Jerry Gonzales Jr.

AGE: 44

EDUCATION: High school OCCUPATION: Retired RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Former owner of Jerry Gonzales Bail Bonding. In 1991, I became a licensed bail bondsman and began working in my family’s business. In 2006, I purchased the business from my parents. I worked with residents of Santa Fe County to assist families who needed to bail family members or loved ones out of jail, and who also needed questions answered regarding the court system and pending litigation.

During my years in bail bonding, I also acquired experience working within the court system, often being the first person to work with litigants, their family, friends, and also working with those impacted by ongoing cases,, such as the judges, counsel and victims. I gained quintessential knowledge of the court system, the laws and the day-to-day workings of the Magistrate Court process.

WHY I’M RUNNING: I decided to run for Magistrate Court judge because I want to make a difference in our community. I want to help make Santa Fe a safer place to live. Public safety and accountability are my focus, but also addressing underlying issues, such as drug addiction and mental illness.

If elected, I would work closely with public safety agencies, electronic monitoring, mental illness health services, and drug and alcohol abuse centers to try and tackle these issues that our community is facing.

Last but not least, I want to help restore faith in our judicial system.

BACKGROUND QUESTIONS

1. Have you or your business — if you are a business owner — ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens? No.

2. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding? No.

3. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony? When I was 18, I was arrested, but not convicted of, minor in possession of alcohol.