2018 Judicial Evaluations

Honorable J. Miles Hanisee New Mexico Court of Appeals

Evaluation: Judge J. Miles Hanisee received generally positive ratings. For example, attorneys rated Judge Hanisee positively for demonstrating appropriate demeanor, for conducting himself in a manner free from impropriety, and for displaying fairness and impartiality toward each side of the case. Court staff rated him positively for rendering opinions without regard to possible public criticism, writing opinions that accurately reflect the evidence in the record, and writing opinions that are appropriate in tone and substance. His fellow appellate judges rated him positively for respecting court employees regardless of position, demonstrating preparation for oral argument, effectively selecting, developing and supervising law clerks and paralegals, and responding to inquiries and requests for assistance promptly. However, court staff rated him somewhat lower on effectively handling ongoing workload and establishing appropriate priorities, and being a hard worker.

Honorable Henry A. Alaniz Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Henry Alaniz received generally positive ratings from all groups surveyed. Attorneys rated him highly for demonstrating appropriate demeanor on the bench, being courteous to all participants, maintaining proper control over the proceedings, and for being attentive to the proceedings. Court staff rated him highly in all areas. Resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) rated him slightly lower for not always displaying fairness and impartiality toward each side of the case.

Honorable Rosie Lazcano Allred Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Rosie Lazcano Allred received positive ratings. For example, attorneys rated Judge Allred highly for being attentive to the proceedings, maintaining proper control over the proceedings, and for ensuring her personal staff is professional, productive and knowledgeable. Court staff rated Judge Allred highly in all areas, particularly for behaving in a manner that encourages respect for the courts. In addition, observations were conducted on behalf of the Commission in Judge Lazcano Allred’s courtroom. Their glowing report ended with the comment, “All observers agreed that if they were to go before Judge Allred, either as a plaintiff or defendant, they would unequivocally receive a fair and impartial hearing.”

Honorable Edward L. Benavidez Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Edward Benavidez received somewhat mixed ratings from the various populations surveyed. Judge Benavidez received positive scores from resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) and court staff, but received lower scores from the attorney population. Attorneys give Judge Benavidez lower ratings when it comes to exercising sound legal reasoning, being knowledgeable regarding substantive law and the rules of procedure and evidence, treating all participants equally, displaying fairness and impartiality toward each side of the case, finding facts and interpreting the law without regard to public criticism, and in their overall satisfaction with his performance as a judge. Judge Benavidez’ ratings among attorneys in these areas are among the lowest in the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. During his interim evaluation in 2016, the Commission discussed areas that needed improvement; however, the ratings in those areas decreased slightly. Further, in some areas that did not appear to need improvement during the interim evaluation, his scores decreased significantly. Judge Benavidez’ ratings among attorneys decreased in every category since the 2016 interim evaluation. During this final retention evaluation, Judge Benavidez did not fully appreciate the deficiencies in his judicial performance.

Honorable Michelle Castillo Dowler Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Overall, Judge Michelle Castillo Dowler’s scores from the surveys were somewhat mixed. Among attorneys surveyed, Judge Castillo Dowler received positive ratings for maintaining control over proceedings and being attentive to proceedings. However, when it comes to treating participants equally, conducting self in a manner free from arrogance, and demonstrating appropriate demeanor on the bench, attorneys rate Judge Castillo Dowler somewhat lower. The resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) gave Judge Castillo Dowler positive ratings. The court staff rated her lower in respecting court employees regardless of position and behaving in a manner that encourages respect for the courts. The Commission also took into account the report from courtroom observers who expressed concern about Judge Castillo Dowler’s demeanor and impartiality.

Honorable Vidalia G. Chavez Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Vidalia Chavez’ scores were generally positive. For example, the lawyers rated Judge Chavez highly for being courteous to all participants, demonstrating appropriate demeanor on the bench, being attentive to proceedings, and for treating pro se parties fairly. The court staff rated Judge Chavez positively on all attributes. The Judge received somewhat lower scores from the resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers).

Honorable Rosemary Cosgrove-Aguilar Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Rosemary Cosgrove-Aguilar received positive scores from all groups. She received high scores from attorneys for being attentive to the proceedings, for treating pro se parties fairly, for maintaining proper control over the proceedings, and for conducting herself in a manner free from impropriety or the appearance of impropriety. Among court staff, she received positive scores for behaving in a manner that encourages respect for the courts and for respecting court employees regardless of position. Resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) gave her positive scores for being attentive to the proceedings and for being courteous to all participants.

Honorable Maria I. Dominguez Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Maria Dominguez received positive ratings from the various populations surveyed. For example, attorneys rate her highly for her knowledge of the law, treating pro se parties fairly, for her oral decisions and communications being clear and thorough, and for displaying familiarity with court cases through prior preparation. Court staff and resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) rate her positively for all attributes. In fact, over the ten years on the bench Judge Dominguez’ scores have trended upward.

Honorable Sandra Engel Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Overall, Judge Sandra Engel received positive scores from the attorneys surveyed. Judge Engel was rated positively for demonstrating appropriate demeanor on the bench, being attentive to proceedings, maintaining proper control over proceedings, and for her ability to decisively rule on procedural and substantive matters. Judge Engel’s scores among attorneys have improved in many areas since her last evaluation; although still reasonably positive, her scores among resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) have gone down slightly in all areas. The court staff rates Judge Engel highly in all areas.

Honorable Yvette K. Gonzales Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Yvette Gonzales rated positively with attorneys for being attentive to the proceedings, maintaining proper control over proceedings, being able to decisively rule on procedural and substantive matters, and for ensuring her personal staff is professional, productive and knowledgeable. In fact, her scores among attorneys improved in all areas. The court staff and resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) rated Judge Gonzales positively on all attributes. Some of the attorneys who responded rated Judge Gonzales somewhat lower when it comes to displaying fairness and impartiality toward each side of the case and not always treating participants equally. Judge Gonzales is aware of this perception and has indicated a commitment to improving in these areas.

Honorable Jill Martinez Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Jill Martinez rated positively among attorneys for being attentive to the proceedings, maintaining proper control over the proceedings, and for ensuring that her personal staff is professional, productive and knowledgeable. Court staff rated her somewhat lower in respecting court employees regardless of position. Resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) rated Judge Martinez positively on all attributes. Attorneys who responded rated Judge Martinez slightly lower for conducting herself in a manner free from impropriety, displaying fairness and impartiality toward each side, conducting herself in a manner free from arrogance and exercising sound legal reasoning. Judge Martinez is aware of this perception and is committed to improving in these areas among attorneys and court staff.

Honorable Kenny C. Montoya Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Kenny Montoya received mixed ratings from the various populations surveyed. Judge Montoya received high ratings from resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers), court staff and jurors. However, Judge Montoya’s ratings among attorneys were somewhat lower. Attorneys rated Judge Montoya positively in being punctual in commencing proceedings, being attentive to the proceedings, maintaining proper control over the proceedings, and for ensuring his personal staff is professional, productive, and knowledgeable of court policies and procedures. However, attorneys rated Judge Montoya somewhat lower in exercising sound legal reasoning, being knowledgeable regarding substantive law and the rules of procedure and evidence, and in overall satisfaction with his performance as a judge. The attorney ratings in these areas were among the lowest in the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. In his interview with the Commission, Judge Montoya failed to recognize and commit to addressing the deficiencies in his judicial performance with regard to exercising sound legal reasoning and being knowledgeable regarding substantive law and the rules of procedure and evidence.

Honorable Daniel E. Ramczyk Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Both groups surveyed gave very positive scores to Judge Daniel Ramczyk. Attorneys rated him highly for his attention during proceedings, punctuality in starting court, treating selfrepresented parties fairly, and making sure his personal staff is productive, professional and knowledgeable. Court staff also rated him positively on all attributes. Courtroom observers noted that he created a friendly environment in the courtroom while keeping parties on topic, controlling noise, and swiftly addressing any disturbances. He took pains to explain his decisions.

Honorable Christine Eve Rodriguez Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Christine Rodriguez received generally positive scores from all groups. She received positive scores from attorneys for maintaining proper control over the proceedings, for being courteous to all participants, for treating pro se parties fairly, and for ensuring that her personal staff is professional, productive and knowledgeable. Among court staff, she received positive scores for behaving in a manner that

encourages respect for the courts and for respecting court employees regardless of position. Resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) gave her positive scores for being attentive to the proceedings and for behaving in a manner that encourages respect for the courts. In her interview with the Commission, Judge Rodriguez demonstrated her commitment to improving her judicial performance.

Honorable Linda S. Rogers Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: The attorneys gave Judge Linda Rogers somewhat mixed scores. Judge Rogers rated positively with attorneys for being attentive to the proceedings, maintaining proper control over the proceedings, displaying familiarity with court cases through prior preparation, and for ensuring that her personal staff is professional, productive and knowledgeable. Court staff rated Judge Rogers positively on all attributes. Attorneys and resource staff rated Judge Rogers somewhat lower for not always displaying fairness and impartiality toward each side of the case and for not always being courteous to all participants. In addition, attorneys gave her a low rating for not always demonstrating appropriate demeanor on the bench. Resource staff scores are among the lowest for Metropolitan Court Judges. These deficiencies were discussed during prior evaluations and her scores still remain lower than those for other Metropolitan Court Judges.

Honorable Frank A. Sedillo Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Frank Sedillo received generally positive ratings. For example, attorneys rated Judge Sedillo highly for maintaining proper control over proceedings, being attentive to the proceedings, and for ensuring his personal staff is professional, productive, and knowledgeable. Court staff rated Judge Sedillo positively in all areas, notably for behaving in a manner that encourages respect for the courts. In addition, observations were conducted on behalf of the Commission in Judge Sedillo’s courtroom. Their report ended with the comment, “Overall, the observers were impressed with Judge Sedillo’s proceedings and agreed that if they had to appear before Judge Sedillo, as a plaintiff or defendant, they would receive a fair and impartial hearing.”

Honorable Renee Torres Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Overall, Judge Renee Torres received positive scores from attorneys surveyed. She was rated positively for demonstrating appropriate demeanor on the bench, for maintaining proper control over proceedings, being courteous to all participants, and for treating all participants equally. Judge Torres received positive ratings in all areas from court staff. Even though Judge Torres’ survey scores from resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) were low, the small sample size has been given major consideration; therefore, the Commission does not consider the low scores to be a significant factor. Judge Torres has proven to be a valuable addition to the Metropolitan Court, especially in taking the lead in the Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Court.

Honorable Victor E. Valdez Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Victor Valdez’ overall survey results were positive. Attorneys rate him highly for being punctual in commencing proceedings, maintaining proper control over the proceedings, and for his ability to decisively rule on procedural and substantive matters. Judge Valdez was also rated highly for ensuring his personal staff is professional, productive and knowledgeable. The resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers) and court staff rate him positively on all attributes.

Honorable Courtney Bryn Weaks Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Evaluation: Judge Courtney Weaks’ overall survey results were positive among attorneys and court staff. Attorneys rate her positively for being courteous to all participants, maintaining proper control over the proceedings, demonstrating appropriate demeanor on the bench, and for being attentive to the proceedings. Judge Weaks was rated positively by court staff on all attributes. Judge Weaks’ scores were somewhat lower among resource staff (e.g., law enforcement officers).