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Front Page
opinion editorials
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Endorsements for 2nd Judicial District
DIVISION IX — Benjamin Chavez: Chavez sees a move to state District Court and its felony cases as a natural progression in his career. The son of a former appellate court judge, he has experience in civil and criminal cases as an attorney in private practice, an assistant district attorney, an assistant city attorney and for the past three and a half years as a Metropolitan Court judge.
He says in the course of gaining that experience — prosecuting DWI, domestic violence and narcotics cases; targeting substandard motels, housing and bars; defending civil rights; plowing through 25,000 cases in three years — he's fallen “in love with the work.” And that work has also brought home the fact that the court's “important, serious proceedings ... can proceed with a quiet dignity, a sure-handedness and a firm approach.”
One reflection of that is Chavez's hearing cases involving homeless defendants at homeless shelters. The Homeless Court preserves the dignity of defendants who may be anxious about appearing in court or embarrassed about their appearance.
Chavez also understands what it takes to be a good judge and what it takes to run a court system. He helps organize the conclave where judges earn legal education credits and works with the Legislature on judicial issues.
Chavez takes the position of judge “very seriously” and says that even when you take off the black robes you must “carry the dignity of the court with you.” The winner of the Democratic primary faces no GOP opposition in the fall. Voters should help Chavez bring that dignity to the District Court bench June 3.
DIVISION XXV — Elizabeth E. Whitefield: Whitefield was appointed to a Family Court vacancy last summer after being recommended for the position by the Judicial Nominating Commission. Though his name remains on the ballot, Metropolitan Court Judge Frank Sedillo withdrew from the race and threw his support to Whitefield, whose career has been devoted to the increasingly complex area of family law.
This is a specialized court, and Whitefield is exceptionally well qualified. Families facing the trauma inherent in the breakup of a marriage and the ensuing disputes over custody and property will benefit from her expertise and compassionate but careful approach. The Journal recommends Elizabeth Whitefield in the Democratic primary.
DIVISION XXVI — Charles W. Brown: A welding certificate from Haskell Indian Junior College was an appropriate goal for the son of an Oklahoma oilfield worker, but Brown went on to get an AA degree from Haskell and a bachelor's degree in humanities from Baker University before the Indian law program drew him to the University of New Mexico.
Gov. Bill Richardson last summer selected Brown from a list of qualified candidates for an opening on the 2nd Judicial District bench. It was the second time the Judicial Nominating Commission had put Brown on the short list for consideration.
His legal experience includes some private civil and criminal defense work and prosecution for New Mexico district attorneys and for the U.S. attorney in Anchorage, Alaska. In addition to teaching law courses at UNM, he has been an ambassador for the U.S. legal system in the Balkans, Turkey, Central Asia and Japan. Brown brings a respectful, even temperament to the bench, and part of that may be due to “the idea of being as normal as I can,” he says. “It's a job, not a religion. ... I put on the robe, and I do the work.” And when he puts down the gavel, he's likely to pick up a welding torch and “bend some iron” to relax.
The Journal endorses District Judge Charles W. Brown in the Democratic primary.
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