Item B: Mid-Point Evaluation for Judge Allen

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guidelines for specific cases. I have done so in order that they might know what sentences are imposed when they are not present so that plea bargains will be accepted. Section VII: Availability to City Council and Previous Evaluations I am employed by the City Council. I believe it is important that the Council be aware of the Court’s functions and its importance to the community. I do not appear regularly before the Council and it is my suggestion that that process be changed. The Council should receive regular verbal reports from the Presiding Judge. At present, the judicial system is in the state of flux and it is important for the Council to be informed of the court’s current developments and needs. Throughout the course of my employment as the Presiding Judge, I have been evaluated many times. Copies of those evaluations are available through the Court Administrator, Kristie Hammitt. While the evaluation of judges does not occur in any other jurisdictions in Oregon, I welcome the evaluations and feel it is important that they continue. Section VIII: Overall Evaluation I continue to enjoy my position as Presiding Judge. I believe we have excellent staff, administration, and Assistant Judges. In my view, this the most important local Court to the citizens of Eugene and it is the one in which people will most likely have contact and it is the one that is continually asked to deal with behavioral issues that effect the quality of life in our City.I hope the Court will be able to continue to improve in significant and important ways. However, it is clearly at a crossroads. We need additional space and staff. We also need the ability to impose meaningful sanctions in those cases where such sanctions are appropriate. Immediate and Future Issues for Municipal Court Municipal Court is facing a challenging period. The caseload at the court has been slowly shifting over the few years and is experiencing an increase in the number of misdemeanor and ordinance cases and reduction in minor traffic case filings. Misdemeanor and ordinance cases generate a significant workload for the court and put additional strain on an already taxed jail system. As Presiding Judge at Municipal Court I am prepared to support efforts to reduce criminal activity in this community by processing cases in a fair and timely manner, holding offenders accountable to complete sanctions, and providing alternative sanctions when appropriate. Municipal Court plays a key role in addressing the City Council’s public safety goals. The following is a list of critical elements that must be addressed in the near future for the court to efficiently and effectively adjudicate cases: Jail Space 1. – Reductions at the Lane County Jail have significantly impacted Municipal Court sentencing practices. The number of inmates being matrixed has doubled since January, 2008. 2008 JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW-5