Sixteenth Judicial District - Otero County Court Judge
Honorable Douglas R. Manley
Retention Year: 2010
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Sixteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Douglas R. Manley BE RETAINED.
Background: Judge Manley has been a part-time County Judge since 2004. Judge Manley received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and his law degree from the University of Colorado. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Manley has served as an Assistant District Attorney and as a private practitioner. He currently serves as a part-time Municipal Judge in many neighboring communities.
Strengths: Judge Manley received superlative comments for his efficiency, timeliness of rulings and reasoning of decisions from both attorneys and non-attorneys. Attorneys regarded Judge Manley as fair, well prepared and knowledgeable. Non-attorneys consistently commented favorably on his fairness, compassion and respect to the participants. Judge Manley was universally regarded as a highly capable jurist.
Weaknesses: Some comments were directed at improving the communications system in his courtroom to increase audibility and to improve participant understanding of the proceedings. Judge Manley has been encouraged to increase eye contact and audibility with participants.
Recommendation: Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 94.5% recommended to retain, 5.5% not to retain, and 0% expressed no opinion. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 79% recommended to retain, 10% not to retain, and 10% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 89% recommended to retain and 12% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)