Second Judicial District - Denver County Court Judge
Honorable Gary M. Jackson
Retention Year: 2016
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard
Reports:
2016 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2015 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, on a vote of 10-0, unanimously recommends that Judge Gary M. Jackson BE RETAINED.
Mayor Michael Hancock appointed Judge Jackson to the Denver County Court in September 2012. Before his appointment, Judge Jackson practiced law for 42 years in Colorado. During his career, Judge Jackson served as a Chief Trial Deputy District Attorney in Denver and as a prosecutor in theUnited State’s Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. In private practice, he represented clients in civil and criminal cases at all levels of Colorado courts. He also served as an arbitrator, mediator, and expert witness and consultant in legal disputes. Judge Jackson co-founded the Sam Cary Bar Association in 1971. He served as president or on the board of many institutions including History Colorado, U.S. District Court Federal Selection Committee, Judicial Performance Commission for the 18th Judicial District, the American Board of Trial Advocates, American College of Trial Lawyers, the National Bar Association, the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Minoru Yasui Inn of Court, and other organizations. Judge Jackson earned his law degree in 1970 at the University of Colorado, where he also earned an undergraduate degree in 1967. During his distinguished career before appointment to the bench, Judge Jackson received awards and recognition from the University of Colorado School of Law, the Colorado Bar Association, the National Bar Association, and the Sam Cary Bar Association. Judge Jackson continues to be very active in the community and regularly speaks to high school students, encouraging them to seek opportunities in the legal profession.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Jackson, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, reviewed his self-evaluation, read comments received from interested parties, and reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Jackson. Of the attorneys completing the survey, 86% recommended retaining, 9% made no recommendation, and just 5% said not to retain. Of non-attorneys who completed the survey, 96% recommended to retain, 1% made no recommendation, and just 2% said not to retain. (These percentages do not total 100% due to rounding.)
Judge Jackson has presided over criminal proceedings this term. Survey results show attorneys rated him just below average in case management and application and knowledge of the law and at or above average in his communications, demeanor, diligence, and fairness. Non-attorneys consistently rated Judge Jackson above average in nearly all categories, and 86% of those non-attorneys reported Judge Jackson remained completely neutral in judicial proceedings. Courtroom observation of Judge Jackson confirmed his excellent demeanor and communication ability. During his interview with the Commission, Judge Jackson acknowledged he continued to work on docket efficiency, and the Commission is confident in recommending that voters should retain Judge Jackson.