Ninth Judicial District - Pitkin County Court Judge
Honorable Fitzhugh Scott III
Retention Year: 1998
Recommendation: Retain
The Ninth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Fitzhugh Scott, III BE RETAINED.
Judge Scott was appointed as County Judge for Pitkin County in 1980. Judge Scott is a most courteous and polite judge. He has been found to be so by polling of the community and from comments gathered in the questionnaires. Voting for Judge Scott to be retained as County Court Judge has in the past been overwhelming, a far higher rate than any Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court. Clearly the Pitkin County community is satisfied with its County Judge. This fact bears significant weight with the Commission.
The Commission finds Judge Scott to be a capable, intelligent, and compassionate judge, with experience and knowledge of the law. 92.5% of attorneys recommended that Judge Scott be retained. The favorable qualifications and notably pleasant personality of Judge Scott do not create a unanimous or an across-the-board recommendation. Judge Scott has been criticized for not always speaking clearly and making himself understood, and also for occasions of tardiness. These areas - communication skills and diligence, need improvement.
Some members of the Commission brought forward a continuing concern with a perceived indifference towards some law enforcement agencies on alcohol related driving offenses. Notwithstanding this area of concern, the Commission recommends the retention of Judge Scott, particularly noting that he reflects his community in Pitkin County.
Percentage rates for the retention of Judge Scott are: Attorneys 92.5%, Court Personnel 75.0%, Law Enforcement Personnel 54.2%, Jurors 100% and Litigants 75.0%.
A majority of the Ninth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Fitzhugh Scott III be retained in office.