Eighteenth Judicial District - Arapahoe County Court Judge
Honorable Dana E. Murray
Retention Year: 2002
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Dana E. Murray BE RETAINED.
Judge Murray was appointed to the bench in August 1992. Before her appointment to the court, Judge Murray was a Deputy District Attorney in the Eighteenth Judicial District. Judge Murray received her undergraduate degree from Colorado College and her law degree from the University of Denver College of Law.
Judge Murray’s current assignments include traffic, civil and misdemeanor offenses. Her experience includes court trials that involve jury trials, restraining orders, felony advisements, bond hearings and preliminary hearings.
The Commission reviewed and considered written evaluations provided by attorneys and non-attorneys. Judge Murray provided a written self-evaluation that included her assessment of her strengths, goals, skills and philosophy. The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Murray. Comments from the attorneys responding to the survey noted that Judge Murray is knowledgeable, and several described her as excellent or exceptional. Among the non-attorney comments, she was described as courteous, patient and professional. Overall, comments from attorneys and non-attorneys alike were positive and consistent with the recommendation to retain her as a judge in the Eighteenth Judicial District.
Judge Murray participates in conducting mock trials with high school students. These student teams coached by Judge Murray have been recognized as state champions and were represented in national competitions.
Ninety-six percent of attorneys responding to the questionnaires recommended that Judge Murray be retained and 4% gave no opinion. Among the non-attorney respondents, 93% recommended that she be retained, 2% recommended non-retention and 5% gave no opinion.