Eighteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Robert H. Russell II
Retention Year: 2006
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2006 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
Need an accessible PDF Document version?
Please click on the link below and email our staff
The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Robert H. Russell II BE RETAINED.
His current caseload consists of domestic relations cases and a small portion of criminal cases. Judge Russell has had substantial experience rotating through both civil and criminal courts over his years of service. Judge Russell has distinguished himself as former President of the Arapahoe County Bar Association and has undertaken numerous other leadership positions including the counseling and mentoring of new judges and attorneys. This is Judge Russell’s third review. The survey ratings indicated consistently that Judge Russell was rated well above other judges in areas of application and knowledge of the law, communications, demeanor and temperament, fairness. The Commission agreed with the public comments that said that Judge Russell brings a sense of dignity and respect for the law and parties that appear before him. All prior reviews have resulted in a favorable vote for retention.
The Commission conducts extensive research in making this recommendation, including use of surveys conducted on the judge, interviews with people involved in the courtroom, and personal observations in the courtroom.
Judge Russell received his law degree from the University of Puget Sound School of Law in 1975 while serving in the U.S. Air Force, from which he retired in August 1984 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of service. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1963. Judge Russell was appointed District Judge in August 1998. Prior to that appointment, he served in Arapahoe County Court from June 1989. His initial appointment to the bench was as an Arapahoe County Magistrate in October 1985, after serving in the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s office and in private practice.
In surveys of non-attorneys, such as jurors, law enforcement officers, and court personnel, 86% recommended retention of Judge Russell, 14% did not. He received excellent ratings for courtesy, impartiality and knowledge and application of the law. He was given excellent
ratings also on demeanor, fairness, communication skills, diligence, and knowledge of the law. The attorney surveys indicated 93% believe Judge Russell should be retained, and 7% did not.
The Commission finds that Judge Russell is an outstanding Judge and should be retained.