Eighteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Gerald J. Rafferty
Retention Year: 2002
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Gerald J. Rafferty BE RETAINED.
Gerald J. Rafferty has been a District Court Judge in the Eighteenth Judicial District since 1999. After earning his Bachelor Degree from the United States Air Force Academy in 1967, Judge Rafferty served in the U.S. Air Force, including four years as a pilot. From 1973 to 1977, Rafferty was a Special Agent in the FBI. In 1978 he received his Juris Doctorate degree with honors from John Marshall Law School.
Judge Rafferty was a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office from 1978 to 1988, and was with a Denver law firm from 1988 to 1989. In 1989, Judge Rafferty returned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In 1995, he joined the Denver District Attorney’s Office and served as a Deputy District Attorney specializing in complex criminal cases until he was appointed to the bench in 1999. While serving as a Deputy District Attorney, Judge Rafferty also taught law as an Adjunct Professor with the University of Denver College of Law.
In survey results, 93% of attorneys and 89% of non-attorneys recommended Judge Rafferty for retention. In his relatively short time on the bench the judge has grown in his role as a jurist. The judge received some negative comments concerning courtroom demeanor. In an effort to improve his performance, Judge Rafferty has undertaken training and evaluation to assist in improving his courtroom activities. He also recognizes a need to improve his knowledge of procedure and courtroom management. Consequently, the Commission has urged Judge Rafferty to attend the National Judicial College.