Romeo, Jeffrey 2008 Evaluation

Reports:

2008 Retention Survey Report

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The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Jeffrey L. Romeo BE RETAINED.

Judge Romeo graduated with honors from the University of Colorado, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1974 and a law degree in 1977. Before being appointed to the bench in 1990, Judge Romeo was a Deputy District Attorney in Adams County as well as a private practitioner. Judge Romeo has served as a County Court Judge for the past 18 years. For the last 6 years, his docket has been almost exclusively criminal in nature. He is the current Presiding Judge of the County Court. Judge Romeo is well regarded for efficient docket management.

The Commission interviewed Judge Romeo, observed him in court, reviewed written evaluations of him by attorneys as well as non-attorneys, and reviewed submissions of sample rulings issued from the bench. The Commission received some concerns about Judge Romeo’s demeanor, judicial temperament, and the perception by some that his sentences do not reflect equal treatment among all defendants. On the other hand, though, Judge Romeo indicated in both his self-evaluation and during his interview with the Commission that he tries to treat all persons who appear before him, as he would like to be treated himself. The sincerity of this statement was convincing in giving Judge Romeo a majority vote in favor of the recommendation for retention. However, the Commission strongly encourages Judge Romeo to review the findings of the 2008 Judicial Performance Survey and acknowledge the importance of the various objections and comments voiced by some respondents. Judge Romeo has assured the commission that he will redouble his efforts to make sure parties are not only treated fairly and equally, but feel that way upon leaving the courtroom. He intends to more thoroughly explain the basis for his rulings, especially when they involve issues which may be controversial or of first impression.

Despite some negative feedback from respondents in the 2008 Judicial Performance Survey, the overall response among both attorneys and non-attorneys was a B+. Of the attorney responses
received, 85% recommend retention while 15% do not recommend retention. Of the non-attorney responses received, 96% recommend retention while 4% do not recommend retention. Judge Romeo received markedly higher ratings from non-attorneys than attorneys.

The Commission recommends that Judge Romeo BE RETAINED.