It’s Robles: Guv makes appellate court choice official

As expected, Gov. Bill Richardson on Friday appointed Robert E. Robles to the New Mexico Court of Appeals.

Robles will be leaving behind a job as chief judge of the Third Judicial District Court in Doña Ana County to replace Ira Robinson on the state’s second-highest court.

“This position comes with an awesome responsibility — one which I do not take lightly,” Richardson said Friday at a ceremony in Las Cruces. “An appellate judge should be principled and fair. Judge Robles is that and so much more. He is an experienced trial judge, he is intelligent and professional, he’s a legal scholar, he’s a seasoned manager who understands New Mexico’s judiciary, and he commands respect. You know where you stand with Judge Robles.”

Robles has more than 32 years of legal experience, including 17 as a judge in the Third Judicial District, where he has served as chief judge for nine years.

Robles will have to run for the appellate court seat in 2010.