John Rysanek
AGE: 46 EDUCATION: Juris Doctor, UNM School of Law (2011); Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, University of Phoenix, Albuquerque (2004). OCCUPATION: Deputy district attorney
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
I have nearly seven years’ experience as a practicing attorney, all of it working as a prosecutor for the 1st Judicial District Attorney. I started prosecuting DWIs in Magistrate Courts in Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties. In 2013, I was promoted to senior trial attorney where, for a short time, I prosecuted felony probation violations in the First Judicial District Court. I was made the junior attorney for the Intake Department where I handled third- and fourth-degree general felonies. In 2015, I was promoted to deputy DA and tasked with running the Intake Department. As the senior intake attorney, first- and second-degree general felonies were added to my caseload. I have bench and jury trial experience ranging from a first DWI to seconddegree murder.
WHY I’M RUNNING: Judges in the Magistrate Court have an incredible responsibility to their community. On a daily basis, they make decisions that directly affect public safety, which requires attention to the nuances of the law, the rules of criminal procedure, Santa Fe at large, and the circumstances of the case before them.
In this context, I will, to the best of my ability, create positive change within the Magistrate Court system. I have dedicated my career to public service, and believe that service should be efficient and productive. I have worked within the Magistrate Court system for my entire legal career as an ADA and then later as a Deputy DA, and this gives me the unique ability to “hit the ground running” if elected with, in my opinion, a shorter learning curve. If elected, the inevitably difficult decisions presented by the office of Magistrate Judge will be made in a fair and impartial manner, informed by both my experience in the court and my dedication to honesty and integrity. My commitment to justice will result in a fair and impartial forum for any party before me. Regarding improvements to the current magistrate court system, I will advocate for a Veterans Court for Santa Fe County similar to the one in Albuquerque. Restorative justice, with the consent of all parties, will be an option in my courtroom.
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? Yes, I declared bankruptcy not long after my divorce, so either 2001 or 2002.
3. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony? No.