Eighth Judicial District - Larimer County Court Judge
Honorable Ronald L. Schultz
Retention Year: 2012
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2012 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2011 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
2009 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Eighth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends by a vote of 7-3 that Judge Ronald L. Schultz BE RETAINED.
Judge Schultz received his bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and his law degree from the University of Denver College of Law. He was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 1967. Judge Schultz was appointed to the Larimer County Court in 1974. He was in private practice from 1967 to 1971 and in the Denver City Attorney’s Office. In 1971 he became the Chief Deputy District Attorney for the Eighth Judicial District in Fort Collins and continued until appointed to the bench.
The Commission reviewed evaluation surveys, letters submitted by individuals, and the judge’s self-evaluation and written opinions; performed courtroom observations; interviewed representatives of the District Attorney and Public Defender Offices; and conducted an interview with Judge Schultz. The survey results were mixed. Judge Schultz ratings from non-attorneys were significantly higher than attorneys who rated him. Attorneys rated Judge Schultz lower than the other county judges facing retention in the categories of case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, demeanor, and diligence. However, non-attorneys rated Judge Schultz higher than other county judges facing retention in the categories of demeanor, communications, diligence, and the same in application of the law. Judge Schultz’s weakness is his lack of knowledge of some areas of law, rules of evidence, case management and procedure.
Of all attorneys surveyed about retention 54% recommended to retain, 42% not to retain, and 4% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not to retain, 56% recommended to retain and 44% not to retain. Of all non-attorney’s surveyed, 86% recommended to retain, 8% not to
retain, and 6% were undecided or didn’t have enough information to make a recommendation. Of those expressing an opinion to retain or not retain, 91% recommended to retain and 9% not to retain.