Twentieth Judicial District - Boulder County Court Judge
Honorable Thomas J. B. Reed
Retention Year: 1992
Recommendation: Retain
Judge Reed is a Boulder County Court Judge. He was admitted to practice in Colorado in 1972. He spent a year in private practice and then joined the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office where he practiced for approximately five years. Judge Reed returned to private practice in 1978 where he remained until his appointment to the judiciary in June, 1985. Judge Reed presides over civil cases up to $10,000; felony advisements and preliminary hearings; traffic and misdemeanor cases. The average caseload of a Boulder County Judge is 5,400 cases per year.
All of the surveyed groups rated Judge Reed above average; Judge Reed is professional and courteous in his court at all times, without appearing to be to severe or aloof. In his interview with the Commission, Judge Reed expressed the view that not only must people appearing before him be treated fairly, in fact, they must be treated in a manner which causes them to leave the court knowing they received fair treatment. His emphasis on fairness is supported by the survey respondents who consistently commented upon his strong sense of fairness, and good common sense. Judge Reed appears to be well respected in the legal community and is viewed as being responsible and effective. The surveyed groups rated Judge Reed highly: attorneys, 86.8% to retain; law enforcement, 100% to retain; courthouse personnel, 100% to retain.
The 20th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Thomas J. B. Reed be Retained.