Eighteenth Judicial District - Elbert County Court Judge
Honorable Kevin Sidel
Retention Year: 2006
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2006 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
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The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Kevin Sidel BE RETAINED.
The Elbert County Courthouse, located in Kiowa, has experienced major construction problems and, as a result, has been closed twice for a total of 11 months over the past 22 months. It is uncertain when the courthouse will reopen. This has been challenging for Judge Sidel and also for the Elbert County citizens since Court business must be conducted at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in the agricultural center or at the Douglas County Courthouse in Castle Rock. Judge Sidel has always been very accommodating and patient with this extremely difficult situation. This Commission very much appreciates Judge Sidel’s substantial efforts to assist the people of Elbert County with dignity and grace.
Judge Sidel graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981 and Northeastern University School of Law in 1988. He was a former Deputy District Attorney for Douglas County prior to being appointed to the bench. He has served on the bench in Elbert County for 11 years and presently hears traffic, felony, misdemeanor and civil cases as a part-time judge. Judge Sidel, when he is away from the bench, performs alternative dispute resolution and domestic relations mediation work, and is also the Municipal Court Judge in Parker.
The Commission conducts extensive research in making this recommendation, including use of surveys conducted on the judge, a self-evaluation written by the judge, interviews with people involved in the courtroom, and personal observations in the courtroom.
Judge Sidel exceeded almost all County Court judges in the attorneys’ survey of his abilities and from the non-attorneys’ survey he received excellent reviews for his communication skills and his diligence.
The Commission finds that Judge Sidel is an excellent judge and should be retained.