magistrate judge
-
2 federal judges pitch lawyers on benefits of handing cases over to magistrate judges
—
by
Two of Colorado’s federal district judges, speaking on Tuesday about why lawyers should consent to having magistrate judges handle more cases, said they were disturbed that barely more than a dozen attorneys showed up. “We’re concerned even about this turnout for two (district) judges speaking,” said U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney at a…
-
Federal judges clarify behind-the-scenes interactions, warn about incentives of motions backlog data
—
by
Two members of Colorado’s federal bench spoke on Thursday about the ways in which district judges and magistrate judges interact without compromising each other’s independence, plus they delivered a warning about how the public disclosure of docket data can create problematic incentives to deciding cases. Most civil cases in Colorado’s federal trial court are assigned…
-
Colorado’s federal judges slash motions backlog, with a little outside help
—
by
Data released last month by the federal judiciary showed that several of Colorado’s federal trial judges successfully reduced or even eliminated the volume of motions pending for six months or longer on their dockets. The Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990 requires public reporting of motions awaiting action for more than six months in civil matters assigned to…
-
Colorado’s federal trial court selects 2 new magistrate judges
—
by
Colorado’s federal trial court announced on Monday that it has named public defender Timothy P. O’Hara and prosecutor Cyrus Y. Chung to be its newest magistrate judges, filling one current and one pending vacancy. Unlike district judges, who the president nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms, magistrate judges serve eight-year terms following an appointment by…
-
The ‘first third’: Kato Crews ceremonially sworn in as federal judge
—
by
President Joe Biden’s first four appointments to Colorado’s federal trial court were “firsts” of one kind or another. But S. Kato Crews, Biden’s latest appointee to the U.S. District Court, said on Friday that he proudly thinks of himself as the “first third” — the third consecutive magistrate judge elevated to a lifetime appointment and the third…
-

Colorado’s federal magistrate judges unveil standardized courtroom procedures for first time
—
by
Colorado’s federal magistrate judges presented their proposal for a first-ever set of joint courtroom procedures to an audience of lawyers last week, and emphasized litigants will get a speedier resolution to their case if they agree to let a magistrate judge handle it. Several months after a group of life-tenured district judges on Colorado’s federal…
-
Colorado’s federal magistrate judges unveil standardized courtroom procedures for first time
—
by
Colorado’s federal magistrate judges presented their proposal for a first-ever set of joint courtroom procedures to an audience of lawyers last week, and emphasized litigants will get a speedier resolution to their case if they agree to let a magistrate judge handle it. Several months after a group of life-tenured district judges on Colorado’s federal…
-

‘A matter of survival’: Charlotte Sweeney explains judges’ attempts to stay ahead of workload at federal court
—
by
U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney told an audience of lawyers on Wednesday about the reasons judicial decisions may take a long time, what she is doing to fix that, and how Colorado’s federal trial court may respond in the future to bad behavior among some practitioners. Sweeney also disclosed that further personnel changes…
-

Kansas judge to pitch in on Coloado’s federal court during vacancy
—
by
Toto, he’s not in Kansas anymore. Colorado’s federal trial court announced this week that retired U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. O’Hara of Kansas will be filling in, while a committee screens candidates for a vacancy on the magistrate judge bench. Earlier this month, senators confirmed S. Kato Crews to be a life-tenured district judge, restoring…
-

Colorado leader survives ‘no confidence’ vote, 5 federal judges stand out with delays in deciding motions, Army veteran joins 5th CD race | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
—
by
Today is Jan. 23, 2024, and here’s what you need to know: Colorado Republican Leader Mike Lynch of Wellington survived a vote of “no confidence” on Monday, but the drama that unfolded in the state House might not be over yet. The House GOP caucus held a special meeting to vote on a resolution of…




