Twelfth Judicial District - Mineral County Court Judge
Honorable Robert M. Wardell
Retention Year: 1992
Recommendation: Retain
Judge Robert Wardell has been the County Court Judge for Mineral County, Colorado, for the last 27 years, having been appointed in January 1965. He graduated from Creede Public Schools in 1955 and attended Texas Western and Howard County Junior College between 1956 and 1957. He served two years in the United States Army and was employed by the Emperius Mining Company in Creede, Colorado, for approximately 12 years. He attended the National Judicial College in 1985 at Reno, Nevada.
As Mineral County Court Judge, Judge Wardell is responsible for presiding over traffic cases, misdemeanors, petty offenses, felony preliminary hearings, small claims and civil matters not exceeding $10,000.
Although Judge Wardell does not have a law degree, his extensive experience in Mineral County as well as other 12th Judicial District county courts has enable him to accumulate a great deal of understanding of the legal system and compassion for those involved in it. Whenever necessary he consults with other judges and faithfully attends the annual judicial conferences and other training sessions for county court judges.
The Commission was impressed by the many favorable ratings and comments given by most of the respondents, including law enforcement personnel, attorneys, litigants, and court personnel. Based on a personal interview with Judge Wardell and the overwhelming positive responses to questionnaires sent to various community members, it is felt that whatever technical deficiency the lack of a law degree presents, it is more than compensated for by Judge Wardell’s fairness, compassion, and eagerness to learn as much about his position as possible.
The 12th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Robert M. Wardell be Retained.