Fifth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Russell H. Granger
Retention Year: 2008
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Fifth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Russell H. Granger BE RETAINED.
Judge Granger received his law degree from the Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, California. Judge Granger was engaged in private practice in Georgetown and as the Georgetown town attorney prior to his appointment in 1998 as the County Court judge for Clear Creek County. He was appointed to the District Court of the Fifth Judicial District in 2006. Judge Granger hears cases primarily in Clear Creek, Eagle and Lake counties. Judge Granger contributes time lecturing in the areas of contracts, property, tort and criminal law; and is active as a volunteer member of the local fire department and National Ski Patrol.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Granger from attorneys and non-attorneys, as well as a written self evaluation completed by Judge Granger. A personal interview of Judge Granger was conducted by the Commission, and members of the Commission observed Judge Granger in the courtroom during several proceedings.
This is Judge Granger’s first review as a district judge. The qualities of integrity, fairness and consistency that he exhibited as a county judge have transferred well, as he is seen as a district judge who takes his job very seriously, and who treats all courtroom participants with respect and fairness. He receives very high marks for his professional, balanced courtroom demeanor, and is held in high regard by the Commission, attorneys and non-attorneys that appear before him. Overall, he successfully manages a very heavy caseload, with few criticisms regarding delay balanced against few others that he rushes the procedure. In order to improve his performance, Judge Granger continues to work on preparing concise, well-reasoned written rulings, expediting his caseload, and balancing his quest for procedural perfection alongside empathy with those appearing before him.
Questionnaires received by the Commission from both attorneys and non-attorneys that have appeared in his courtroom uniformly rate Judge Granger high overall, and above average in the areas of fairness, demeanor, diligence and application of the law. Seventy-seven percent of attorneys responding strongly recommend retention of Judge Granger, with 77% of responding non-attorneys sharing this strong recommendation.