Thirteenth Judicial District - Yuma County Court Judge
Honorable Sara M. Wagers-Johnson
Retention Year: 2010
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
Need an accessible PDF Document version?
Please click on the link below and email our staff
The Thirteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Sara M. Wagers-Johnson BE RETAINED.
Since 2003 Judge Wagers-Johnson has maintained a general civil practice in Wray, Colorado emphasizing real estate, estate planning and administration and business entities. She graduated in the top ten percent of her class from the University of Denver, College of Law in 2001. Professional memberships include serving as Chair of Agriculture and Rural Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association. Community activities include board membership of the Wray Education Foundation; and memberships in the Yuma County Child Protection Team, Pheasants Forever, Wray Rehabilitation and Athletic Center; and providing pro bono legal services and advice in the community.
Judge Wagers-Johnson was appointed to the Yuma County Court bench September 1, 2006. She is a part-time judge and presides over civil, traffic and misdemeanor cases. She has also served as Municipal Court Judge for the municipalities of Wray, Yuma and Eckley, Colorado since 2005.
The Commission reviewed the results of surveys regarding Judge Wagers-Johnson from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written comments from both groups. The Commission also interviewed Judge Wagers-Johnson and considered the judge’s written self-evaluation. Survey respondents gave Judge Wagers-Johnson acceptable ratings in all areas: management, knowledge of the law, communications, demeanor, and diligence. Strengths were reported to include fairness, personable demeanor and knowledge of the law. Judge Wagers-Johnson reviewed the results of the survey prior to the Commission’s interview and was very open in speaking about areas in which she plans to improve:
speaking louder, being more professional in her appearance, and conducting court in a more formal manner.
Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 75% recommended to retain, 17% not to retain, and 8% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 82% recommended to retain and 18% not to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 73% recommended to retain, 16% not to retain, and 11% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 82% recommended to retain and 17% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)