Fairness Friday

Every Friday, I share a new Fairness Friday post to help educate our community about the role of the Magistrate Court and Magistrate Judge then I explain how our justice system works, and discuss the principles that guide my approach to serving as Santa Fe County Magistrate Judge.

I believe an informed community is a stronger community. Understanding our Magistrate Court helps build confidence in the judicial system, and reminds us that justice is about more than laws, it’s about fairness, accountability, and treating every person with dignity and respect.

Through this series, I’ll cover topics such as:

• The types of cases handled in Magistrate Court.

• The role of a Magistrate Judge

• Civil and criminal court processes

• Preliminary hearings and what they are designed to accomplish

• Landlord and tenant disputes

• The difference between Magistrate Court and District Court

• Traffic and misdemeanor cases

• The importance of judicial ethics, integrity and impartiality

Whether you are a first time visitor to a courtroom or simply want to learn more about the justice system, I invite you to join me each Friday as we continue building a stronger, safer, and more informed Santa Fe County.

Justice begins with understanding. Fairness begins with knowledge.