Second Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Joseph E. Meyer III
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Joseph E. Meyer III BE RETAINED.
Judge Meyer was appointed to the Denver District Court bench in January 1997. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Meyer was in private practice in Denver, specializing in commercial litigation. Judge Meyer received his undergraduate degree from Williams College in Massachusetts and his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1970. Judge Meyer presently hears criminal cases. He also heard civil cases for two years and served in the Denver District Drug Court for one year.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Meyer from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Meyer and conducted a personal interview with Judge Meyer.
Judge Meyer speaks to lawyer groups about the perspective of the judiciary on various issues. While in Drug Court, he also worked to educate interested members of the community about the court. Judge Meyer approaches each case as unique and deals with it on its own merits without being guided by any biases or stereotypes. He decides factual disputes impartially and applies the law evenly. He has a great respect for the rule of law and views his role as a judge to find and apply the intent of the legislature as well as the rules established by binding precedent. For recreation, Judge Meyer enjoys mountain activities such as hiking, fly fishing and backpacking.
Judge Meyer received high ratings from both attorneys and non-attorneys in virtually every category, particularly in the areas of being courteous; treating all parties equally; communicating clearly, thoroughly and in a well-reasoned manner; maintaining proper judicial temperament; correctly applying the law; and performing with diligence, efficiency and minimal delay. Of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 95% recommended that Judge Meyer be retained in office, 0% recommended that he not be retained, and 5% had no opinion. Of the non-attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 87% recommended retention, 3% recommended non-retention, and 10% had no opinion.