On November 12, 2008 Governor Bill Richardson made his final appointment for the State Court of Appeals. Now all three appointed judges will have to run in partisan races in November of 2010.Judge Tim Garcia in 2007 was the first and only Judge to rule against allowing the death penalty in a state case because he viewed it as unconstitutional.
“Garcia cited studies' findings that jurors decide on a penalty prematurely, which he said constitutes arbitrary and capricious violation of the federal and state constitution.”
Judge Garcia was first elected to serve on the District Court in November of 2002. Judge Garcia is the third and final appointment for the court of appeal until another seat becomes available which will mostly likely be appointed by a future Governor but needless to say Governor Bill Richardson has left his mark upon the New Mexico Court System during his time in office.
From the Governor’s Press Release
“Judge Garcia holds a degree in business from the University of New Mexico as well as a law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law. He is a member of the New Mexico Bar Association, National Hispanic Bar Association, the New Mexico Sentencing Commission and the United States Tennis Association.
Judge Garcia is filling a seat that will be left vacant by Judge Joseph Alarid. Judge Garcia’s appointment to the Court of Appeals is effective on January 1st, 2009. He will be required to run in the election for his Court of Appeals seat in the 2010 general election.”
