Louis E. DePauli, Jr.
The Honorable

Louis E. DePauli, Jr.

District Court Judge
11th Judicial District
McKinley and San Juan Counties

Year: 2014

Recommendation: Retain

Election Results: Retained

Evaluation: Judge Louis DePauli, Jr. received somewhat mixed ratings from the populations surveyed. The court staff and the resource staff (e.g., law enforcement, probation and parole officers, interpreters, etc.) rated the judge positively on all attributes. Attorneys rated the judge positively for being courteous to all participants, being attentive to the proceedings, for conducting himself in a manner free from arrogance, and for demonstrating appropriate demeanor on the bench. However, attorneys rate him somewhat lower for his knowledge of the law, in exercising sound legal reasoning, and for his oral and written decisions/ communications not always being clear, thorough and logical. Although this evaluation indicated a decline in some areas, the judge is aware of the need to improve in these areas and has expressed his commitment to do so.

Experience & Education: Judge DePauli was appointed District Judge in August 2006 and was elected District Judge in November 2006. Judge DePauli handles both criminal and civil cases. He received his undergraduate degree from New Mexico State University and his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1987. Judge DePauli's prior experience involved criminal defense, domestic and family law. He served briefly as Assistant District Attorney for McKinley County.

PERCENTAGE THAT AGREE OR DISAGREE THAT THE JUDGE EXHIBITS POSITIVE QUALITIES IN EACH CATEGORY *

Attorneys (n=37, 39% Response Rate)
Category Agree Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree Disagree
Exhibits Integrity 84% 11% 5%
Fair and Impartial 71% 17% 12%
Knowledgeable of Law 55% 32% 13%
Communication is Clear 59% 32% 9%
Appropriate Demeanor 87% 10% 3%
Properly Controls Proceedings 78% 16% 5%
Court Staff (n=45, 61% Response Rate)
Category Agree Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree Disagree
Communication is Clear N/A N/A N/A
Properly Controls Proceedings N/A N/A N/A
Respects Court Employees 93% 7% 0%
Jurors (n=11, 31% Response Rate)
Category Agree Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree Disagree
Exhibits Integrity 91% 0% 9%
Fair and Impartial 91% 0% 9%
Knowledgeable of Law N/A N/A N/A
Communication is Clear 91% 0% 9%
Appropriate Demeanor 91% 0% 9%
Respects Court Employees N/A N/A N/A
Category Agree Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree Disagree
Fair and Impartial 82% 12% 6%
Communication is Clear 82% 18% 0%
Appropriate Demeanor 82% 18% 0%
Properly Controls Proceedings 94% 6% 0%
Respects Court Employees N/A N/A N/A

 

* On the tables above, the "Agree" columns are comprised of the strongly agree and agree responses. Similarly, the "Disagree" columns are comprised of the strongly disagree and disagree responses. The combined percentage of "Agree", "Disagree", and "Partly Agree/Partly Disagree" for each category may not equal 100% due to rounding error. "N/A" indicates that the category is "not applicable" because some populations were not asked certain questions.

PERCENTAGE THAT RECOMMEND THE JUDGE BE RETAINED OR NOT BE RETAINED IN OFFICE. ‡

Attorney Retain Recommendation Bar ChartCourt Staff Retain Recommendation Bar ChartResource Staff Retain Recommendation Bar Chart

‡ On the charts above, the "Retain" columns are comprised of the strongly recommend retain and somewhat recommend retain responses. Similarly, the "Do Not Retain" columns are comprised of the strongly recommend not retain and somewhat recommend not retain responses.