Second Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Robert S. Hyatt
Retention Year: 2008
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Robert S. Hyatt BE RETAINED.
Background: Judge Hyatt was appointed to the Denver District Court in November 1987. Prior to his appointment, he served on the Denver County Court for three years. Before his judicial appointment, he practiced law in the Colorado Attorney General’s Office as well as civil, administrative and appellate law in private practice. Judge Hyatt’s undergraduate degree is from St. Louis University in 1972 and his law degree from the University of Missouri Law School in 1977. His community activities have included lecturing at the University of Denver Law School, judging moot court competitions, teaching at the state court administrator’s program for new judges, and volunteering at the Dumb Friends League. To address a significant backlog in criminal cases, Judge Hyatt developed the Criminal Docket Court. Because of his unique Wednesday docket, the criminal division has been able to relieve docket congestion.
Members of the Commission reviewed surveys from attorneys, appellate judges, jurors, defendants, law enforcement, and probation officers who appeared before Judge Hyatt. Members also observed him in court, read decisions he wrote, and interviewed him.
Strengths: Attorneys and non-attorneys alike who responded to survey questions rated Judge Hyatt well above average in almost all aspects of his job: case management, knowledge of the law, communications, demeanor and diligence. The opinions the Commission reviewed were clear, concise, well-reasoned, and well-organized.
Recommendation: 94% of attorneys surveyed and 98% non-attorneys supported Judge Hyatt’s retention. No one surveyed believed strongly that he should not be retained.