Eighteenth Judicial District - Douglas County Court Judge
Honorable Michelle Ann Marker
Retention Year: 2006
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2006 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
Need an accessible PDF Document version?
Please click on the link below and email our staff
The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Michelle Ann Marker BE RETAINED, by a vote of 7 in favor and two rendering no opinion.
Judge Marker is new to the bench and has been trying to run an efficient docket so that all parties are given a fair hearing in her court. She feels the County Court is “The People’s Court.” Many that appear before her defend themselves without representation. Those people who have appeared before Judge Marker feel they have received a fair and impartial hearing.
Judge Marker was appointed to the Douglas County Court bench on April 20, 2004. Prior to her appointment, Judge Marker served as a Deputy District Attorney in the Eighteenth Judicial District since 2001 where she was assigned to the felony docket. From 1995 to 1999, she served as the elected County and Prosecuting Attorney in Park County, Wyoming. Prior to her elected term, she served eight years as a Deputy County and Prosecuting Attorney. Additionally, Judge Marker has participated in a number of public organizations including instructing for the Young Lawyer’s Division, volunteering with local churches, and dedicating time to the University of Denver School of Law’s mock trial competitions. Judge Marker received her undergraduate and law degree from the University of Wyoming. Currently, Judge Marker is hearing a docket of traffic, misdemeanor and felony cases. Judge Marker continually deals with a heavy docket in Douglas County.
The Commission conducts extensive research in making this recommendation, including use of surveys conducted on the judge, interviews with people involved in the courtroom, and personal observations in the courtroom.
Of those attorneys surveyed 57% felt Judge Marker should be retained while 88% of non-attorneys felt that she should be retained.
The Commission is urging Judge Marker to undertake a series of steps designed to help her complete the transition from a District Attorney to a fair and impartial judge, including mentoring with more experienced judges and classes in judicial demeanor. The commission has asked Judge Marker to reappear before the commission in one year to review her progress.
The Commission finds that Judge Marker has the makings of a good judge and will become that with some more experience.