Seventh Judicial District - Ouray County Court Judge
Honorable Paul David SmithÂ
Retention Year: 1998
Recommendation: Retain
The Seventh Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Paul David Smith BE RETAINED.
Judge Smith was appointed County Judge of Ouray County in January 1980. Prior to this appointment he served as Ouray Municipal Judge and was an attorney in private practice. Judge Smith's caseload is apportioned: 60% traffic, 15% civil, 10% misdemeanor, 10% miscellaneous, and 5% felony complaints.
Judge Smith strives to keep abreast of the law in a community that lacks readily available legal library resources. In his 18 years on the bench he has only been overturned once on appeal. Judge Smith attempts to follow general guidelines and standards for sentencing but treats each case in his court on its merits.
Comments solicited from attorneys, court personnel and citizens that have appeared in his court, were very favorable towards Judge Smith's performance. Participants in the survey commented favorable on Judge Smith's professional approach. Some complaints were voiced about delays in court sessions. Judge Smith explained that he frequently delays the beginning of sessions to allow participants an opportunity to reach the isolated community of Ouray. Attorney evaluations showed that 87% believed Judge Smith should be retained. Non-attorney evaluation responses were small in number but showed similarly strong support for retention.
The Seventh Judicial District Judicial Performance Review Commission unanimously recommends that Judge Paul David Smith be retained.