Eighteenth Judicial District - Arapahoe County Court Judge
Honorable Dana Elizabeth Murray
Retention Year: 2010
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Dana Elizabeth Murray BE RETAINED.
Judge Murray graduated from Colorado College in Colorado Springs and from the University of Denver School of Law. In 1996, the Arapahoe County Bar Association presented Judge Murray with the Tommy Drinkwine award for Outstanding Young Lawyer.
Judge Murray served as a County Court Magistrate from July, 1989 to October, 1992. Before being appointed as County Court Magistrate, Judge Murray served as a Deputy District Attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial District. She has served as an Arapahoe County Court Judge since October, 1992. She has handled felony advisements and preliminary hearings, traffic, misdemeanor and civil cases. In August of 2009 her workload was changed to 95% traffic and 5% misdemeanor cases.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Murray from attorneys and non-attorneys, as well as a written self-evaluation. The Commission conducted a personal interview and courtroom observations. Judge Murray’s survey scores exceeded the average of all county judge survey scores in both the attorneys’ and non-attorneys’ surveys of her demeanor, fairness, communications, diligence and application of the law. Her scores from attorneys exceeded the scores from non-attorneys, but both groups held her in high regard.
The Commission members who observed Judge Murray in her courtroom reported a judge fully in charge of her courtroom, handling a busy court in a competent, courteous and effective manner. Judge Murray has described her judicial goal as approaching each case without prejudging the outcome of the case, researching the legal issues presented in each case before trial, and reserving judgment until all the facts and arguments are presented.
She believes that she treats all persons who appear before her equally regardless of their race, age, gender or economic status. She believes that her preparation and careful attention to the case before her allows her to rule from the bench immediately upon the conclusion of the hearing, which approach best serves the interests of the citizens of Arapahoe County.
Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 97% recommended to retain, 3% not to retain, and 0% expressed no opinion. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 88% recommended to retain, 5% not to retain, and 7% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 96% recommended to retain and 5% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)