Currently, there are three non-attorney - or "lay" - judges, all of whom sit on county courts in the Eastern Plains.Īlvin "Al" Lutz, a former banking executive, received an appointment as a part-time Hinsdale County Court judge in 2005 and served until 2020. Although the judges will handle first appearances of defendants in criminal felony cases, all appearances for misdemeanor and traffic offenses and civil cases with disputes up to $25,000, being a lawyer is not a requirement for the job.Ī spokesperson for the Judicial Department said that in the least populated counties, judges need only have a high school education or equivalent. There is training for new judges, but it does not always happen immediately. "That gets a lot of points."Īll of the open county court positions are part-time, with Ouray County comprising a 20% position, Conejos County at 40%, and 55% for Rio Grande County. People who come in with a really strong 'why' and a really strong purpose, and that connection to our community - it doesn’t look like they're flying in to get a judgeship or get a notch under their belt," Valenti said. "I think the connection to the community is something that really comes up behind closed doors a lot. Jimy Valenti, a deputy public defender who sits on the 12th Judicial District's nominating commission, said that the volunteer commissions are not "out to get" anyone, but to find the best two or three candidates to recommend. The goal is to let applicants hear from chief judges about the culture of their judicial districts and to learn about the application process, which culminates in an appointment by the governor.Īs part of the protocol, commissions of attorneys and non-attorneys screen applicants, interview candidates, and forward their recommendations to Gov. The discussion was part of an initiative from Lee's office to provide information to interested attorneys about judicial vacancies in rural parts of Colorado. "Obviously, you're the judge, so you ultimately make the decision, but they’re here to help you and support you." Most judges are very easy to access," he said. "There are people around you to provide support. Gonzales of the 12th Judicial District said the new county judges can expect to spend 60% of their time on criminal matters, and handling civil, traffic and protection order cases during the remainder.
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