Eighteenth Judicial District - Arapahoe County Court Judge
Honorable Darren Louis Vahle
Retention Year: 2014
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
2014 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2013 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
2011 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Darren Louis Vahle BE RETAINED.
Judge Vahle was appointed as an Arapahoe County Court judge in the Eighteenth Judicial District in June 2008. Judge Vahle earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Westmont College in 1991 and his law degree from the University of Denver, College of Law in 1996. Judge Vahle served as a Senior Deputy District Attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial District prior to his appointment to the bench. Judge Vahle speaks to high school students about the court system and the pursuit of academic excellence. He has served as a judge for High School Mock Trial Competitions. He often volunteers to greet jurors at the courthouse.
The Commission conducted a personal interview of Judge Vahle, reviewed surveys sent to attorneys and non-attorneys, conducted interviews with people involved in the courtroom, reviewed Judge Vahle’s personal self-evaluation, as well as personal observations of Judge Vahle in the courtroom. Of the 107 surveys on Judge Vahle returned by attorneys, he received high marks for case management, knowledge of the law, communication, demeanor and diligence; among non-attorneys, he received well above average scores on each of those categories. Of the attorneys surveyed, 75% recommended that Judge Vahle be retained, 15% recommended not to retain and 9% had no recommendation. Of the 199 non-attorneys surveyed, 95% recommended retention, 3% recommended that he not be retained, and 3% had no recommendation. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)
Judge Vahle presides over traffic and misdemeanor cases. In the courtroom he conducts himself in a highly professional manner. He treats all parties with dignity, respect, and kindness. He is efficient and manages his docket well. His knowledge of the law is very good. He maintains a sense of calmness in his courtroom. He listens to all parties, and is fair and consistent when handing out a sentence. The Commission finds that Judge Darren Vahle is a dedicated and fair judge who should be retained on the bench.