Michael Spear
| Michael Spear | |
 | |
| Current Court Information: | |
| Colorado Eighteenth Judicial District | |
| Title: | Judge |
| Service: | |
| Active: | 2003-2018 |
| Past position: | Attorney, private practice |
| Personal History | |
| Home State: | Colorado |
| Bachelors: | University of Colorado, 1982 |
| Law School: | University of Denver, 1990 |
| Candidate 2012: | |
| Candidate for: | Eighteenth Judicial District |
| State: | Colorado |
| Election information 2012: | |
| Incumbent: | Yes |
| Election date: | 11/6/2012 |
| Retention vote: | 233,065 |
| Retention vote %: | 67.12%  |
Michael Spear is a judge for the Colorado Eighteenth Judicial District Court. He has served in this position since February 14, 2003.[1]
Education
Spear received his undergraduate degree in International Studies and German from the University of Colorado in 1982 and his law degree from the University of Denver in 1990.[1]
Legal career
Spear began his career as a law clerk for Judge Michael Watanabe. Two years later, he joined the 18th Judicial District Attorneys Office. He then worked as a trial attorney for the firm of Varnell & Associates until his judicial appointment in 2003.[1]
Elections
2012 election
Spear was retained in the general election on November 6, winning 67.12% of the vote. [2]
- See also: Colorado judicial elections, 2012
Judicial performance evaluation
The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance announced its recommendations for judges up for retention in 2012. According to its website, the commission evaluates judges based on the following criteria: integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, and administrative performance. [3]
Criticism of process
There are critics of the state's method for evaluating judges. The most common complaint is that the evaluations are simply "rubber stamps" for judges standing for retention. To learn more about this viewpoint, read: The Denver Post, "Evaluating the performance of justices," February 15, 2010.
Judge Spear was recommended for retention by an unanimous vote. [4]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Official biography of Judge Michael Spear
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, 2012 Official General Election Results
- ↑ Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation, Press Release: Judge Evaluations Available on Internet August 7
- ↑ Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation, Michael J. Spear
