Timbreza, Lance 2018 Evaluation

Reports:
2018 Retention Survey Report

The Twenty-First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (9-0) agrees that Judge Lance Phillip Timbreza MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

Judge Timbreza was appointed to Mesa County District Court in July 2016. Prior to appointment, Judge Timbreza was in private practice in Grand Junction. Judge Timbreza received an undergraduate degree from Colorado Mesa University in 2002 and a law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2005. Judge Timbreza has served as president of the Mesa County Bar Association and is on the Colorado Bar Association’s executive council and board of governors. He is also Chair of the Colorado Bar Foundation’s board of trustees. Since becoming a judge, he has been very active in community service activities, guest lecturing at Colorado Mesa University and serving on the Boards of the Mesa County Pro Bono and Access to Justice Projects. He also coordinates the Western Slope High School Mock Trial Program.

The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Timbreza, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, reviewed comments received from interested parties during the evaluation, and reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Timbreza. The survey questions addressed integrity and fairness, legal knowledge, case and docket management, communication skill, and judicial temperament.  Among the non-attorneys surveyed, Judge Timbreza’s scores were higher than the average scores of other district judges statewide in all aspects. Among the attorneys surveyed, Judge Timbreza’s scores were higher than average in every aspect except “prompt issuance of decisions after trial.” Of the non-attorneys surveyed, 96% stated that Judge Timbreza meets performance standards. Of the attorneys surveyed, 94% stated that Judge Timbreza meets performance standards.

Although he has only been a judge for less than two years, Judge Timbreza is generally viewed as a very intelligent judge who gives fair and thoughtful rulings.  He is known for his calm judicial demeanor and his personality is consistently recognized as being well suited to the bench. Judge Timbreza presides over a mixed caseload of criminal, civil and family law cases.  In the past two years, there has been a significant increase in criminal felony filings.  This places an additional strain on the district court judges and certainly is partially accountable for Judge Timbreza’s below average scores for of issuing prompt rulings.  The commission discussed this shortcoming with Judge Timbreza and has every confidence that he will endeavor to make progress in this area.  Overall, Judge Timbreza is consistently rated as a tremendous addition to the Mesa County bench.