Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza paid a $600 fine Thursday – a week late – that was part of his discipline for improperly interfering in a case involving a woman with whom he had a personal relationship.
Judicial Standards Commission Director Jim Noel confirmed that his office “received a certified check” from Garza Thursday, “although it was a week late.”
The commission has filed a notice with the New Mexico Supreme Court indicating that Garza paid up. The commission filed a motion Monday seeking an order to show cause after Garza missed the June 22 deadline.
Garza, in a signed filing before the high court, admitted last month to improperly involving himself in a drunken driving case against the woman. He admitted to contacting two other magistrate judges assigned to the case at different times to discuss it with them and, in at least one instance, asked one to set a low bond or no bond.
Garza’s punishment also included a formal reprimand, six months of supervised probation and formal mentorship.
Though Garza admitted to the charges, he seemed to back off his admission days after the high court disciplined him, telling the Las Cruces Sun-News that “I know the difference between wrong and right in my job and I had to admit something for economic reasons.”
He also said the discipline was light because “the facts were very convoluted.”
Garza is unopposed in his re-election bid this year.