2024 retention · District Court · 16th Judicial District
89 percentile · rank 6 of 52
composite 0100
88 percentile · rank 13 of 107
composite 0100
18 3rd percentile among peers · 14th percentile statewide
14112
Composite index 90.06 among peers (84.89 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.50 of 4 · 84.62 percentile
2.303.80
3.57 of 4 · 90.38 percentile
2.273.80
100.00% 95.19 percentile
29.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 100.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 88.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.50median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.50median 3.10 | 3.10 | |
| Communications | 3.60median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Diligence | 3.50median 3.20 | 3.20 | |
| Demeanor | 3.60median 3.20 | 3.20 | |
| Fairness | 3.70median 3.10 | 3.10 |
Commission: meets standards (5–0)
The Sixteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 5-0, with four absent and one vacancy, that Judge Samuel Scott Vigil MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Vigil presides over civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and criminal matters in Otero, Bent and Crowley County, Colorado. His courtroom demeanor is consistently respectful and patient, creating a conducive environment for all parties. His written orders are comprehensive and well-reasoned, demonstrating a deep understanding of complex legal issues. Judge Vigil's command of the courtroom and docket control are exemplary, ensuring efficient and fair proceedings. Commission members observed these qualities during their evaluation and interview. The Commission appreciates Judge Vigil’s commitment to always improving through his continued education and constantly asking for feedback and incorporating that feedback. Based on these findings, the Commission unanimously agreed that Judge Samuel Vigil meets performance standards.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Vigil, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, reviewed a self-evaluation survey, and reviewed judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had interacted in Judge Vigil’s court. Among the survey questions asked, one was, “Based on your responses to the previous questions related to the performance evaluation criteria, do you think Judge Vigil meets judicial performance standards?” Of the attorneys responding to the survey, 100% answered yes. Of the non-attorneys responding to the survey, 88% answered yes. A total of eight attorneys and seven non-attorneys responded to the judicial performance surveys expressing their opinion of Judge Vigil.
Judge Vigil has been appointed to the District Court since 2022. Prior to his appointment as District Court Judge, he served as Bent County Court Judge since February 2013, and as District Court Magistrate since November 2020. Judge Vigil earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Robert O. Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico and his Juris Doctor (JD) from Tulane University Law School. Prior to appointment to the District Court bench, Judge Vigil served as a Deputy District Attorney for the 16th Judicial District’s District Attorney’s Office. Upon being appointed as a part-time County Court Judge in February 2013, Judge Vigil established and maintained a private practice in Las Animas focusing on local government representation and representation of indigent parents through the Office of Respondent Parent Counsel. Judge Vigil also served as Bent County Attorney, City Attorney for the City of Las Animas, Special County Attorney for Prowers County Department of Human Services and represented several Special Districts.
2016 retention · County Court · Bent County
6 percentile · rank 34 of 36
composite 0100
10 percentile · rank 97 of 108
composite 0100
32 26th percentile among peers · 14th percentile statewide
5140
Composite index 11.57 among peers (15.28 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.18 of 4 · 4.17 percentile
3.113.84
3.02 of 4 · 1.39 percentile
3.023.84
71.00% 29.17 percentile
50.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Overall grade
- 2.79
- Say “meets standards”
- 71.00%
Non-attorneys
- Overall grade
- 3.27
- Say “meets standards”
- 82.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 2.75median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 2.89median 3.49 | 3.49 | |
| Communications | 3.21median 3.65 | 3.65 | |
| Diligence | 2.91median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Demeanor | 3.15median 3.62 | 3.62 | |
| Fairness | 3.22median 3.66 | 3.66 |
Commission: meets standards (10–0)
The Sixteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (10-0) recommends that Judge Samuel Scott Vigil BE RETAINED.
Judge Vigil was appointed to the Bent County bench on February 7, 2013. This position is classified as a 25% judgeship, which allows him to maintain his private practice in Las Animas, Colorado. Previously, he served as Deputy District Attorney in the 16th Judicial District. Judge Vigil earned his undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico and Juris Doctorate from Tulane University Law School. Believing that community involvement shows he cares and is accessible, he is active in his church and coaches wrestling at the youth, middle school and high school levels. He also serves on the Bent County Development Foundation Board of Directors, promoting economic activity for his community of Las Animas, Colorado.
The Commission considered the Judge’s written self-evaluation, results from the Judicial Performance Survey of attorneys and non-attorneys who had been involved in proceedings in his courtroom, written decisions submitted by the Judge, courtroom observations by the Commissioners, input from representatives of the District Attorney and Public Defender’s offices, comments made during public hearings, and an interview with the Judge. The completed survey results reflect responses from 8 attorneys: 71% recommended retention, 14% non-retention, and 14% made no recommendation. The completed survey results reflect 24 non-attorney responses: 82% recommended retention, 13% non-retention, and 4% made no recommendation. (These percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.)
While presiding over the Las Animas County Court one day a week as a 25% judge, Judge Vigil sees civil cases, small claims cases, criminal matters, protection order cases, and evictions. His calm, formal, patient and thoughtful demeanor helps ensure that all parties have an opportunity to be heard and conveys impartiality to all litigants. The Commission discussed the challenges of maintaining a private practice while guarding the impartiality required of a sitting county court judge. Judge Vigil candidly and openly discussed the challenges presented by this unique circumstance and the concrete measures he has implemented within his private practice and with his staff to ensure that conflicts are identified early and that a perceived conflict would not diminish the dignity of his office. Judge Vigil’s clear advisements of defendants, well-written orders and acuity with courtroom technology are noted as clear strengths. Judge Vigil was counseled to continue to hone his skills and continue his legal education so he can more ably manage unique or unexpected legal issues and demonstrate a more confident demeanor on the bench. To his credit, Judge Vigil is open to suggestions for improvement and continually strives to increase his knowledge of the law and courtroom procedure to better serve the people of the 16th Judicial District. Indeed, it was clear to the Commission that Judge Vigil devotes much more time and energy to his office than the 25% judgeship would suggest.