge Goodbee believes that litigants deserve good faith efforts, due diligence, fairness, clarity, and courtesy from the court and his staff. Due to the environment of domestic relations, generally someone leaves the courtroom dissatisfied with the outcome; but Judge Goodbee manages this with integrity and focuses on what is best for the family especially concerning children involved. He guides his decision making from the bench by the philosophy of “Humility, Wisdom, Compassion – Patience, Patience, Patience.” These words are his guiding principles. It is the Commission’s unanimous recommendation to retain Judge Frederick M. Goodbee.
Questionnaires received by the Commission rate Judge Goodbee high overall and above average in courtroom management, application of the law, demeanor and fairness. The overall survey population including judges, attorneys and non-attorneys indicate that Judge Goodbee should be retained for the Seventeenth Judicial District, Adams and Broomfield Counties.
Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 89% recommended to retain, 6% not to retain and 5% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 94% recommended to retain and 6% not to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed about retention, 59% recommended to retain, 28% not to retain and 13% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 68% recommended to retain and 32% not to retain.