Fourth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Gilbert A. Martinez
Retention Year: 2004
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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After an eight to zero vote, the Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Chief Judge Gilbert A. Martinez BE RETAINED.
Chief Judge Martinez received his Juris Doctor in 1977 from the University of Colorado. He worked for Pikes Peak Legal Service for approximately one year and then went to work for the Colorado Springs office of the Colorado Public Defenders' Office. Chief Judge Martinez was head of the Colorado Springs office for the last five years he was employed. Chief Judge Martinez was appointed to the bench on November 14, 1989, and he was appointed Chief Judge for the Fourth Judicial District on June 20, 1994. In the previous two years, Chief Judge Martinez presided over mostly criminal and domestic relations cases. The majority of the criminal cases were felonies.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Chief Judge Martinez from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires and a written self-evaluation completed by Chief Judge Martinez. The Commission conducted two personal interviews with Chief Judge Martinez.
Chief Judge Martinez received above-average ratings as follows: prompt rulings during trial; timely court proceedings; maintaining appropriate control during proceedings; speaking clearly; using understandable language; making tough decisions when necessary; and providing prompt access to the court in emergency matters.
Chief Judge Martinez did receive a below-average rating for allotting appropriate time for his cases, setting reasonable schedules for his cases, treating everyone politely and with respect, and having empathy with the parties involved. The Commission had some concern that these ratings demonstrated that Chief Judge Martinez is spread too thin between his regular case load and his administrative duties as Chief Judge. The Commission addressed these issues with Chief Judge Martinez and is of the opinion that Chief Judge Martinez will address and correct those areas in which he received below-average ratings.
Of the attorneys responding to the survey 60% strongly recommended that Chief Judge Martinez be retained in office and 12% somewhat recommended that he be retained. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 67% strongly recommended that he be retained in office and 15% somewhat recommended his retention.