2024 retention · District Court · 18th Judicial District
70 percentile · rank 16 of 52
composite 0100
69 percentile · rank 33 of 107
composite 0100
43 73rd percentile among peers · 72nd percentile statewide
14112
Composite index 67.95 among peers (65.73 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.30 of 4 · 60.58 percentile
2.303.80
3.32 of 4 · 66.35 percentile
2.273.80
93.00% 76.92 percentile
29.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 93.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 71.00%
| 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 | 3.20median 3.10 | 3.10 | |
| Communications | 3.50median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Diligence | 3.40median 3.20 | 3.20 | |
| Demeanor | 3.20median 3.20 | 3.20 | |
| Fairness | 3.10median 3.10 | 3.10 |
Commission: meets standards (7–0)
The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 7-0, with three commissioners absent from voting, that Judge Joshua Jay Williford MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Williford presides over criminal, misdemeanor, civil, and traffic matters in Arapahoe County, Colorado. Judge Williford’s strengths include being well-read in all areas of the law, his judicial demeanor, and his work ethic. As described by those that interact with him, he is knowledgeable in the law, well-prepared, dependable, fair, patient, respectful, and he conducts himself professionally at all times while maintaining control of the courtroom. Commission members observed these qualities in him during his personal interview and while observing him in court proceedings. Judge Williford works to continuously improve the management of his docket in an effort to increase efficiency. He strives to truly listen, utilize plain and easy to understand language in rulings, and incorporate equity in his decisions. He aims to always be consistent, professional, conscientious, open, and to have written decisions be methodical, expedient, and thoughtful. Based on these findings the Commission unanimously agreed that Judge Williford meets performance standards.
The Commission met with Chief Judge Michelle A. Amico to discuss her interactions with Judge Williford, as well as with members of the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office and the Probation Office, to discuss their impressions of Judge Williford’s performance. The Commission members also conducted a personal interview with Judge Williford, observed him during court proceedings, and reviewed judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys that interacted with him in his courtroom. The surveys reflected personal opinions on Judge Williford’s Case Management, Application and Knowledge of the Law, Communications, Diligence, Demeanor, and Fairness. Of the forty-three (43) completed surveys returned, Judge Williford achieved an overall performance rating of 3.3 of a possible 4.0. His ratings for meeting performance standards from attorneys was 93%, and 71% from non-attorneys.
Judge Williford was appointed to the bench on September 14, 2016. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College in 2000 and his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2003. Prior to his appointment, he worked in the Office of the 18th Judicial District Attorney where he served as a Chief Deputy District Attorney. Judge Williford additionally serves the community by volunteering at the House of Light which provides beds, bedding, and furniture to those transitioning from homelessness or domestic violence.
2020 retention · County Court · Arapahoe County
74 percentile · rank 10 of 37
composite 0100
78 percentile · rank 22 of 100
composite 0100
36 72nd percentile among peers · 57th percentile statewide
380
Composite index 75.68 among peers (78.67 statewide): the mean of the three percentiles below. Rank orders by it.
3.70 of 4 · 77.03 percentile
1.504.00
3.75 of 4 · 81.08 percentile
1.503.95
90.00% 68.92 percentile
0.00%100.00%
Attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 90.00%
Non-attorneys
- Say “meets standards”
- 92.00%
| Category | Score | Peer median | Peer range (dot is this judge, line is the median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Management | 3.80median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Application and Knowledge of Law | 3.60median 3.30 | 3.30 | |
| Communications | 3.90median 3.60 | 3.60 | |
| Diligence | 3.60median 3.40 | 3.40 | |
| Demeanor | 3.70median 3.50 | 3.50 | |
| Fairness | 3.90median 3.90 | 3.90 |
Commission: meets standards (9–0)
The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 9-0, with one Commissioner absent from voting, that Judge Joshua Jay Williford MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Williford presides over civil, criminal, misdemeanor, and traffic matters in Arapahoe County, Colorado. Judge Williford’s strengths include his passion for the law, his judicial demeanor, and his work ethic. As described by those that interact with him, he is fair and approachable, knowledgeable in the law, consistent, dependable, reasonable, and he conducts himself professionally at all times. Commission members observed these qualities in him during his personal interview and while observing him in court proceedings. Judge Williford stays current in jurisprudence by reviewing case announcements provided by the Colorado Supreme Court and by reviewing relevant court decisions and case law in his areas of expertise. He uses the knowledge gained in these reviews to refine his Judicial Officer skills and written decisions. Based on these findings the Commission unanimously agreed that Judge Williford meets performance standards.
The Commission met with Chief Judge Michelle Ann Amico to discuss her interactions with Judge Williford, as well as with members of the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office and the Probation Office, to discuss their impressions of Judge Williford’s performance. The Commission members also conducted a personal interview with Judge Williford, observed him during court proceedings, and reviewed judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys that interacted with him in his courtroom. The surveys reflected personal opinions on Judge Williford’s Case Management, Application and Knowledge of the Law, Communications, Diligence, Demeanor, and Fairness. Of the thirty-six (36) completed surveys returned Judge Williford achieved an overall performance rating of 3.7 of a possible 4.0, compared to all County Judges at a rating of 3.4. His ratings for meeting performance standards from attorneys was 90%, and 92% from non-attorneys.
Judge Williford was appointed to the Bench on September 14, 2016. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and his law degree from the University of Denver. Prior to his appointment he worked in the Office of the 18th Judicial District Attorney where he served as the Chief Deputy District Attorney. Judge Williford volunteers at the House of Light which provides beds, bedding, and furniture to single mothers and families transitioning from homelessness or domestic violence.