Patterson, James 2002 Evaluation

Reports:

2002 Retention Survey Report

The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge James S. Patterson BE RETAINED.

Judge Patterson was appointed to the El Paso County Court bench in October 1991. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Patterson was a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Colorado Springs. Judge Patterson received his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado (Boulder) and his law degree from the University of Arkansas Law School.

Judge Patterson supports Larson Hall for Kids and believes a judge’s community service should primarily focus on judicial projects such as teen court and school mock trial programs.

The Commission reviewed evaluations of Judge Patterson from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Patterson and conducted a personal interview with him.

Judge Patterson received high ratings from both attorneys and non-attorneys in every category, especially in the area of being courteous and punctual; treating all parties equally; communicating clearly both verbally and in written communications; maintaining proper judicial temperament; correctly applying the law; and performing diligently and efficiently with minimum delay. Of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 92% recommended Judge Patterson be retained in office, 4% recommended that he not be retained and 4% had no opinion. Of non-attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 84% recommended retention, 5% recommended non-retention and 11% had no opinion.