SUMMARY
Judge Craig Jones
Third Circuit Court
Counties Served: Lincoln, Sweetwater, Uinta
Specialty Courts: DUI Court
Current Judicial Committee or Boards:
Election Years: 2014, 2018, 2022
Circuit Court judges serve four year terms.
Circuit courts hear all misdemeanor criminal cases and civil cases where less than $50,000 is sought. Circuit courts also hear family violence, stalking, and forcible entry and detainer cases. The circuit courts may set bail for people accused of crimes, and conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases.
(Wyoming State Bar, Judicial Branch FAQ page)
JUDICIAL HISTORY
Gubernatorial Appointment: Appointed by Governor Matt Mead in August 2013 replacing Dan Forgey who had moved to the Seventh Circuit Court.
Past General Election Retention Results:
In 2014 General Election Judge Jones received 14,757 Yes votes against 4,422 No votes and 4,011 Under Votes.
In 2018 General Election Judge Jones received 17,786 Yes votes against 4,709 No votes and 4,222 Under Votes.
Rating of Judge from Wyoming State Bar Judicial Advisory Polls:
“Judicial advisory polls are used by Bar associations to provide feedback to judicial officials about their performance on the bench and to help the public make more informed judgments in judicial elections. Guidelines established by the American Bar Association (ABA) state that the primary goal of judicial evaluation is “… to improve the performance of individual judges and the judiciary as a whole.” The Wyoming State Bar undertook its first judicial advisory poll in 1976 and has completed one each election year since.”
https://www.wyomingbar.org/about-us/resource-page/
2014
On page 8 of the 2014 Wyoming State Bar Judicial Advisory Poll the following results were reported for Judge Jones:
Out of 27 respondents: 77.8% Favored Retention; 22.2% Opposed Retention
2018
On page 8 of the 2018 Wyoming State Bar Judicial Advisory Poll the following results were reported for Judge Jones:
Out of 29 respondents: 41.4% Favored Retention; 58.6% Opposed Retention
2022
From the Judicial Performance Assessment, 2022 for Hon. Craig L. Jones:
Out of 23 respondents 18 Favored Retention; 2 Opposed Retention; and 3 gave No Opinion.
MISC BIO INFO
Education: J.D. from the University of Wyoming
Years of WY Residency:
Out of State Residencies, if any:
Birth Year/Place:
Previous Work: Held “public legal positions” in Johnson and Converse counties in Wyoming. Jones also maintained a private legal practice.
Business Interests:
Family Members in Business or Government:
Memberships/Organizations:
BIO Snippets from Misc Sources:
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Jones worked in both the public and private sectors. He held “public legal positions” in Johnson and Converse counties in Wyoming. Jones also maintained a private legal practice.
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Noteworthy Articles:
2019, Oct: Setzer bound over to district court
2018, Oct: Rock Springs circuit court judge gets low survey marks
2018, March: Bond Reduced In Voyeurism Case; Charges Move Forward
2016, Feb: Father And Daughter Arrested On Drug Charges
Misc:
2020, March 17: Order Concerning Circuit Court Practices during Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020
