Third Judicial District - Las Animas County Court Judge
Honorable George A. Newnam
Retention Year: 1990
Recommendation: Retain
Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained.
Judge Newnam has served as a Las Animas County judge since July 1979. He graduated from Southern Colorado State College in 1970 with a degree in 1973 from Baylor University. On Oct. 2, 1973, he was admitted to practice law in Colorado.
From January until August 1974, he practiced law in Trinidad as a partner of John N. Mabry. Beginning in August 1974, he was a sole practitioner in Trinidad until September 1986. He also served as Trinidad Municipal Judge from July 1979 until December 1983.
The county judge post is an 85% of fulltime position. His jurisdiction includes both civil and criminal cases. The damages claimed in civil actions cannot exceed $5,000. He also presides over small claims court, were the damages claimed cannot exceed $2,000. His criminal caseload includes traffic, misdemeanor and felony cases. The county court’s jurisdiction over felonies begins with filing and ends with the preliminary hearing. As county judge, he also hears traffic fractions.
Lawyers who practice in front of Newnam, as well as others who have significant contact with this courtroom, were highly favorable to Newnam and recommended retention.