Fourth Judicial District - El Paso County Court Judge
Honorable Stephen J. Sletta
Retention Year: 1998
Recommendation: Retain
The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Stephen J. Sletta BE RETAINED.
Judge Sletta was appointed to the El Paso County Court in 1991. He served as Presiding County Court Judge from 1993 to 1998. Judge Sletta's docket is mostly civil cases with the majority involving traffic violations and misdemeanor charges. Judge Sletta is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Law, has been a member of the Colorado Bar since 1975, and worked in private practice for fifteen years before his appointment to the bench.
Judge Sletta is supported by court personnel and law enforcement for retention. His strongest support comes from jurors due to his courteous demeanor, his willingness to hear complicated and time-consuming cases, and his knowledge of the law. Attorneys rated Judge Sletta high in many areas including his ability to treat all parties fairly, his professional demeanor, and his consistency in following legal precedent and applying the correct interpretation of the law. Judge Sletta manages a busy docket with minimal delay.
Survey comments stated that he is "innovative and insight(ful)" and that he is a "good judge (who is) level headed and professional." In his self-evaluation, Judge Sletta states that "given the general pro se nature of county court, I want to try (to) resolve the cases promptly, make realistic decisions, and keep people accountable to their sentences."
Written survey results showed that 97% of jurors, 79% of attorneys, 72% of law enforcement personnel, and 68% of court personnel favored retention.