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Colorado Judicial Branch

Mary J. Mullarkey, Chief Justice

Gerald Marroney, State Court Administrator

______

Nov. 4, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Karen Salaz

303/837-3633

1-800-888-0001 Ext. 633

County Court Judge Hoppin selected for excellence award

Colorado Judicial Institute recognizes three judicial officers

District Court Judge Charles T. Hoppin is being recognized as this year’s county court judge award recipient by the Colorado Judicial Institute. Hoppin, who presides in the 1st Judicial District (Jefferson and Gilpin counties), will be presented the 2003 Judicial Excellence Award for his outstanding service on the bench during the institute’s inaugural Judicial Excellence for Colorado Dinner on Nov. 6 in Denver.

“Judge Hoppin, in the five years I have worked for him, always adheres to the highest ethical standards possible,” says 1st Judicial District Division Clerk Karen Dickerson in nominating Hoppin for the award. “He is patient and considerate when on the bench showing respect to all and he follows the letter of the law.”

Joining Hoppin in being selected to receive the award are 17th Judicial District Chief Judge Harlan Bockman (Adams and Brighton counties) and 20th Judicial District Magistrate Tijani R. (TJ) Cole. One district court judge, county court judge and magistrate who exemplify the highest standard of excellence were selected for the award. Recipients were chosen for their management skills; control, innovation and creativity in the courtroom; extraordinary courage, energy and tenacity; level of respect and confidence by other judges, court staff, lawyers and others; and exemplification of the highest standards of judicial excellence.

Judge Hoppin was appointed to the Jefferson County Court in May 1996. Prior to his appointment, he was a deputy district attorney from 1969 to 1972. He had a private law practice with emphasis on domestic law and criminal defense from 1972 to 1996.

The Colorado Judicial Institute is a 24-year-old nonprofit citizens’ group committed to excellence in Colorado’s courts. CJI strives to improve the public understanding and trust in our state court system, ensure the appropriate use of the state court system, and explore alternatives to the judicial process. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit CJI’s Judicial Education Preservation Fund established in response to the recent loss of sate financial support for continuing education for judges and court personnel.

Editor’s note: Additional information on the Colorado Judicial Institute is available at www.coloradojudicialinstitute.org. A photograph of Judge Hoppin is available at

http://www.courts.state.co.us/district/01st/judges/1cntychoppin.htm .

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