Twentieth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Murray Richtel
Retention Year: 1992
Recommendation: Retain
Judge Richtel was admitted to the Bar in 1965, and after about a year in the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office and five years in private practice, he was appointed Associate Professor at University of Colorado Law School and served as the Co-Director of Colorado University’s Legal Aid Program. He served on the District Court bench since 1977, and has experience in all district court assignments.
He is widely regarded as having a superb legal intellect and a fine understanding of the intertwining of the various aspects of the law. Most observers agree he is excellent at grasping the issues and finding an appropriate resolution, and his courtroom is very well run. However, when Judge Richtel seems bored or irritated, then this excellence may not be apparent. His shortfalls are in the areas of temperament and demeanor. He is perceived as arrogant at times and his sometimes frustrated by the apparent lack of understanding and preparation by attorneys. Some observers perceive him as biased on occasion, and they feel that bias may influence the outcome of trials.
Despite the above concerns, Judge Richtel is considered to be a very good judge. In questionnaires, he was rated as follows: attorneys, 81.5% to retain; courthouse personnel, 66.7% to retain; law enforcement personnel, 100% to retain.
The 20th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Murray Richtel be Retained.