Blankenhorn most qualified for magistrate

In Taos County, the busiest court is the magistrate court, overseen by two judges. For defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, police, lawyers (for both sides), interested spectators, it’s where the action is.

Until last month this court had but one judge, Ernie Ortega. Judge Jeff Shannon, an attorney, served with Ernie for seven years, but last fall was elevated to our 8th Judicial District Court by New Mexico Governor Michelle Luhan Grisham.

This March, Gov. Grisham appointed nine-year Taos attorney Sara Blankenhorn, 37, to Shannon’s vacated seat to serve through December or longer, depending on the June primary election results. Sara is on the ballot, joined by two others – retired New Mexico State Police Lieutenant Edwardo Martinez, 44, and lifelong Native American public employee, Charlene Tsoodle-Marcus, 72.

I’m wholeheartedly supporting Judge Sara Blankenhorn, who, along with her arborist husband, Jim Johnston, have two boys, aged 5 and 7.

The soul of the United States Constitution is the Bill of Rights. It speaks to, among other matters, citizens’ critical rights, including free speech, religious freedom, freedom of assembly and judicial procedures. Above all, the sacred concepts of liberty, property and reputation (LPR) are protected.

Ideally, the courts shield us from the government and all others who attack our LPR. An incorrect verdict can unfairly deprive us of all [three] – often with lifealtering consequences.

Further, many rights are defined, including: warrants issued only upon probable cause; rights to confront our accusers, remain silent, have legal representation and trial by an impartial judge and jury.

A judge must guarantee the above, making many rulings before, during and after a trial; it’s one critical decision after another, focused on the rights of plaintiffs and defendants, and the law.

Clever, experienced lawyers duke it out at every turn, citing facts, statutory law, case law, questioning witnesses, and on and on. Everyone is seeking victory for their side (frequently attempting to get away with something). A judge must be knowledgeable, quick thinking, confident and correct – who’s lying, telling the truth, or innocently mistaken? And, always, the extensive and complicated rules of evidence and jury instructions must be respected and understood.

Now comes the two leading candidates, Sara and Edwardo. Both were raised in Taos and graduated from Taos High School. Sara went on to college, gaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in philosophy. Then, UNM Law School, passing the N.M. Bar Exam, followed by nine years practicing law.

She worked for the Santa Fe public defender’s office and district attorney, specializing in domestic violence and DWI prosecutions. More recently, she’s focused on representing clients in Taos courts, including the Community Against Violence and many others in criminal and civil cases.

I don’t know Sara, but I’ve spoken to many who do, including several respected attorneys. All are enthusiastic and support her candidacy.

I know and like Edwardo. I respect his 20 years as a state cop, retiring as lieutenant. Had he chosen to follow an educational path as Sara did, I’d probably support his judicial ambitions. But he’s a cop, not a trained and experienced lawyer. He’d be totally lost on the bench. His fellow officers – many are surely close friends, as are district attorney prosecutors – would be in his court every day.

Working with this crew, Edwardo’s spent 20 years fighting to find people guilty. It’s unfair to expect Edwardo to be impartial when evaluating the testimony and evidence presented by his friends.

Further, Edwardo has no experience with civil law, such as landlord-tenant disputes, a totally different world than criminal law. And knowing the challenges of being elected as a Republican in Taos County, he recently switched parties, now a Democrat to bolster his chances of winning the election in November.

Remember our LPR – liberty, property, reputation. This is what we risk in court. Liberty is your freedom, hindered probation to prison. Property is money and possessions. Your reputation can be easily destroyed by a judge’s ruling. A good judge is impartial, knowledgeable and wise.

A trained judge has a computer on the table, quickly able to find legal definitions, statutory law and case law. Errors, small or great, are instantly avoided.

Taos, we are lucky to have such a qualified candidate for our magistrate court. Don’t let this one get away. Vote for Sara Blankenhorn.