This summary was computer-generated without any editorial revision. It is not official, has not been checked for accuracy, and is NOT citable.
Facts
A municipal court judge in Questa, New Mexico, was involved in a car accident on August 25, 2023. During the investigation, the judge invoked his judicial title to the officers and admitted to speeding, driving 55 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone (paras 3-4).
Procedural History
(N/A)
Parties' Submissions
- Petitioner: The Judicial Standards Commission filed a petition to accept a Stipulation Agreement and Consent to Discipline with the judge, which included a public censure (para 1).
- Respondent: The judge admitted to willful misconduct, agreeing that his actions violated the Code of Judicial Conduct and consented to a public censure (paras 3-4).
Legal Issues
- Did the judge's conduct constitute willful misconduct in violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct?
- Should the judge be publicly censured for his actions?
Disposition
- The Supreme Court of New Mexico accepted the Stipulation Agreement and issued a public censure to the judge (para 2).
Reasons
Per Curiam:
The Court found that the judge's actions violated Rules 21-101, 21-102, and 21-103 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which require judges to comply with the law, promote public confidence in the judiciary, and avoid abusing the prestige of their office (paras 4-6). The judge's conduct, including speeding and invoking his judicial title during a police investigation, undermined public confidence in the judiciary and constituted willful misconduct (paras 7-10). The Court emphasized the importance of maintaining the dignity of judicial office and issued a public censure to protect public confidence in the judicial system (paras 11-12).