Eighteenth Judicial District - Douglas County Court Judge
Honorable Susanna Meissner-Cutler
Retention Year: 2014
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2014 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2013 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
2011 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Susanna Meissner-Cutler BE RETAINED.
Judge Meissner-Cutler was appointed to the Douglas County Court in 1995 by Governor Roy Romer. Prior to her appointment, she was an attorney in private practice specializing in civil litigation. She received her law degree from the University of Denver in 1986 after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Judge Meissner-Cutler was awarded the Judicial Excellence Award by the Colorado Judicial Institute in 2012. Judge Meissner-Cutler has served on many committees, including the Planning and Analysis Standing Committee and the “Our Courts” program, which is a joint effort of CJI and the Colorado Bar Association.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Meissner-Cutler, reviewed opinions she authored, observed her in court, and reviewed surveys sent to attorneys and non-attorneys. Among the survey questions was “how strongly do you recommend that Judge Meissner-Cutler be retained in office, or not be retained in office?” Of attorneys responding to the survey, 90% recommended to retain, 7% not to retain, and 2% made no recommendation regarding retention. Of non-attorneys responding to the survey, 82% recommended to retain, 11% not to retain, and 7% made no recommendation regarding retention. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)
Judge Meissner-Cutler has presided over county court civil cases and preliminary proceedings in felony cases. She presently acts as Presiding Judge of County Courts in Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln Counties, all in the Eighteenth Judicial District. Based on the survey results of attorneys, Judge Meissner-Cutler received an overall combined average rating which was above the average combined rating for all county court judges standing for retention. Judge Meissner-Cutler received high marks in application and knowledge of the law, demeanor and case management. She is described as very fair and consistent in her dealings with all of the participants in her courtroom.