Associated Press
SANTA FE Hugh Dangler has been named as New Mexico's chief public defender, succeeding John Bigelow, who is stepping down in late June.
Gov. Bill Richardson announced Dangler's appointment today.
Dangler currently is the district public defender for north-central New Mexico.
He also has been general counsel for the Regulation & Licensing Department and training director at the Public Defender's Office.
He has a law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law.
Bigelow was appointed as chief public defender when Richardson took office in January 2003.
He says he's leaving to do some projects that he'd been putting off.