Joint assembly retains two superior court judges and one magistrate
March 26, 2024 | SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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The Vermont General Assembly convened in joint assembly on March 26, 2024, and by written ballot retained Superior Court Judges John R. Treadwell and Lisa A. Warren and Magistrate Barry E. Peterson to six-year terms beginning April 1, 2024.
The vote followed floor reports from the Joint Committee on Judicial Retention and short periods without debate before ballots were distributed and collected by tellers. Sen. Collomore (Rutland District), presenting Judge John R. Treadwell’s file, said the judge’s attorney-survey results were strong: “John Treadwell is extremely knowledgeable as far as law and procedure,” and the committee recommended his retention. The assembly recorded 146 total votes cast on Treadwell’s question, with 140 voting yes and 6 voting no; the chair declared Treadwell retained for a six-year term beginning April 1, 2024.
Sen. Hardy (Addison District) presented Judge Lisa A. Warren’s materials, summarizing her record as presiding superior court judge in Orleans County and noting both critical and favorable survey comments about her courtroom demeanor. Hardy said Warren addressed concerns during committee interviews and that the committee recommended retention. The assembly recorded 146 total votes on Warren’s question, with 141 yes and 5 no; the chair declared Warren retained for a six-year term beginning April 1, 2024.
Rep. Oliver (Sheldon), speaking for the committee on Barry E. Peterson, reviewed Peterson’s legal career and his work as a family-division magistrate. The transcript shows unanimous or strongly favorable committee survey responses and a committee recommendation to retain. The assembly recorded 148 total votes on the magistrate question, with 145 yes and 3 no; the chair declared Magistrate Barry E. Peterson retained for a six-year term beginning April 1, 2024.
The chair reminded members of voting procedures under the Judicial Retention Act, including that nominations are not received from the floor and that voting is by written ballot. The assembly appointed tellers to distribute and collect ballots and followed the announced rules (members required to be seated to receive a ballot and to remain seated during counting). After the magistrate result, the chair declared the joint assembly dissolved.
Votes at a glance: Judge John R. Treadwell — total cast 146; Yays 140, Nays 6; Retained. Judge Lisa A. Warren — total cast 146; Yays 141, Nays 5; Retained. Magistrate Barry E. Peterson — total cast 148; Yays 145, Nays 3; Retained.
Background: The Judicial Retention Act and related statutory provisions cited in the proceedings (including references to JRS 47 and VSA §608 and title 2 requirements) set out the process by which incumbent superior judges and magistrates seeking additional six-year terms are reviewed by a joint committee and voted on by the full joint assembly.
The joint committee described its regular evaluation process — candidate materials, attorney and court-staff surveys, interviews and a public hearing — and reported that the files and interviews in each case supported a recommendation for retention. The assembly concluded the voting and adjourned.
The vote followed floor reports from the Joint Committee on Judicial Retention and short periods without debate before ballots were distributed and collected by tellers. Sen. Collomore (Rutland District), presenting Judge John R. Treadwell’s file, said the judge’s attorney-survey results were strong: “John Treadwell is extremely knowledgeable as far as law and procedure,” and the committee recommended his retention. The assembly recorded 146 total votes cast on Treadwell’s question, with 140 voting yes and 6 voting no; the chair declared Treadwell retained for a six-year term beginning April 1, 2024.
Sen. Hardy (Addison District) presented Judge Lisa A. Warren’s materials, summarizing her record as presiding superior court judge in Orleans County and noting both critical and favorable survey comments about her courtroom demeanor. Hardy said Warren addressed concerns during committee interviews and that the committee recommended retention. The assembly recorded 146 total votes on Warren’s question, with 141 yes and 5 no; the chair declared Warren retained for a six-year term beginning April 1, 2024.
Rep. Oliver (Sheldon), speaking for the committee on Barry E. Peterson, reviewed Peterson’s legal career and his work as a family-division magistrate. The transcript shows unanimous or strongly favorable committee survey responses and a committee recommendation to retain. The assembly recorded 148 total votes on the magistrate question, with 145 yes and 3 no; the chair declared Magistrate Barry E. Peterson retained for a six-year term beginning April 1, 2024.
The chair reminded members of voting procedures under the Judicial Retention Act, including that nominations are not received from the floor and that voting is by written ballot. The assembly appointed tellers to distribute and collect ballots and followed the announced rules (members required to be seated to receive a ballot and to remain seated during counting). After the magistrate result, the chair declared the joint assembly dissolved.
Votes at a glance: Judge John R. Treadwell — total cast 146; Yays 140, Nays 6; Retained. Judge Lisa A. Warren — total cast 146; Yays 141, Nays 5; Retained. Magistrate Barry E. Peterson — total cast 148; Yays 145, Nays 3; Retained.
Background: The Judicial Retention Act and related statutory provisions cited in the proceedings (including references to JRS 47 and VSA §608 and title 2 requirements) set out the process by which incumbent superior judges and magistrates seeking additional six-year terms are reviewed by a joint committee and voted on by the full joint assembly.
The joint committee described its regular evaluation process — candidate materials, attorney and court-staff surveys, interviews and a public hearing — and reported that the files and interviews in each case supported a recommendation for retention. The assembly concluded the voting and adjourned.
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