Fifteenth Judicial District - Prowers County Court Judge
Honorable Larry E. Stutler
Retention Year: 2002
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Fifteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Larry E. Stutler BE RETAINED.
Judge Stutler was appointed to the Prowers County Court bench on November 1, 1995. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Stutler was in private practice in Lamar specializing in general civil and criminal litigation with some background in real estate and estates. Judge Stutler received his undergraduate degree from the University of Denver in Colorado and his law degree from the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder. Judge Stutler hears civil, traffic, misdemeanor and traffic infraction cases as the Prowers County Judge.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Stutler from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires. The Commission considered a written self-evaluation of Judge Stutler and conducted a public hearing to receive comments from the general public. The Commission also conducted a personal interview with Judge Stutler.
Judge Stutler has great respect for the judicial system and views his role as a judge to find and apply the law evenly without being guided by biases or stereotypes. He recognizes he must be firm and let attorneys, defendants and litigants know that court orders must be obeyed. At the same time, he realizes he must balance and exercise his authority with understanding, compassion and courtesy. Judge Stutler fully understands his strengths as a judge and is constantly seeking knowledge to improve his weaknesses. Judge Stutler also contributes to the community by serving as a Trustee of the Weitgenant Charitable Trust.
Judge Stutler received high ratings from both attorneys and non-attorneys, particularly in the areas of courtesy and treating all parties equally regardless of race, age, gender and social/economic status. Judge Stutler was ranked high on providing written and verbal communications that are clear, thorough and well reasoned. Of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 80% recommended Judge Stutler be retained while 20% recommended that he not be retained. Of the non-attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 86% recommended retention, 9% recommended non-retention and 5% had no opinion.