Seventeenth Judicial District - Adams County Court Judge
Honorable Jeffrey L. Romeo
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
Although the Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Jeffrey L. Romeo BE RETAINED, some commission members voted not to retain or expressed no opinion. The reasons for the Commission's lack of unanimity are set forth below.
Judge Romeo has served as a County Court Judge in Adams County since 1990. The majority of Judge Romeo's cases involve criminal and domestic violence cases. Judge Romeo estimates that approximately 90% of his caseload is criminal. Of 128 surveys mailed, 49 were returned. Of the 14 surveys returned by non-attorneys, 79 % recommended retention, 14% recommended against retention, and 7% had no opinion. Of the 35 surveys returned by attorneys, 70% recommended retention, 21% recommended against retention, and 9% had no opinion. Due to the small size of the survey, the Commission placed less reliance on the survey results.
In addition to survey results, the Commission also reviewed written comments submitted by attorneys and non-attorneys on an anonymous basis and requested interviews with attorneys who are heavily involved in appearing in cases before Judge Romeo. Several comments, written and verbal, were critical of Judge Romeo's demeanor, judicial temperament, willingness to accept criticism, and willingness to follow adverse decisions of the District Court. Other comments were favorable. Judge Romeo has accepted responsibility for the negative perception expressed by a number of attorneys and parties and has proposed a number of steps including additional training to remedy these concerns.