Second Judicial District - District - Juvenile Court Judge
Honorable Orrelle R. Weeks
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Orrelle R. Weeks BE RETAINED.
Judge Weeks was appointed to the Denver Juvenile Court bench in May 1973. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Weeks practiced as one of the first women Deputy Denver District Attorneys, where she specialized in juvenile law, and then served as a Magistrate in the Denver Juvenile Court. Judge Weeks received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado Law School in 1962. Judge Weeks hears all types of juvenile cases.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Weeks from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Weeks and conducted a personal interview with Judge Weeks.
Judge Weeks assists in the development of treatment resources and new programs for juvenile offenders, such as Vision Quest, which is a program to work intensively with children and their families and an alternative school. She also works to promote interagency cooperation to improve the juvenile justice system and encourages community involvement in the juvenile justice system. Examples are new programs which have been developed for the rising number of teen parents. Judge Weeks' judicial philosophy includes being a professional decision-maker and a public servant; applying the law to the facts as she determines the facts to be from the evidence; and making a fair and just determination within the framework of the law and with a neutral frame of mind, regardless of which party may be favorably or adversely affected. Judge Weeks enjoys reading, travelling, music, theater and walking her dog.
Judge Weeks received high ratings from both attorneys and non-attorneys in virtually every category, particularly in the areas of being courteous; treating all parties equally; communicating clearly, thoroughly and in a well-reasoned manner; maintaining proper judicial temperament; correctly applying the law; and performing with diligence, efficiency and minimal delay. Of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 80% recommended that Judge Weeks be retained in office, 0% recommended that she not be retained, and 20% had no opinion. Of the non-attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 74% recommended retention, 13% recommended non-retention, and 13% had no opinion.