Fourth Judicial District - El Paso County Court Judge
Honorable Stephen J. Sletta
Retention Year: 2010
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by a unanimous vote of 8-0, recommends that Judge Stephen J. Sletta BE RETAINED. Two Commissioners were absent.
Judge Sletta was appointed to the El Paso County Court in 1991. He served as the Presiding County Court Judge from 1993 to 1998. Judge Sletta hears mostly misdemeanor criminal, civil, and traffic cases. Judge Sletta was raised in Colorado Springs and graduated from Colorado College. He received his law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law and was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 1975. He was in private practice for fifteen years before his appointment to the bench.
The Commission based its recommendation on the results of 239 detailed surveys completed by prosecutors, defense attorneys, civil attorneys, law enforcement officers, court employees, defendants, jurors, and others who have appeared in Judge Sletta’s court. In addition, the Commission interviewed Judge Sletta, observed him in the courtroom, and reviewed a self-evaluation completed by Judge Sletta.
Judge Sletta’s scores from attorneys and non-attorneys alike were consistently above the statewide average for county court judges. He received positive scores for his demeanor, knowledge of the law, and communication skills. Judge Sletta is also widely respected by his fellow judges, and often sought out for advice by newer judges. Judge Sletta is active in some forms of public service and is working to become more involved in the broader community.
Of all attorney’s surveyed about retention, 99% recommended to retain and 2% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 100% recommended to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 87% recommended to retain, 4% not to retain, and 9% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 95% recommended to retain and 5% not to retain. (The percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.) The survey consisted of 29 attorneys and 220 non-attorneys.