First Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Christopher J. Munch
Retention Year: 2012
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2012 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2011 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
2009 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends by a unanimous vote that Judge Christopher J. Munch BE RETAINED.
Judge Munch received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University and his law degree from Stanford University School of Law. He was appointed to the First Judicial District Court in 1986. Before his appointment to the court, Judge Munch was in private practice. He handles a mix of civil, domestic relations, and criminal cases. His community interests include previously serving on the Board of Family Tree. He has been involved in numerous efforts to improve the legal community including coaching moot court competitions, teaching courses, and making presentations to civic groups and schools.
The Commission considered responses to anonymous surveys sent to attorneys and non-attorneys who had been in Judge Munch’s courtroom, unannounced courtroom visitations by Commission members, a self-evaluation by Judge Munch, a personal interview with Judge Munch, and other information in reaching its recommendation regarding Judge Munch. Judge Munch is a very experienced and knowledgeable judge. In fact, he is considered by some to be one of the best district judges in the state. He is an outstanding jurist and treats parties in his courtroom with great respect. He is perceived as being fair and thoughtful in his rulings and sentences. While some considered his docket control somewhat rigid, his courtroom is extremely efficient and cases are resolved in a timely manner. In fact, he has helped to create new docket management standards for the entire state.
Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 86% recommended to retain, 7% not to retain, and 8% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not to retain, 93% recommended to retain and 7% not to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 90% recommended to retain, 5% not to retain,
and 5% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not to retain, 96% recommended to retain and 5% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.) Based upon its review of the information presented to it, the First Judicial District Performance Commission is pleased to recommend unanimously that Judge Christopher J. Munch of the First Judicial District Court BE RETAINED.