First Judicial District - Jefferson County Court Judge
Honorable Charles T. Hoppin
Retention Year: 2006
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Charles T. Hoppin BE RETAINED.
Judge Hoppin was appointed to the County Court bench in May, 1996. He was in private practice for 24 years prior to becoming a judge, representing clients in a wide range of cases and transactions. His current caseload in the County Court includes criminal and civil cases. He has been specially appointed to preside over many District Court hearings and trials. Judge Hoppin received the Judicial Excellence Award for Colorado County Court Judges from the Colorado Judicial Institute in 2003.
The Commission reviewed Performance Surveys of Judge Hoppin from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Hoppin and conducted a personal interview with him. Some members of the Commission made unannounced visits to his court to observe various proceedings.
The Judicial Performance Surveys show Judge Hoppin to be one of the best and most respected judges in the district. Of the attorneys surveyed, 95% recommended retention and 5% recommended against retention. He received a 93% retention recommendation from non attorneys with 7% recommending against retention. His strengths were identified as fairness and neutrality, communication, treating participants with respect, courtroom demeanor and being well-prepared for his cases. He handles a very large caseload efficiently while giving litigants a fair opportunity to be heard. He was described as professional, impartial, logical and fair. As one non-lawyer observed, he “gives the court a sense of dignity.” One of the attorneys responding to the survey described him as a “tribute to the judiciary.”
Despite his high ratings in the survey, Judge Hoppin identified several areas in which he hopes to improve. The Commission believes his honest self-analysis and commitment to excellence are important assets.
Judge Hoppin is an active contributor to the community, participating in local school and church activities and serving on many boards and legal associations. He is, as one attorney said, a “good, kind person.” Judge Hoppin is a great asset to the judicial district and the people of Jefferson County.