Post Archive by Year

On February 6, 2018, the Commission filed a Petition for Immediate Temporary Suspension concerning Hon. Joe I. Dominguez, Tucumcari Municipal Court Judge, the day following his arrest for DWI.  On February 14, 2018, Judge Dominguez stipulated to the temporary suspension, which the Commission filed with the Court.  On February 22, 2018, the Supreme Court granted the motion, accepted the stipulation … Read More

On February 12, 2018, the Supreme Court issued an order adopting the Commission’s findings of fact and conclusions of law that were filed with the Commisison’s Petition for Permanent Removal from Judicial Office.  The Court also accepted Castaneda’s resignation, which he tendered while awaiting the Supreme Court’s hearing on the Commission’s petition for his removal, and ordered that he be … Read More

The Commission has completed a comprehensive review and revision of its procedural rules. Commentary on the proposed amendments to the rules is requested from the bench, bar, and public.  To be considered by the Commission, comments must be received by March 16, 2018, and may be sent either by email to rules@nmjsc.org or by mail to P.O. Box 27248, Albuquerque, … Read More

On December 4, 2017, the Commission filed a Petition to Accept Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings concerning Sandoval County Probate Court Judge Lawrence D. McClain.  On December 18, 2017, the Supreme Court granted the petition, ordered that McClain’s resignation be effective at 5:00 p.m. the same day, and permanently barred him from holding judicial … Read More

On November 22, 2017, the Commission filed a Petition to Accept Stipulation Agreement and Consent to discipline with the Supreme Court concerning Colfax County Magistrate Judge Warren G. Walton. On December 18, 2017, the Supreme Court granted the Commission’s petition and ordered the stipulated discipline: three (3) weeks suspension from office without pay, imposition of which deferred on successful completion … Read More

Following oral argument by the parties on October 23 2017, the Supreme Court granted the Commission’s removal petition and ordered that Hon. Connie Lee Johnston, San Juan County Magistrate Court Judge, be immediately and permanently removed from judicial office.  To download a copy of the order, click here.

Following a trial in April 2017, on October 10, 2017 the Commission filed a Petition for Permanent Removal from Judicial Office concerning Hon. Henry T. Castañeda, Eddy County Magistrate Court Judge.  To download a copy of the petition, click here.

On October 4, 2017, the Commission filed a Petition for Immediate Temporary Suspension without Pay concerning Sierra County Probate Court Judge Pamela D. Smith. A week later on October 11, 2017, the Commission filed a Motion to Accept Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings. Later the same day, the Supreme Court issued an order granting … Read More

On February 1, 2017, the Supreme Court granted the Commission’s Petition to Accept Stipulation to Permanent Resignation from Judicial Office in Lieu of Further Disciplinary Proceedings, approving the Stipulation, ordering the resignation that Third Judicial District Court Judge Darren Kugler’s resignation tendered during the Commission’s proceedings be permanent effective on February 1, 2017, and unsealing the proceedings.  To download a copy of … Read More