Twentieth Judicial District - Boulder County Court Judge
Honorable Thomas J. B. Reed
Retention Year: 2008
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Twentieth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Thomas J. B. Reed BE RETAINED.
Background: Thomas J. B. 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. 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 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 a self evaluation questionnaire given to the judge.
Evaluation: The Commission was particularly impressed with Judge Reed’s willingness to continue examining his performance and motivation for ongoing improvement. Judge Reed shows an enthusiasm for his job even though he has served on the bench for many years. He shows a strong ability to provide fair and effective hearings with a sincere respect for all participants. His commitment to improving the judicial system and his knowledge of applicable law and procedure is also noteworthy. Judge Reed expressed considerable enthusiasm about his beginning a new court program aimed at reducing recidivism in repeat DUI offenders.
Recommendation: Survey results showed strong support for retaining Judge Reed as a Boulder County Judge. Of the attorneys expressing a preference, 100% believed that Judge Reed should be retained. Of non-attorneys with a preference, 93% believed that he should 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 the average scores of all other Colorado county court judges and all judges statewide.