Second Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Elizabeth Anne Starrs
Retention Year: 2014
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard
Reports:
2014 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
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The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, on a vote of 10-0, recommends that Judge Elizabeth Anne Starrs BE RETAINED.
The governor appointed Elizabeth Anne Starrs to the bench in July 2012. Before her appointment, Judge Starrs was an attorney in private practice running her own firm. Judge Starrs earned an undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Michigan in 1975 and her law degree from Suffolk University in 1980.
The Commission reviewed survey results of attorneys and non-attorneys who have appeared in her courtroom and two of Judge Starrs’ written opinions. Selected members of the Commission observed the behavior of Judge Starrs in court. The Commission then interviewed Judge Starrs. Members of the Commission reviewed survey results from attorneys and non-attorneys. Of the attorneys responding to the survey, 82% recommended to retain, 7% not to retain, and 12% expressed no opinion regarding retention. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 67% recommended to retain, 21not to retain, and 13% expressed no opinion regarding retention. (These percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.)
Judge Starrs received an overall combined average rating which exceeded the average combined rating of all district court judges standing for retention. Her marks in case management, demeanor, and communications among attorney respondents were higher than other district court judges, whereas her scores for diligence and application of the law were average or slightly higher. Non-Attorney surveys rated Judge Starrs higher than average for fairness, communication, and demeanor. Her scores for diligence and application of the law were average or slightly below average. During her interview with the commission, Judge Starrs indicated she wished to improve her survey results in the future. Numerous written comments indicate Judge Starrs has an excellent courtroom demeanor, is fair, and exhibits good docket management.