Sixteenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Samuel Scott Vigil
Retention Year: 2024
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standards
Reports:
2024 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2023 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Sixteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 5-0, with four absent and one vacancy, that Judge Samuel Scott Vigil MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Vigil presides over civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and criminal matters in Otero, Bent and Crowley County, Colorado. His courtroom demeanor is consistently respectful and patient, creating a conducive environment for all parties. His written orders are comprehensive and well-reasoned, demonstrating a deep understanding of complex legal issues. Judge Vigil's command of the courtroom and docket control are exemplary, ensuring efficient and fair proceedings. Commission members observed these qualities during their evaluation and interview. The Commission appreciates Judge Vigil’s commitment to always improving through his continued education and constantly asking for feedback and incorporating that feedback. Based on these findings, the Commission unanimously agreed that Judge Samuel Vigil meets performance standards.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Vigil, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, reviewed a self-evaluation survey, and reviewed judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had interacted in Judge Vigil’s court. Among the survey questions asked, one was, “Based on your responses to the previous questions related to the performance evaluation criteria, do you think Judge Vigil meets judicial performance standards?” Of the attorneys responding to the survey, 100% answered yes. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 88% answered yes. A total of eight attorneys and seven non-attorneys responded to the judicial performance surveys expressing their opinion of Judge Vigil.
Judge Vigil has been appointed to the District Court since 2022. Prior to his appointment as District Court Judge, he served as Bent County Court Judge since February 2013, and as District Court Magistrate since November 2020. Judge Vigil earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Robert O. Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico and his Juris Doctor (JD) from Tulane University Law School. Prior to appointment to the District Court bench, Judge Vigil served as a Deputy District Attorney for the 16th Judicial District’s District Attorney’s Office. Upon being appointed as a part-time County Court Judge in February 2013, Judge Vigil established and maintained a private practice in Las Animas focusing on local government representation and representation of indigent parents through the Office of Respondent Parent Counsel. Judge Vigil also served as Bent County Attorney, City Attorney for the City of Las Animas, Special County Attorney for Prowers County Department of Human Services and represented several Special Districts.