Recent Commission Action and Notices
| 03-14-13 | 04-19-13 Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Discipline upon Stipulation concerning Socorro County Magistrate Judge James Naranjo, SCT Docket No. 34,097, JSC Inquiry No. 2012-100. The Court accepted Judge Naranjo’s admissions of willful misconduct in office and ordered that he be disciplined with a 90-day suspension without pay effective April 22, 2013 with 60 days of the suspension deferred on the following conditions: completion of supervised probation and formal mentorship for remainder of term in office (if formal charges be issued against him in any matter while on probation he shall immediately and permanently resign), completion of online ethics course at own expense through the National Judicial College, and a public censure from the Supreme Court. The deferred 60 days of unpaid suspension shall be automatically imposed if judge violates any term or provision of his stipulation agreement with the Commission. The Commission’s petition wit h exhibits and any other public documents are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download copy of the Court’s disciplinary order, click here. |
| 03-14-13 | Supreme Court issues substantive opinion and public censure concerning In the Matter of Stephen S. Salazar, Espanola Municipal Court, SCT Docket No. 33,601, JSC Inquiry No. 2011-035. The Supreme Court’s file in the matter is available to the public by contacting the Supreme Court. To download copy of the Court’s opinion/public censure, click here. |
| 02-28-13 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Motion to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning Fourth Judicial District Court Judge Eugenio S. Mathis, Supreme Court Docket No. 34,026, JSC Inquiry Nos. 2013-020. Supreme Court order accepts the permanent resignation effective the same day, February 28, 2013 at 5:00 p.m., permanently bars Mathis from ever holding judicial office in New Mexico again, and unseals the Supreme Court’s file in the disciplinary matter. All public documents, including the Commission’s petition for immediate temporary suspension without pay and the referenced motion are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download a copy of the final order in this case, click here. |
| 11-09-12 | Supreme Court removes from judicial office Union County Probate Judge Bret Dillon, SCT Docket No. 33,573, JSC Inquiry No. 2011-111. Judge also ordered to repay Commission’s costs of $892.92. Public documents are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download copy of the Court’s order, click here. |
| 10-03-12 | Supreme Court issues Formal Reprimand to Questa Municipal Court Judge Michael G. Rael, Sr., SCT Docket No. 33,633, JSC Inquiry No. 2011-040. Public documents are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download copy of the Court’s reprimand, click here. |
| 08-01-12 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Discipline concerning the Hon. Stephen S. Salazar, Espanola Municipal Court, SCT Docket No. 33,601, JSC Inquiry No. 2011-035. Judge found to have committed willful misconduct in office and received the following discipline: 90-day suspension without pay, public censure to be published in the Bar Bulletin, probation for remainder of term of office, pay restitution to injured parties, pay Judicial Standards Commission’s costs of $2,853.84, sums to be paid within 6 months of order, and “shall neither request nor accept payment of his salary, the costs imposed by this order, or any personal expenses he incurred before the Commission or this Court.” The Supreme Court’s file is available to the public by contacting the Supreme Court. To download copy of the Court’s order, click here. |
| 07-18-12 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning Los Lunas Municipal Court Judge Jeff Aragon, Supreme Court Docket No. 33,690, JSC Inquiry Nos. 2011-056 and 2012-054. Court order accepts the permanent resignation effective July 20, 2012, permanently bars Aragon from ever holding judicial office in New Mexico again, orders reimbursement of $1,284.00 to Commission, and unseals the Supreme Court’s file in the disciplinary matter. All public documents, including the Commission’s petition for temporary suspension and addendum to petition are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download a copy of the final order in this case, please click here. |
| 06-20-12 | Supreme Court adopts Commission’s recommendation that former Las Cruces Municipal Court Judge Stephen G. Ryan, SCT Docket No. 33,369, JSC Inquiry Nos. 1996-06, 1996-60 & 1996-65, be permanently barred from holding judicial office and assessed the Commission’s costs of the formal proceeding. On February 1, 2012, the Supreme Court issued an order finding that Ryan would be sanctioned for admitted willful misconduct in office (stipulation with admissions and agreement to resign filed in 1997) and remanding to the Commission for a hearing and recommendations sanctions to be imposed. All public documents are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download a copy of the Court’s final order in this case, click here. |
| 06-15-12 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Discipline upon Stipulation concerning Questa Municipal Court Judge Michael G. Rael, Sr., SCT Docket No. 33,633, JSC Inquiry No. 2011-040. The Court accepted Judge Rael’s admissions of willful misconduct in office and ordered that he would be sanctioned with a public censure, 12-month supervised probation and mentorship, and completion of two specified courses at the National Judicial College at his own expense. Public documents are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download copy of the Court’s order, click here. |
| 05-29-12 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Motion to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office Effective May 29, 2012 in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning Eleventh Judicial District Court Judge Thomas J. Hynes, Supreme Court Docket No. 33,610, JSC Inquiry No. 2012-045. Court order accepts the permanent resignation thereby permanently barring Hynes from ever holding judicial office in New Mexico again, and unseals the Supreme Court’s file in the disciplinary matter. All public documents, including the Commission’s petition for temporary suspension and motion, are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download a copy of the final order in this case, click here. |
| 03-08-12 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Motion to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office Effective March 16, 2012 in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning Thirteenth Judicial District Court Judge John W. Pope, Supreme Court Docket No. 29,778, JSC Inquiry No. 2006-046. Court order accepts the permanent resignation thereby permanently barring Pope from ever holding judicial office in New Mexico again, and unseals the Supreme Court’s file in the disciplinary matter. All public documents, including the Commission’s petition for temporary suspension and motion, are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download a copy of the final order in this case, click here. |
| 02-20-12 | Now accepting applications for Investigator position. Applications must be postmarked by March 12, 2012. click here for full position announcement and application instructions. |
| 02-08-12 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Motion to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office Effective February 24, 2012 in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning Third Judicial District Court Judge Michael T. Murphy, Supreme Court Docket No. 32,933, JSC Inquiry No. 2011-069. Court order accepts the permanent resignation thereby permanently barring Murphy from ever holding New Mexico judicial office again, and unseals the Supreme Court’s file in the disciplinary matter. All public documents, including the Commission’s motion with attachments, are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download a copy of the final order in this case, click here. |
| 02-01-12 | Supreme Court adopts the 1997 stipulation agreement between the Commission and former Las Cruces Municipal Court Judge Stephen G. Ryan (SCT Docket No. 33,369, JSC Inquiry Nos. 1996-06, 1996-60 & 1996-65), finds that Ryan will be sanctioned for willful misconduct in office, remands to the Commission for a hearing and recommendations sanctions to be imposed, and unseals the Supreme Court’s file in the matter. All public documents are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download a copy of the Court’s order in this case, click here. |
| 01-23-12 | Phyllis A. Dominguez hired as Investigative Trial Counsel. |
| 11-21-11 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Retirement from Judicial Office Effective December 31, 2011 in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning Dona Ana County Magistrate Olivia Garcia, Supreme Court Docket No. 33,285, JSC Inquiry Nos. 2010-102, 2011-026 & 2011-085. Court order accepts the permanent retirement thereby permanently barring Garcia from ever holding New Mexico judicial office again, and unseals the Supreme Court’s file in the disciplinary matter. All public documents, including the Commission’s petition with attachments, are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download a copy of the final order in this case, click here. |
| 10/19/11 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Discipline upon Stipulation concerning Hon. Kent Wingenroth, Dona Ana County Magistrate Court, SCT Docket No. 33,228, JSC Inquiry No. 2011-020. Public documents are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download copy of the order, click here |
| 10/18/11 | Now accepting applications for Investigative Trial Counsel position. Applications must be postmarked by December 7, 2011. Click here for position announcement. Click here for full job description. |
| 10/11/11 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Retirement from Judicial Office Effective September 30, 2011 in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning San Juan County Magistrate Wilma Charley, Supreme Court Docket No. 33,219, JSC Inquiry Nos. 2010-090 & 2011-059. Court orders accept the permanent retirement and thereby permanently barring Charley from ever holding New Mexico judicial office again, and unseal the Court’s file in the disciplinary matter. All public documents are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download a copy of the orders, click here. |
07/26/11
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Supreme Court grants Commission’s Motion to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Retirement from Judicial Office Effective July 29, 2011 concerning Second Judicial District Judge Albert S. (Pat) Murdoch, Supreme Court Docket No. 33,137, JSC Inquiry No. 2011-068. Court order accepts the permanent retirement and permanently bars Murdoch from ever holding New Mexico judicial office again. All public documents are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office (505-827-4860). To download a copy of this order, click here. |
| 05/31/11 | Supreme Court issues and publishes Formal Reprimand concerning Court of Appeals Judge Robert E. Robles, Supreme Court Docket No. 32,854, JSC Inquiry No. 2011-022. Public documents are available from the NM Supreme Court. To download a copy of this order, click here. |
| 05/31/11 | Supreme Court issues substantive opinion concerning In the Matter of Robert M. Schwartz, Second Judicial District Court, SCT Docket No. 32,422, JSC Inquiry No. 2009-081. The Supreme Court’s file is available to the public by contacting the Supreme Court. To download copy of the Court’s opinion, click here. |
| 05/16/11 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Motion to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Retirement from Judicial Office Effective June 1, 2011 and Consent to Discipline concerning Court of Appeals Judge Robert E. Robles, Supreme Court Docket No. 32,854, JSC Inquiry No. 2011-022. Court order accepts the permanent resignation, permanently bars Robles from judicial office, and imposes a formal reprimand, which will be issued in the future and published in the Bar Bulletin . Public documents are available from the Supreme Court. To download a copy of this order, click here. |
| 05/16/11 | Supreme Court issues order accepting the permanent resignation of Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Sam B. Sanchez, Supreme Court Docket No. 32,557, JSC Inquiry Nos. 2009-124, 2010-009, 2010-019 & 2010-064. Court order permanently bars Sanchez from judicial office, and orders him to pay the Commission within 90 days $1,115.16 in trial costs. The order comes upon the Commission’s Petition for Discipline file after conducting a full evidentiary trial in December 2010. Public documents are available from the Supreme Court. To download a copy of this order, click here. |
| 05/16/11 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Second Verified Petition for Immediate Temporary Suspension and orders the immediate and temporary suspension without pay concerning Hon. Michael T. Murphy, Third Judicial District Court Judge. Supreme Court Docket No. 32,933, JSC Inquiry No. 2011-038. The Supreme Court had denied the Commission’s initial temporary suspension petition in April. Public documents are available from the Supreme Court. To download a copy of the Court’s suspension order, click here. |
| 04/18/11 | John D. Tanberg has been hired to serve as Investigator. |
| 04/06/11 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Discipline upon Stipulation concerning Hon. John Sanchez, Mora County Magistrate Court, SCT Docket No. 32,903, JSC Inquiry Nos. 2009-070, 2009-098, 2010-024, and 2010-076. Public documents are available from the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office. To download copy of order, click here. |
| 03/23/11 | Supreme Court issues and publishes Formal Reprimand concerning former judge, Hon. Rachel Walker, Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, SCT Docket No. 32,910, JSC Inquiry No. 2010-026. To download copy of this order, click here. |
| 03/23/11 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Discipline upon Stipulation concerning former judge, Hon. Rachel Walker, Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, SCT Docket No. 32,910, JSC Inquiry No. 2010-026. To download copy of order, click here. |
| 03/03/11 | Commission is accepting applications for an Investigator through March 18, 2011. Click here for full announcement. |
| 02/18/11 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Immediate Temporary Suspension concerning Hon. Robert E. Robles, Court of Appeals, SCT Docket No. 32,854. Upon stipulation, Judge Robles was temporarily suspended without pay retroactive to February 16, 2011, until the Commission’s inquiry is resolved or until further order of the Court. The Supreme Court’s file has been unsealed and is available to the public by contacting the Supreme Court. To download a copy of the temporary suspension order, click here . |
| 01/14/11 | Commission is accepting applications for an Investigator through January 31, 2011. Click here for full announcement. |
| 12/28/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition to Accept Stipulation Agreement to Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning Hon. Dwight Crenshaw, Lea County Magistrate Court, SCT Docket No. 32,748. The resignation is effective December 31, 2010. To download a copy of the order, click here. |
| 12/27/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Motion to Accept Stipulation Agreement to Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning Hon. Lupe Fuentez, Dexter Municipal Court, SCT Docket No. 32,501. The resignation is effective December 28, 2010. Judge Fuentez had been on unpaid temporary suspension since August 5, 2010. To download a copy of the order, click here. |
| 11/05/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Motion to Accept Stipulation Agreement to Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning Hon. James Locatelli, Las Cruces Municipal Court, SCT Docket No. 29,508. The resignation is effective November 20, 2010. To download a copy of the order, click here. |
| 10/20/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Immediate Temporary Suspension concerning Hon. James Locatelli, Las Cruces Municipal Court, SCT Docket No. 29,508. Judge was immediately suspended without pay until further order of the Court and ordered to have no contact with two individuals or any other witness or complainant in the Commission’s matters. The Supreme Court’s file has been unsealed and is available to the public by contacting the Supreme Court. To download a copy of the order, click here. |
| 10/12/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Discipline concerning the Hon. Robert M. Schwartz, Second Judicial District Court, SCT Docket No. 32,422, JSC Inquiry No. 2009-081. Judge found to have committed willful misconduct in office and will receive the following discipline: $6,000.00 fine, public reprimand, complete sexual harassment course, and take leave during future medication transitions. The Commission’s cost reimbursement request is under advisement. The Court will publish the reprimand in the Bar Bulletin and will publish a formal opinion in the matter. The Supreme Court’s file is available to the public by contacting the Supreme Court. To download copy of the Court’s initial order, click here. |
| 09/21/10 | Patrick C. McNertney, Esq. has been hired to serve as Investigative Trial Counsel. |
| 09/17/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Motion to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning the Hon. Joseph Guillory, Dona Ana County Magistrate Court, SCT Docket No. 31,920, JSC Inquiry No. 2008-094. To download copy of order, click here. |
| 09/03/10 | Commission’s 2010 Annual Report is available online. To view or download the report, click on the “Annual Reports” tab of this website at left. |
| 08/30/10 | Supreme Court denies Commission’s Petition for Discipline upon Stipulation and unseals file concerning Hon. Sam B. Sanchez, Eighth Judicial District Court, SCT Docket No. 32,557. The petition was filed on August 19, 2010 under seal pursuant to Rule 27-104(B) NMRA. To download Court’s orders, click here. |
| 08/25/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Emergency Petition for Immediate Temporary Suspension of Hon. Joseph Guillory, Dona Ana County Magistrate Court, SCT Docket No. 31,920. The Court suspended Judge Guillory retroactively to August 13, 2010 and stated that the order did not affect any pending Commission proceedings concerning the judge. The Commission had filed the petition on August 13, 2010 under seal pursuant to Rule 27-104(B) NMRA. Judge Guillory tendered his resignation to the Governor and the Supreme Court on August 24, 2010. The Supreme Court unsealed its file on August 30, 2010. To download a copy of the Court’s order, click here. |
| 08/24/10 | Supreme Court schedules oral argument on Commission’s August 16, 2010 Petition for Discipline concerning Hon. Robert M. Schwartz, Second Judicial District Court, SCT Docket No. 32,422. The Court also denies Judge Schwartz’s motions to seal or strike the petition and record proper, unseals Supreme Court file, and establishes a briefing schedule. Oral argument on the petition is scheduled for October 12, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at the Supreme Court in Santa Fe. |
| 08/05/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Immediate Temporary Suspension Without Pay concerning Hon. Lupe Fuentez, Dexter Municipal Court Judge, SCT Docket No. 32,501, and unseals Supreme Court file. The Commission filed the petition on July 16, 2010 under seal pursuant to Rule 27-104(B) NMRA. To download a copy of the Court’s order, click here. |
| 06/14/10 | John P. Walsh has been hired to serve as Investigator. |
| 05/26/10 | Commission is accepting applications for an Investigative Trial Counsel. Applications must be postmarked by June 18, 2010. Click here for the full job announcement. |
| 05/14/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Motion to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Retirement from Judicial Office in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings in Matter of Hon. Victoria Grant, Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judge, SCT Docket No. 32,334, JSC Inquiry Nos. 2010-035 through 2010-055. To download a copy of the order, click here. |
| 05/11/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Discipline Upon Stipulation in Matter of Hon. Javier Lozano, Columbus Municipal Court Judge, SCT Docket No. 29,264, JSC Inquiry No. 2009-025. Discipline includes 90-day suspension without pay, formal reprimand, 12-month supervised probation and mentorship, and other measures. To download a copy of the order, click here. |
| 04/30/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Petition for Immediate Temporary Suspension in Matter of Hon. Victoria Grant, Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judge, SCT Docket No. 32,334, JSC Inquiry Nos. 2010-035 through 2010-055. To download a copy of the order, click here. |
| 04/30/10 | Commission is accepting applications for an Investigator through May 14, 2010. Click here for full announcement. |
| 04/13/10 |
Commission adopts comprehensive revisions to its procedural rules. The revised rules will apply to all cases filed on or after May 1, 2010. The new rules are available for viewing and download under the “Governing Provisions of Law” tab on the home page. |
| 03/20/10 | Robin S. Hammer, Esq. hired as Senior Investigative Trial Counsel. |
| 03/03/10 | Following oral argument on respondent’s motion in Matter of Pope, SCT Docket No. 29,778, JSC Inquiry No. 2006-046, Supreme Court amends probation to require monthly rather than weekly check-in with appointed probation supervisor. |
| 02/01/10 | Supreme Court grants Commission’s Motion to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning the Hon. Sabino Ramirez, Hatch Municipal Court, SCT Docket No. 31,664, JSC Inquiry No. 2008-115. To download copy of order, click here. |
| 01/06/10 | New Mexico Supreme Court grants Commission’s Second Petition for Discipline upon Stipulation in Matter of Hon. Joseph Guillory, Dona Ana County Magistrate Court Judge, SCT Docket No. 31,920, JSC Inquiry No. 2008-094. |
| 12/23/09 | Commission considers comprehensive revisions to its procedural rules. Comments due by 1/29/10. Click here to download PDF copy. |
| 12/10/09 | Commission seeks applications for Senior Investigative Trial Counsel/Deputy Director. Click here for posting. |
| 11/18/09 | New Mexico Supreme Court grants Commission Petition to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Retirement from Judicial Office in Lieu of Disciplinary Proceedings in Matter of Ed Wood, Bloomfield Municipal Court Judge, SCT Docket No. 32,034. |
| 8/31/09 | FY 2009 Annual Report released and is now available for viewing and download on this site. |
| 8/10/09 | Randall D. Roybal appointed Executive Director of the Commission. |