Second Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Morris B. Hoffman
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Morris B. Hoffman BE RETAINED.
Judge Hoffman was appointed to the Denver District Court bench in December 1990. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Hoffman was in private practice in Denver, specializing in commercial litigation, real estate and bankruptcy law. Judge Hoffman graduated from the University of Colorado and received his law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1977. Judge Hoffman presently hears civil cases and presides over the Denver Statutory Grand Jury. During the past six years, he also served in the criminal division for two years and in the domestic relations division for one year.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Hoffman from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Hoffman and conducted a personal interview with Judge Hoffman.
Judge Hoffman is careful not to involve himself in community or bar activities in which he believes there is a possibility of compromising his ethical role as a judge. Judge Hoffman's philosophy of judicial performance includes treating lawyers, parties, witnesses and jurors as he would like to be treated; going where the law, rather than his personal beliefs, takes him; exercising his power as narrowly as possible; and being consumed with self-doubt at all times until a decision is reached and then moving on. Judge Hoffman's recreational activities include riding his bike to work in the summer.
Judge Hoffman received high ratings from both attorneys and non-attorneys in virtually every category, particularly in the areas of being courteous; treating all parties equally; communicating clearly, thoroughly and in a well-reasoned manner; maintaining proper judicial temperament; correctly applying the law; and performing with diligence, efficiency and minimal delay. Of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 93% recommended that Judge Hoffman be retained, 4% recommended that he not be retained, and 3% had no opinion. Of the non-attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 69% recommended retention, 22% recommended non-retention, and 9% had no opinion.