Mayhew, Stanley 2002 Evaluation

Reports:

2002 Retention Survey Report

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The Eleventh Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Stanley J. Mayhew BE RETAINED. The vote among the Commission members was 5 to 3 in favor of retention of Judge Mayhew.

Judge Mayhew graduated from the University of Colorado law school at Boulder in 1971. He was appointed to the Park County Court Bench in July of 1975. Judge Mayhew is a county court judge and works almost full time presiding over misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic cases and civil cases in which the amount in dispute does not exceed $15,000.

The Commission bases its findings upon information supplied to the Commission through questionnaires, public hearings and a personal interview with Judge Mayhew. Questionnaires for evaluation of Judge Mayhew were sent to attorneys who have appeared in his court, court and probation employees, litigants who have had cases in his court, law enforcement personnel and jurors who have served on juries in his court. One public comment in favor of retention was that Judge Mayhew was accommodating, quick on rulings, patient, alert and with both good questions and deliberate explanations on matters of law.

Following prior Commission recommendations, Judge Mayhew gave up his law practice. He devotes five days a week to his judicial duties. Judge Mayhew has spent time trying to establish mediation in the courts to resolve matters without court intervention. He is sensitive to the distance most parties must travel to court, providing opportunities to resolve matters efficiently. The Commission found that the Judge's institution of "readiness conferences" was a step in the right direction for improving docket control.

The Commission, as it has in Judge Mayhew's past two reviews, continues to have concerns regarding Judge Mayhew's docket control and case management. Survey results indicate poor verbal communication and problems with caseload management and docket efficiency. Survey results also found Judge Mayhew to be at or below the average county court judges in most categories evaluated. Judge Mayhew's caseload is increasing. Nevertheless, a majority of the Commission believes Judge Mayhew can do an adequate job. An addition of a bailiff assigned to Judge Mayhew's courtroom, as previously recommended by the Commission, would likely have a positive impact upon courtroom management and efficiency.

The majority of the Commission believes that Judge Mayhew is dedicated to his judgeship and performing the duties required.