District of Columbia Courts Associate Judge and Senior Judge Evaluation Survey
Hon. Maribeth Raffinan has declared her candidacy for reappointment as an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, upon expiration of her current term on September 30, 2025.
Comment deadlines are as follows:
The Commission invites comments from members of the Bar, litigants, former jurors, interested organizations and members of the public on the qualifications and performance of the listed judicial candidate(s). Your input and candid feedback are important to the Commission's evaluation.
Your identity and personal information will be kept confidential. Therefore, the Commission encourages you to provide narrative comments, as appropriate to explain your answers, such as examples of experiences you have had before a candidate. Specific references directing the Commission’s attention to a particular case or proceeding also are very helpful.
At the end of the survey, please indicate below whether you are open to further confidential discussions with the Commissioner assigned to evaluate the candidate. If you wish to review more than one judge, please fill out a separate survey for each judge.
1. Please identify the candidate you are evaluating for this survey.
2. Please describe the context of your evaluation of this candidate.
3. How many times have you appeared before the candidate?
4. When did you appear before the candidate?
5. Does the candidate demonstrate an ability to handle complex legal and factual issues?
6. Does the candidate demonstrate knowledge of pertinent judicial authorities and current developments in the law?
7. Does the candidate treat counsel, litigants, witnesses, and others including Court personnel, with respect?
8. Does the candidate treat counsel, litigants, witnesses, and others without bias based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or any other grounds?
9. Does the candidate exhibit professional conduct and appropriate judicial temperament on the bench?
10. Does the candidate convene court on time and as scheduled?
11. Does the candidate control and manage a calendar to ensure matters before the Court are handled promptly and without unnecessary delay?
12. Does the candidate rule on motions and make decisions on time or with reasonable promptness?
13. Does the candidate preside over trials and evidentiary proceedings fairly and competently?
14. Does the candidate let the attorney or party present his or her case?
15. Does the candidate demonstrate a command of the issues and facts during proceedings?
16. Does the candidate state reasons for decisions and rulings?
17. Does the candidate decide cases on the basis of factors other than the issues in the case?
18. Does the candidate explain the legal process and make self-represented litigants aware of available legal assistance and/or resources?
19. Does the candidate treat self-represented litigants with respect?
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey and for your willingness assist the Commission with its evaluation of this candidate's qualifications for reappointment to another 15-year term. Your input is valuable.
Please provide your name and contact information below if you are willing to be contacted by the Commission for additional information and/or if you would like the Commissioner assigned to review this candidate to contact you for any reason related to this candidacy.
Full Name