Fourth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable J. Patrick Kelly
Retention Year: 2004
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge J. Patrick Kelly BE RETAINED with the provision that he be evaluated again in two years. The vote was eight in favor of retention, two abstaining because they were not present for the entire evaluation.
Governor Owens appointed Judge Kelly to the bench in July 2002. He graduated from the University of Colorado in l976, cum laude with high distinction. He received his law degree from the University of Tulsa in l984. Judge Kelly returned to Colorado Springs and has been an attorney for the City of Colorado Springs, Deputy District Attorney for the Fourth Judicial District, County Attorney for El Paso County and El Paso County Clerk and Recorder. Judge Kelly presently hears criminal and domestic relation's cases.
The Commission conducted two interviews with Judge Kelly and members observed him in the courtroom. The commission also reviewed written evaluations from attorneys and non-attorneys that included written verbatim comments and a self-evaluation submitted by Judge Kelly.
In the survey, both attorneys and non-attorneys rated Judge Kelly above average in communication and demeanor. He received a low rating by attorneys in overall case management, knowledge and application of the law, and overall diligence. Non-attorneys rated Judge Kelly low in application of the law. At the second interview Judge Kelly presented a written performance plan that proposed ways to improve in these areas. The Commission feels that Judge Kelly will work to continually improve his performance.
Of the attorneys responding, 54% strongly recommended retention and 25% somewhat recommended retention. Of the non-attorneys responding, 64% strongly recommended retention, while 10% somewhat recommended retention.
Judge Kelly is a member for the Pikes Peak Council Boy Scouts of America Executive Board and has volunteered to participate in Teen Court. He has also formulated and organized an ethics program for the District court judges.