Second Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Morris B. Hoffman
Retention Year: 2012
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2012 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2011 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
2009 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously 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. Over the past six years, Judge Hoffman has presided over civil and criminal court cases. Judge Hoffman has also presided over the Denver Grand Jury for ten of the twenty-two years he has been on the bench.
To reach its retention decision, the Commission reviewed survey results and comments from people who have appeared in Judge Hoffman’s courtroom including prosecuting and defense attorneys, and non-attorneys including jurors, probation officers, law enforcement officers, witnesses, and defendants. The Commission also conducted a personal interview with Judge Hoffman, reviewed his self-evaluation, and selected members of the Commission observed Judge Hoffman in court. Additionally the commission reviewed several of Judge Hoffman’s written opinions. Judge Hoffman’s ratings by both attorneys and non-attorneys exceeded the average combined ratings of all district judges standing for retention. Judge Hoffman has been described by appellate judges as a top of the line performer: substantively, procedurally, ethically, analytically, communication wise, with superb people-skills; one of our best. Judge Hoffman received high scores in all the areas surveyed by the Commission. Judge Hoffman appears to be self-reflective in an effort to keep an open mind throughout the trial process and to hear and respect all parties involved fairly. He has been described as compassionate and understanding yet fair.
Of the 82 attorneys surveyed about retention, 91% recommended to retain, 7% not to retain, and 2% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not to retain, 92% recommended to retain and 8% not to retain. Of the 170 non-attorneys surveyed, 90% recommended to retain, 5% not to retain, and 5% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not to retain, 95% recommended to retain and 5% not to retain. In a survey of appellate judges regarding district judges, Judge Hoffman received a higher rating than the average rating of all district judges standing for retention.