Seventeenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Patrick T. Murphy
Retention Year: 2010
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Patrick T. Murphy BE RETAINED.
Prior to his appointment, Judge Murphy was in private practice with Purvis, Gray and Murphy, a position he has held since 2004. Prior to starting this firm, he was in private practice from 1986 to 2003. From 1981 to 1986 he was an Assistant United States Attorney. He also has served in the Weld County and Boulder County District Attorney Offices. He received his bachelor's degree in 1972 and his law degree in 1975, both from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Judge Murphy’s docket is 100% juvenile, but he has helped out in the Civil Division.
Judge Murphy considers community service to be an important part of being a judge. He serves on the Policy Board on the Adams County Youth Initiative as the court representative. The Board consists of leaders from law enforcement, education, human services, mental health and other agencies to coordinate services for juveniles. Judge Murphy has been a leader in the pilot project ACT (Alternative Court Track), which is designed as a juvenile mental health court. Judge Murphy worked with the art teacher at the juvenile detention center to develop an art program as a mode of therapy for the juveniles while they are detained. The selected art is displayed in the courtroom to encourage the juveniles to use the art while in detention to help them improve their self image and understand problems. Judge Murphy volunteers at The Lookout Mountain School for Boys, which is the most secure facility for juveniles in the Department of Youth Corrections. He helps teach a mock trial team competition.
The Commission reviewed written survey evaluations of Judge Murphy from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written comments. The Commission reviewed Judge Murphy’s written self-evaluation and three written orders, as well as conducted courtroom observations and had a personal interview with Judge Murphy.
Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 71% recommended to retain, 28% not to retain and 0% expressed no opinion. Of all non-attorneys surveyed about retention, 92% recommended to retain, 3% not to retain and 5% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 96% recommended to retain and 3% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.) It is the Commission’s unanimous recommendation to retain Judge Patrick T. Murphy.