Susan Riedel
Gov. Susana Martinez has named two prosecutors who used to work for her to fill vacancies on the Third Judicial District Court in Las Cruces.
The new judges are Susan M. Riedel and Jacinto Palomino, both Republicans. Riedel has been the chief deputy district attorney in Las Cruces for years, and Palomino is a deputy district attorney in the office.
Both worked in that office during Martinez’s tenure as district attorney, which ended when she was sworn in as governor last month. They replace Democrats Jerald A. Valentine and Stephen Bridgforth, who both retired from the bench last month.
“Ms. Riedel and Mr. Palomino have dedicated their careers to protecting New Mexico’s children and families and upholding the law to the fullest extent,” Martinez said in a news release announcing the appointments.
Jacinto Palomino
“Both have served capably as prosecutors and have proven themselves as tenacious and fair representatives of New Mexico’s legal system,” Martinez said. “I am confident that Ms. Riedel and Mr. Palomino will be fair and honest judges who will impartially apply the law.”
Here’s more about Riedel, from the news release:
“Susan M. Riedel currently serves as chief deputy district attorney for New Mexico’s Third Judicial District, overseeing attorney training with a focus on the Children’s Court Attorney and the Probation Violation Division. Riedel previously served as the child support enforcement hearing officer and special master for Family Violence Protection Hearings and Children’s Court Detention Hearings for the Twelfth Judicial District in Alamogordo.
“Prior to that, she served as an assistant district attorney for the Third Judicial District and a deputy district attorney for the Second Judicial District in Albuquerque. Riedel earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.”
And about Palomino:
“Jacinto Palomino currently serves as deputy district attorney for New Mexico’s Third Judicial District, overseeing the Violent Felony Offense Unit. He also serves as senior defense counsel for the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army Reserve.
“Prior to joining the district attorney’s office, Palomino practiced family law and criminal defense as a private practice attorney in San Jose, CA. Prior to his legal career, Palomino served in the United States Marine Corps as a heavy vehicle operator. He earned his law degree from the University of California at San Francisco Hastings College of Law in San Francisco, CA.”
Update, 4:35 p.m.
The Democratic Party of New Mexico released this statement from its secretary, Christy French:
“This is a clear case of cronyism and political payback for a loyal soldier. Gov. Martinez talks about changing the way business is done, but her actions show she’s just another back-room dealer. First she let lawyers and lobbyists try to stop clean-water protections; now she gives a long-time friend and recipient of huge taxpayer bonuses a plum judgeship. Typical.”