Second Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable John N. McMullen
Retention Year: 1992
Recommendation: Retain
Judge John N. McMullen graduate from the U.S. Military Academy (West Point) in 1963 with a degree in engineering. He graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in June 1971, and was admitted to the Colorado Bar in October of that year.
Judge McMullen is currently Chief Judge of the Denver District Court. He was appointed to that position in 1987 by former Chief Justice Joseph Quinn. In his capacity as Chief Judge, he oversees the administration of the Denver District Court which has 20 judges. In addition to his administrative duties, Judge McMullen presides over the State Grand Jury. He also maintains a civil docket and hears miscellaneous legal matters, including foreign judgments, appeals from arbitrator’s decisions, and petitions for temporary restraining orders.
Prior to his appointment to the judiciary, Judge McMullen served as a Deputy District Attorney in Denver from 1971 until 1982. After one year of private practice, he was appointed to the Denver District Court. Before assuming his position of Chief Judge of the Court, Judge McMullen was assigned to hear criminal, domestic relations and civil matters.
The Commission interviewed representatives from the Denver Probation Department, Public Defender’s office, Denver City Attorney’s office and private attorneys who have appeared before Judge McMullen. The unanimous consensus of all those interviewed was that Judge McMullen is one of the best judge on the Denver District Court. Questionnaires collected by the Commission from attorneys, litigants, courthouse staff, and former jurors who had experience with Judge McMullen echoed the opinions express by those interviewed. Respondents were uniformly impressed with Judge McMullen’s intellect, legal knowledge, judicial temperament, docket administration, interpersonal skills and equitable treatment of court participants.
The 2nd Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge John N. McMullen be retained.