Second Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Anne M. Mansfield
Retention Year: 2008
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Anne M. Mansfield BE RETAINED.
Background: Judge Mansfield attended Arizona State University and graduated from Colorado College and the University of Arizona Law School. She was associated with small law firms in the Denver Area and was a prosecutor in Arapahoe County and a magistrate in Denver and Adams counties before being appointed to the bench in Colorado’s Second Judicial District in June 2005. Until January 2007, Judge Mansfield presided over cases in Domestic Relations Court. She has served on the Subcommittee on Family Relations of the Colorado Supreme Court and speaks to educational groups regarding the judiciary. She presently is assigned to the Criminal Division in the District Court in Denver.
Strengths: On a questionnaire survey of persons who have appeared in Judge Mansfield’s courtroom over the past two years, attorneys gave her high ratings on case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, demeanor, and diligence. These ratings are all above the average of similar ratings of all district and all trial judges being considered for retention in Colorado this year. Transcripts of comments from attorneys noted her fairness, empathy, skill with those representing themselves, and general excellence. Ratings from non-attorneys – jurors, law enforcement personnel, witnesses, and parties on both sides of the cases – were at the state average for all the judges in Colorado being considered for retention this year. Additionally, members of the Commission examined three of Judge Mansfield’s written rulings and found them to be clear, comprehensive, and legally sound.
Weaknesses: Survey results from attorneys indicate that Judge Mansfield may be somewhat biased toward the prosecution and against the defense in criminal cases. Results from non-attorneys did not indicate this tendency.
Recommendation: Of responding attorneys, 95% recommended retaining Judge Mansfield. Of responding non-attorneys 94% recommended her retention.