Michelle Castillo Dowler
Metropolitan Court Judge
Bernalillo County
Year: 2018
Evaluation: Overall, Judge Michelle Castillo Dowler’s scores from the surveys were somewhat mixed. Among attorneys surveyed, Judge Castillo Dowler received positive ratings for maintaining control over proceedings and being attentive to proceedings. However, when it comes to treating participants equally, conducting self in a manner free from arrogance, and demonstrating appropriate demeanor on the bench, attorneys rate Judge Castillo Dowler somewhat lower. The resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) gave Judge Castillo Dowler positive ratings. The court staff rated her lower in respecting court employees regardless of position and behaving in a manner that encourages respect for the courts. The Commission also took into account the report from courtroom observers who expressed concern about Judge Castillo Dowler’s demeanor and impartiality.
Experience & Education: Judge Michelle Castillo Dowler was elected to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in 2014. Her prior work experience includes legal work at the Bernalillo County Attorney’s Office and service as an assistant district attorney in Bernalillo County and Doña Ana County. Judge Castillo Dowler received her undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico in 1995 and her law degree from UNM School of Law in 1998.
PERCENTAGE THAT AGREE OR DISAGREE THAT THE JUDGE EXHIBITS POSITIVE QUALITIES IN EACH CATEGORY *
| Attorneys (n=57, 50% Response Rate) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Agree | Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree | Disagree |
| Exhibits Integrity | 72% | 11% | 18% |
| Fair and Impartial | 58% | 19% | 22% |
| Knowledgeable of Law | 75% | 14% | 11% |
| Communication is Clear | 75% | 18% | 7% |
| Appropriate Demeanor | 58% | 11% | 30% |
| Properly Controls Proceedings | 91% | 7% | 2% |
| Respects Court Employees | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Court Staff (n=55, 30% Response Rate) | |||
| Category | Agree | Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree | Disagree |
| Exhibits Integrity | 65% | 13% | 22% |
| Fair and Impartial | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Knowledgeable of Law | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Communication is Clear | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Appropriate Demeanor | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Properly Controls Proceedings | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Respects Court Employees | 58% | 13% | 29% |
| Jurors (n=16, 18% Response Rate) | |||
| Category | Agree | Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree | Disagree |
| Exhibits Integrity | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Fair and Impartial | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Knowledgeable of Law | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Communication is Clear | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Appropriate Demeanor | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Properly Controls Proceedings | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Respects Court Employees | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Resource Staff (n=51) | |||
| Category | Agree | Partly Agree/ Partly Disagree | Disagree |
| Exhibits Integrity | 87% | 6% | 8% |
| Fair and Impartial | 87% | 3% | 10% |
| Knowledgeable of Law | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Communication is Clear | 92% | 6% | 2% |
| Appropriate Demeanor | 90% | 6% | 4% |
| Properly Controls Proceedings | 90% | 6% | 4% |
| 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. ‡
‡ 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.