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Voters looking for advice on which judges to keep on the bench and which to dump might consider the opinions of the lawyers who argue before them in court.

Judges from state Supreme Court to probate were rated by members of the Albuquerque Bar Association in its 2006 judicial survey released late Friday.

Judges received "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory" ratings in five categories: knowledge of the law, rules, fairness, demeanor and timeliness.

This year's survey, designed by members of the association's board of directors, was mailed to about 2,600 attorneys who practice law in the Albuquerque metro area.

The association received 611 responses, a figure it called "quite high." In a news release, the association said the survey is not scientific but does provide a tool for the public, the bar and the judiciary.

One of the newest members of the bench rated the highest among the 23 judges in the 2nd Judicial District, which encompasses Bernalillo County.

District Judge Stan Whitaker, appointed in July, scored a 94 percent in law, 95 percent in rules, 92 percent in fairness, 98 percent in demeanor and 96 percent in timeliness for an average rating of 95 percent "satisfactory."

Whitaker is unopposed in the Nov. 7 election.

Scoring lowest in the same judicial district was District Judge Ernesto Romero, who averaged just 68 percent "satisfactory."

From the 13th Judicial District - which covers Sandoval, Valencia and Cibola counties - District Judge George Eichwald rated highest with an average 90.4 percent, scoring particularly high in fairness.

Scoring lowest was District Judge Camille Martinez Olguin at 77.4 percent, losing ground especially for a 63 percent rating in timeliness.

In Metro Court, Judge Benjamin Chavez rated highest in satisfaction with a nearly 91 percent average.

Judge Frank Gentry, who is up for retention in November, was lowest at just under 59 percent "satisfactory." His score was especially low in the fairness category - 54 percent.

Metro Court Judge Clyde DeMersseman, who faces Rachel Walker Al-Yasi in November, received an average "satisfactory" rating of 90 percent.

Two of the highest scores overall came for judges in the federal courts: Magistrate Kea Riggs with a 100 percent average, and U.S. District Judge Robert Brack at 97 percent.