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Judicial Nominee: Denise M. Francois Office of the Governor Office of Legal Counsel Question 31 (supplemental information in the form of responses to a survey on Judges and Justices conducted by the V.I. Bar Association in 2023) P + wo ND This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Qi Comments Section: Please use this space to provide any comments or feedback you have about the judge's performance. Your input is valuable in helping us understand your perspective and improve our processes. Answered: 8 = Skipped: 5 RESPONSES Good judge; she should be reappointed. Excellent judge. Fair. Judge Francois has a profound understanding of the law which is consistently demonstrated through well-reasoned decision and insightful legal analysis. Her commitment to impartiality and fairness is commendable.Her judicial temperament is characterized by patience, courtesy and composure. She is always prepared. She is probably the best judge to practice in front of in the Superior Court. She is fair and really tries to make the right decision. She takes time to make sure the law is right. she is great. she is very organized, has control of her docket, is decisive, fair but pushes her cases forward. she has great judicial temperment Judge Francois is fair and treats everyone in her courtroom with respect. Overall perhaps the most effective judge in the civil/ criminal division of stt & stj Please move the docker 1/15 DATE 12/4/2023 11:11 AM 11/18/2023 5:24 AM 11/15/2023 9:40 AM 11/7/2023 9:06 AM 11/6/2023 12:32 PM 11/5/2023 12:41 PM 11/4/2023 4:35 AM 11/3/2023 5:01 PM This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q2 The Judge starts court on time Answered: 13. = Skipped: 0 Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree O% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Strongly Disagree 0.00% 0 Disagree 15.38% 2 Agree 30.77% 4 Strongly Agree 93.85% 7 TOTAL = # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) DATE 1 Judge Francois respects time, especially the time of a juror. 11/15/2023 9:40 AM 2 Always prompt 11/10/2023 9:29 AM 2/15 ANSWER CHOICES Never 1-3 4-6 7-9 10+ TOTAL This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q3 How many times have you appeared before Judge Francois? Answered: 13. = Skipped: 0 Never 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% RESPONSES 0.00% 7.69% 23.08% 7.69% 61.54% COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) DATE There are no responses. 3/15 13 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q4 The Judge clearly explains to jurors their role in the trial process Answered: 13. = Skipped: 0 Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree O% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Strongly Disagree 7.69% Disagree 0.00% Agree 38.46% Strongly Agree 53.85% TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) DATE 1 Very communicative with jurors throughout the trial 11/10/2023 9:29 AM 2 | have never had a trial before this Judge. My answer is "not opinion". 11/9/2023 10:30 PM 3 N/A 11/6/2023 12:47 PM 4/15 13 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q5 The Judge ensures a fair opportunity for all parties to be heard Answered: 13. = Skipped: 0 Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree O% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 7.69% Agree 23.08% Strongly Agree 69.23% TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) DATE 1 Always listens and asks questions to ferret out arguments and issues 11/10/2023 9:29 AM 5/15 13 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q6 The Judge's decisions are easy to understand Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree 0% 10% ANSWER CHOICES Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) 1 Best writer on the court 20% Answered: 13 30% 40% 50% 6/15 Skipped: 0 60% 70% 80% RESPONSES 0.00% 7.69% 30.77% 61.54% 90% 100% DATE 11/10/2023 9:29 AM 13 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q7 The Judge treats people with respect Answered: 13. = Skipped: 0 Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 7.69% Agree 15.38% Strongly Agree 76.92% TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) DATE 1 very respectful to lawyers, court staff and witnesses 11/10/2023 9:29 AM 7/15 10 13 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q8 The Judge asserts appropriate control over the proceedings Answered: 13 Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree O% 10% 20% 30% ANSWER CHOICES Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) 1 Always in control-firmly, but cordially done 40% 50% 8/15 Skipped: 0 60% 70% 80% RESPONSES 0.00% 7.69% 7.69% 84.62% 90% 100% DATE 11/10/2023 9:29 AM 11 13 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q9 The Judge issues decisions in a timely manner Answered: 13. = Skipped: 0 Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree O% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Strongly Disagree 7.69% Disagree 7.69% Agree 46.15% Strongly Agree 38.46% TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) DATE 1 Very good on getting our orders. Opinions (of course) take longer, but hers are always well 11/10/2023 9:29 AM researched and throrough 2 For the most part.. 11/4/2023 4:35 AM 9/15 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q10 Legal Competence (knowledge and application of the law) Answered: 13 Highly Qualified Qualified Not Qualified No Opinion/Do not know O% 10% 20% 30% ANSWER CHOICES Highly Qualified Qualified Not Qualified No Opinion/Do not know TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) There are no responses. 40% 50% 10/15 Skipped: 0 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% RESPONSES 84.62% 15.38% 0.00% 0.00% DATE 11 13 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q11 Judicial Demeanor Excellent Average Poor No Opinion / Do Not Know O% 10% 20% ANSWER CHOICES Excellent Average Poor No Opinion / Do Not Know TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) There are no responses. Answered: 13 30% 40% 50% 11/15 Skipped: 0 60% 70% 80% RESPONSES 84.62% 15.38% 0.00% 0.00% 90% 100% DATE 11 13 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q12 Judicial Temperament Excellent Average Poor No Opinion / Do Not Know O% 10% 20% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Excellent 76.92% Average 23.08% Poor 0.00% No Opinion / Do Not Know 0.00% TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) 1 A bit more than average but like everyone else she has her days so can't say excellent Answered: 13 30% 40% 50% (not sure if this comment should go here or to demeanor) 12/15 Skipped: 0 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% DATE 11/4/2023 4:35 AM 10 13 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q13 Reputation in the Community Answered: 13. = Skipped: 0 Excellent Average Poor No Opinion / Do Not Know O% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Excellent 84.62% Average 7.69% Poor 0.00% No Opinion / Do Not Know 7.69% TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) DATE 1 Judge Francois' name frequently is raised among members of the Bar as a replacement 11/15/2023 9:40 AM for a retired Justice or a District Court Judgeship. Her reputation is stellar. 13/15 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q14 Promptness/Diligence in addressing issues Excellent Average Poor No Opinion / Do Not Know O% 10% 20% Answered: 13 30% 40% 50% Skipped: 0 60% 70% 80% ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Excellent 61.54% Average 23.08% Poor 15.38% No Opinion / Do Not Know 0.00% TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) 1 Judge Francois has no problem certifying appropriate questions for appeal. 14/15 90% 100% DATE 11/15/2023 9:40 AM 13 This survey is anonymous and confidential regarding Honorable Denise M. Francois Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Thomas Q15 Fairness in making decisions Excellent Average Poor No Opinion / Do Not Know O% 10% 20% ANSWER CHOICES Excellent Average Poor No Opinion / Do Not Know TOTAL # COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) 1 Fair, even when she rules against him Answered: 13 30% 40% 50% 15/15 Skipped: 0 60% 70% 80% RESPONSES 84.62% 15.38% 0.00% 0.00% 90% 100% DATE 11/10/2023 9:29 AM 11 13