Fourth Judicial District - El Paso County Court Judge
Honorable Regina M. Walter
Retention Year: 2010
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by a unanimous vote of 8-0, recommends that Judge Regina Walter BE RETAINED. Two Commissioners were absent.
Judge Walter graduated from Colorado College in 1980, and then earned her law degree from the University of Tulsa in 1983. Judge Walter is active in the community, volunteering her time with high school forensics and mock trial programs. In addition, she has conducted many continuing legal educations on diversity issues. While serving as a magistrate Judge Walter won the State of Colorado Outstanding Judicial Officer of the Year in 1997. She also has served as Co-Chair of the Fourth Judicial District Best Practices Court Steering Committee.
Judge Walter, prior to her appointment to the County Court bench, served as a Juvenile Magistrate for over 20 years. Previous to that position she has served as a Public Defender and then was in private practice. Judge Walter’s docket is primarily misdemeanors and traffic cases, but also includes roughly 10% civil matters.
The Commission considered survey data and comments, an interview of Judge Walter, courtroom observations, case management data and Judge Walter’s self-evaluation. Judge Walter’s survey scores, both attorney and non-attorney were below the statewide average for all county court judges, although the non-attorney scores were only slightly below average. Two particular attorney-survey categories were significantly below that statewide average: application and knowledge of the law, and demeanor. However, Judge Walter is committed to learning areas of the law on which she had no recent experience prior to her appointment to the bench. Judge Walter received many positive survey comments for her control of her courtroom and for her fairness and compassion.
Of all attorneys surveyed about retention, 62% recommended to retain, 24% not to retain, and 15% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 73% recommended to retain and 28% not to retain. Of all non-attorneys surveyed, 70% recommended to retain, 14% not to retain, and 15% expressed no opinion. Excluding those who had no opinion, 83% recommended to retain and 18% not to retain. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)