Jones, Cynthia 2020 Evaluation

Reports:
2020 Retention Survey Report
2019 Interim Survey Report

The Fifth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (10-0) agrees that Clear Creek County Court Judge Cynthia J. Jones MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS based on the following judicial performance criteria: Integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.

Judge Jones presides primarily over traffic and misdemeanor cases generated from the busy I-70 corridor through Clear Creek County, as well as smaller amounts of felonies, County Court civil cases and Small Claims cases.  Based on the Commission’s overall evaluation, Judge Jones has demonstrated she meets or exceeds performance standards in all categories.  Judge Jones received consistently positive reviews in surveys from attorneys and non-attorneys.  Judge Jones listens to and treats with respect all who appear before her, attorneys and non-attorneys alike.  Judge Jones, whose background is in criminal law and is relatively new to the bench, continues to work to improve her knowledge as to the civil portion of her case load.

In evaluating Judge Jones, the Commission utilized survey results and comments from attorneys and non-attorneys, performance data, the Judge’s self-evaluation, sample court orders, courtroom observations of the Judge, input from the District Attorney and Public Defender, and an interview with the Judge.  Of the 10 attorneys who completed the 2020 survey and with sufficient knowledge of Judge Jones, 100% indicated that she met all performance standards.  No non-attorneys completed the 2020 survey.  Judge Jones is held in high regard by those who appear before her.  She is proud to serve, truly enjoys her work and strives to improve her performance.  Her writing and decisions are easy to read, concise, and generally well-written.  She explains her rulings in language that is easily understood and makes every effort to make both plaintiffs and defendants feel they are treated fairly.

Judge Jones is a Colorado native and a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder.  She graduated from the University of Montana School of Law in 1992.  Following law school, she clerked for the Honorable Gaspar Perricone in Jefferson County.  Judge Jones then worked as a Deputy State Public Defender in various jurisdictions for approximately 18 years.  She worked in private practice from 2013 to March of 2018.  Judge Jones was appointed to the Clear Creek County Court Bench in March of 2018 and is a member of the Clear Creek County Community Review Board.