NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/tag/crime/page/33/)
It’s time to admit that the war on drugs is a failure and agree to turn instead to dealing with drugs as a public health problem. Wouldn’t it be better to spend the money on clinics that might treat illnesses instead of on locking up nonviolent people? Continue Reading
Pat Garrett was a real-life hero who was honored and respected, while Billy the Kid is a myth made up in the 1926 book by Walter Noble Burns. It is an insult to the Garrett family when people celebrate a myth and forget the real story. Continue Reading
Campaign contributors often get appointments. The line between politicking and bribery is crossed when the donation buys the appointment or is intended to influence the process. Did indicted Third Judicial District Judge Mike Murphy cross that line? Continue Reading
Lately, some people I know have been arrested for what seem to be administrative rather than criminal offenses. I never want to see someone in handcuffs because they have weeds in their yard. Continue Reading
A former N.M. Corrections Department official is already under indictment for taking bribes from one company; now, a newly released audit indicates that the problems extend beyond that company. Continue Reading
The Code of Judicial Conduct requires judges to report colleagues who are likely committing ethical violations, and yet, for years, many judges knew about the pay-to-play claims Judge Mike Murphy was making, but no one reported them. Continue Reading
Many New Mexicans believe “pay for play” is our state motto. Nope, other states got that first. Ours is: “$howing $ufficient re$pect in the give-to-go Land of Enticement.” Continue Reading
District Judge Jim T. Martin says he agreed to not hear criminal cases for the time being because of “one-sided reports to the media” that could lead to criticism of decisions he would make in such cases. Continue Reading
UPDATED: A statement in a law enforcement report might imply that the N.M. Supreme Court’s chief justice may have paid a bribe in exchange for his job, but Charles W. Daniels says he did no such thing. Continue Reading
My firsthand experience is that Governor Bill Richardson took the job of appointing judges seriously and deliberated carefully about the merits of every candidate he considered. Continue Reading
Third Judicial District Judge Mike Murphy pleaded not guilty today to felony bribery charges. He was booked and fingerprinted at the courthouse, but posted bond and was not taken to the county jail. Continue Reading
District Judge Jim T. Martin won’t hear criminal cases for the time being because of an investigation that has already resulted in bribery charges against another judge and has led Martin to retain an attorney. Continue Reading
Former Gov. Bill Richardson says any suggestion that campaign contributions influenced his judicial appointments is “outrageous and defamatory.” Continue Reading
N.M. Court of Appeals Judge Robert E. Robles, who pleaded guilty to drunken driving in March, has agreed to retire from the bench and never again seek a judgeship. Continue Reading
UPDATED: The N.M. Supreme Court has suspended Third Judicial District Judge Mike Murphy, who was indicted last week on bribery charges. Continue Reading