Twentieth Judicial District - Boulder County Court Judge
Honorable Thomas J. B. Reed
Retention Year: 2004
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
The Twentieth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Thomas J. B. Reed be RETAINED.
Judge Reed was appointed to the Boulder County Court in 1985 after thirteen years in the private practice of law as well as serving as a member of the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office. Judge Reed received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 1969 and his law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1972.
The recommendation that Judge Reed be retained is based upon survey results from litigants, court staff, jurors, law enforcement, attorneys and others who have knowledge of his performance as judge; courtroom observations by Commission members; a personal interview conducted by Commission members; and information, materials, or testimony received at a public hearing conducted by the Commission. The Commission voted unanimously that Judge Reed be retained. Judge Reed handles a wide variety of matters in Boulder County Court including criminal misdemeanors such as driving under the influence (DUI), assault including domestic violence matters, substance abuse, civil matters where the disputed amount is less than $15,000, eviction cases, name changes and other matters as assigned. Judge Reed also conducts felony preliminary hearings and assists with District Court matters.
The Commission was particularly impressed with Judge Reed's enthusiasm for his position, his commitment to improving the judicial system and his knowledge of applicable law and procedure. Survey results showed strong support for retaining Judge Reed as a Boulder County Judge. Of attorneys responding to surveys, 91% recommended that Judge Reed should be retained. Only 6% recommended that he not be retained. Of non-attorneys responding, 74% recommended that he should be retained. Eighteen (18%) recommended that he should not be retained. Judge Reed's overall ratings in case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, demeanor and diligence were higher than or equal to all other Colorado County Court judges and all judges statewide.