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Tallman, P. Douglas 1998 Evaluation

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Fifteenth Judicial District - Cheyenne County Court Judge

Honorable P. Douglas Tallman

Retention Year: 1998
Recommendation: Retain

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The Fifteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge P. Douglas Tallman BE RETAINED.

Judge Tallman took his oath of office as Cheyenne County, Colorado judge in April 1987. Judge Tallman does not practice law, but did acquire his law degree from the University of Denver in 1973. The State of Colorado considers Judge Tallman a 20 percent full time judge, presiding over approximately 600 cases per year. Judge Tallman is otherwise engaged in full time farming, and also coaches the Cheyenne Wells Colorado High School basketball team.

The 15th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance interviewed Judge Tallman without benefit of statistical analysis of attorney/litigant/staff surveys since the results of those surveys have not been provided by the State of Colorado. However, the members of the Commission have relied upon information gathered during Judge Tallman's interview, and upon information known to Commission members. Notwithstanding the lack of statistical information, the Commission is prepared to report its recommendation.

Judge Tallman's docket is comprised of approximately 80% traffic cases, including DUI's; 10% misdemeanor criminal cases; 5% domestic violence cases; and 5% civil and small claims cases.

Judge Tallman lists as one of his strengths his ability to patiently apply the law to the facts before him. Judge Tallman also feels that his community involvement is a positive factor that he brings to the bench. As his weakness, Judge Tallman believes that he could be more familiar with substantive and procedural aspects of the law.

Judge Tallman enjoys being involved in most aspects of the law - interaction with attorneys, staff, law enforcement and litigants - as well as the challenge of staying abreast of current legal developments. He expresses some frustration with growing administrative requirements and the lack of resources to deal with those mandates.

Both lay and attorney participants on the Commission find that Judge Tallman is an excellent judge, with appropriate demeanor, knowledge of substantive and procedural law, and a wealth of business, personal and civic experience that he brings to his position.