Twelfth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Robert W. Ogburn
Retention Year: 1990
Recommendation: Retain
Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained.
Judge Ogburn is the 12th Judicial District’s Chief Judge. He was appointed to the district court in 1976. He received his law degree from the University of Michigan and first practiced law in Illinois in 1962. He was admitted to the bar in Colorado in 1964. His previous legal experience includes three years with the U.S. Army, with the judge advocate general’s corps, private practice and service as deputy district attorney for the 12th Judicial District.
Ogburn presides over criminal and civil cases, juvenile proceedings, domestic relations, probate cases, child custody matters, mental health inquires and appeals from county court. He also serves as water judge for Water Division 3. As chief judge, he also has administrative responsibilities. He is a circuit judge who sits in all six counties in the 12th Judicial District. His office is located in Rio Grande County.
Ogburn generally received favorable ratings from all groups surveyed, including attorneys, litigants, jurors, probation and social services, law enforcement and court personnel. While Ogburn is generally perceived to be courteous, patient, punctual, diligent and dignified, some respondents expressed concern about what they perceived to be his arrogant manner in the courtroom. He was very popular with the court personnel who were surveyed. The attorneys who were surveyed rated Ogburn high in hi legal reasoning and knowledge of the law.
He received special praise in his capacity as water judge. Although the majority of law enforcement respondents rated Ogburn favorably, some felt he was too critical of law enforcement officials in the courtroom. Some social workers felt Ogburn was too protective of parents’ rights.
The committee found Ogburn to be a dedicated civil servant. He has served as faculty of various legal conferences, has been active in improving the judicial system and is very involved in community affairs.