Las Cruces attorney Manuel Arrieta is the state’s newest district judge.
Gov. Bill Richardson appointed Arrieta today to the Third Judicial District Court in Doña Ana County. He replaces Robert E. Robles, who Richardson recently appointed to the state appellate court.
Robles is already serving on the higher court, so Arrieta’s appointment to the bench is effective immediately.
“Mannie is a native of southern New Mexico, and his experience and commitment to the community will be an asset to the bench; he is well respected,” Richardson said in a news release.
Arrieta, of La Mesa, has been an attorney since 1985 and run his own law firm since 2001. In addition to working in personal injury, commercial, juvenile and appellate law, he has done legal work for the Democratic Party during elections.
Arrieta has an associate’s degree in radiology and a bachelor’s in business administration from New Mexico State University and a law degree from the University of Michigan.