Plewe, Todd Jay 2024 Evaluation

Reports: 

2024 Retention Survey Report (PDF)

2021 Interim Survey Report (PDF)

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The Twenty-Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously finds that Chief Judge Todd Jay Plewe MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. The criteria for judicial performance are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administration performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.

The Commission considers Judge Plewe to be an important asset to the Judicial District not only in his role as a district court judge but also as the Chief Judge of the 22^nd Judicial District. Judge Plewe is consistently prepared and very knowledgeable in the subject matters over which he presides. He actively listens to people appearing in court and communicates well with the parties to ensure that each understands his reasoning and the legal basis and procedures that guide his decisions. He manages his workload well, including additional responsibilities produced by changes in personnel and unexpected circumstances such as the recent pandemic. In his role as Chief Judge, Judge Plewe has established regular meetings among judges, staff, and management and exhibits strong administrative skills which are necessary for this position. The Commission believes that Judge Plewe serves as an excellent role model for other judges, legal professionals, and community members.

The Commission considered multiple sources of information in evaluating Judge Plewe’s judicial performance: (1) a personal interview, (2) a selection of legal opinions by Judge Plewe, (3) observations in court, (4) survey responses from attorneys, judges and non-attorneys, and (5) a self-evaluation prepared by Judge Plewe. Judge Plewe demonstrates that he can adapt well to changes and consistently evaluates his own judicial practice. He regularly adapts to changes and is receptive to implementing ways to improve the 22^nd Judicial District including recognition of unconscious biases in all persons and in our judicial system. It is the opinion of this Commission that the survey responses were unreliable due to very low response rates from both attorneys (<4%) and non-attorneys (<.4%). Eleven appellate judges rated Judge Plewe’s performance very highly (3.8 of 4). Based on these diverse sources of information, the Commission concludes that Judge Plewe exceeds performance standards.

Judge Plewe has served as a judge in the 22^nd Judicial district for 22 years. He graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1997 and entered private practice. From 2002 to 2010 he was the Montezuma County Court Judge, in 2010 he was appointed as a District Judge, and in 2023 he became the Chief Judge. Judge Plewe states that he recognizes the tremendous responsibility and trust that comes with being a District Court Judge, and he understands and appreciates the culture and values of the 22^nd Judicial District. For many years he has worked with school, church, and community groups and gives presentations whenever asked. He has also coached golf at Montezuma-Cortez High School for 11 years.