Ninth Judicial District - Rio Blanco County Court Judge
Honorable John D. Herron
Retention Year: 1992
Recommendation: Retain
John D. (Jack) Herron is judge of the Rio Blanco Court in Meeker, Colorado. He took office on January 10, 1989. He devotes two of three days a week to the performance of his judicial duties. He does not maintain a separate law practice.
Judge Herron was born in New York. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado in 1953 and his law degree from Westminster (now Denver University) Law School in 1959. He was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 1959 and practiced law in Denver until he and his wife moved to Meeker in 1979. Since then his has been engaged at various times in commercial beekeeping and homebuilding.
In County Court, Judge Herron hears misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil cases involving less than $10,000 and small claims where the parties are represented by lawyers. In his interview with the Commission, Judge Herron expressed a love for the bench and a desire to help those who appear in his court to better understand and respect the law. He strives to be fair and consistent in sentencing which he finds in the most difficult part of being a judge.
Attorneys and courthouse personnel gave Judge Herron high rating for legal knowledge, a sense of justice, impartiality, freedom from outside influences, courtesy, courtroom demeanor, and punctuality. He is regarded as a hard working judge who is prompt in making decisions and fair in imposing sentences.
The 9th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge John D. Herron be Retained.