Survey Criteria

The Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission has a statutory duty to conduct surveys about judges' performance, based on the following criteria:

Legal ability, including the following:

  • demonstration of understanding of the substantive law and any relevant rules of procedure and evidence;
  • attentiveness to factual and legal issues before the court;
  • adherence to precedent and ability to clearly explain departures from precedent; and
  • grasp of the practical impact on the parties of the judge's rulings, including the effect of delay and increased litigation expense;
  • ability to write clear judicial opinions; and
  • ability to clearly explain the legal basis for judicial opinions;

Judicial temperament and integrity, including the following:

  • demonstration of courtesy toward attorneys, court staff, and others in the judge's court;
  • maintenance of decorum in the courtroom;
  • demonstration of judicial demeanor and personal attributes that promote public trust and confidence in the judicial system;
  • preparedness for oral argument;
  • avoidance of impropriety or the appearance of impropriety;
  • display of fairness and impartiality toward all parties; and
  • ability to clearly communicate, including the ability to explain the basis for written rulings, court procedures, and decisions; and

Administrative performance, including the following:

  • management of workload;
  • sharing proportionally the workload within the court or district; and
  • issuance of opinions and orders without unnecessary delay.

If the commission determines that a certain survey question or category of questions is not appropriate for a respondent group, the commission may omit that question or category of questions from the survey provided to that respondent group.

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