Stephen J. Schapanski
| Stephen J. Schapanski | |
 | |
| Current Court Information: | |
| Colorado Eighth Judicial District | |
| Title: | Chief Judge |
| Service: | |
| Appointed by: | Gov. Bill Ritter |
| Active: | 2007-2016 |
| Past post: | Eighth District Magistrate |
| Past term: | 1993-2007 |
| Personal History | |
| Undergraduate: | University of Notre Dame, 1971 |
| Law School: | Valparaiso University School of Law, 1974 |
Contents |
Stephen J. Schapanski is the chief judge for the Eighth Judicial District in Colorado. The Eighth District serves Jackson and Larimer counties. He was appointed to this court by Gov. Ritter on June 29, 2007. He was appointed Chief Judge of the 8th District on August 1, 2009.[1] He was retained in 2010 to a six year term that ends on December 31, 2016.[2][3]
Education
Schapanski graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in 1971. He then received his J.D. degree from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1974.[1]
Legal career
Schapanski worked as a private practice lawyer in Fort Collins, Colorado from 1974 to 1993. He then worked as a Magistrate in the 8th Judicial District until he was appointed a District Court Judge in 2007.[1]
2010 election
Schapanski was retained with 68.25% of the vote in 2010.[3][4]
- Main article: Colorado judicial elections, 2010
Retention recommendation
Schapanski is recommended for retention by the Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation.
- Read the performance review here.
Notable rulings
Balloon boy
Schapanski issued the ruling in the "balloon boy" hoax. The case was against a father, Richard Heene, who in October of 2009 falsely reported his 6-year-old son was aloft in an escaped balloon. Judge Schapanski sentenced Heene to 90 days divided between jail time and work release. Mayumi Heene, the wife in the case, was sentenced to 20 days in jail. Her sentence will not begin until the husband has served his time, to ensure that their children will have a parent at home. [5]
External links
References
