Trujillo, Michael 1990 Evaluation

Twelfth Judicial District - Saguache County Court Judge

Honorable Michael H. Trujillo

Retention Year: 1990
Recommendation: Retain

Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained.

Judge Trujillo graduated from Adams State College with a major in business administration in 1971. He received his law degree from the University of Colorado in 1974 and was admitted to the bar in 1974. Prior to his appointment as a judge he worked at Arapahoe Supermarket and at Pleasant Lumber in Monte Vista. Trujillo is a part-time judge, working as a judge about one day a week. He spends the rest of his time as an attorney in private practice in Monte Vista.

Trujillo was appointed to the bench in 1975 and handles misdemeanors, DUIs, preliminary hearings for felonies, civil cases up to $5,000 and small claims court proceedings.

Trujillo believes one of the greatest strengths of the count court system is having a county judge in each county who know the pulse of the community and the circumstances of the people. He feels it is very important to have a prompt legal decision in a case and to make people wait for one. He further feels that it is important for judge to be patient. Trujillo understands the importance for being firm and generally will sentence people to jail on their second or third offense. He also feels it is important to treat people equally.

All of the groups surveyed returned questionnaires favorable to Trujillo. However, one respondent expressed concern the judge is not always firm about requiring people to follow through with orders of the court and is too lenient on granting continuances.