Courts

County Council Appoints Bill McKerley Probate Judge

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Los Alamos County Clerk Sharon Stover swears in new Probate Judge Bill McKerley following his appointment this evening by Council. Screen Shot/LADP

Staff Report:

The Los Alamos County Council this evening appointed Bill McKerley to the position of Probate Judge. 

Current Probate Judge Christine Chandler is set to resign her position effective Feb. 20, 2016 and the Council has the responsibility of appointing a qualified individual to fill the unexpired term.

Four residents submitted letters expressing interest in the position including:

  • Bill McKerley;
  • Anne Nobile;
  • Michael Redondo;
Read More

Luján On Death Of Supreme Court Justice Scalia

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Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

From The Office Of Rep. Ben Ray Luján

SANTA FE – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement Saturday evening on the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Scalia, 79, was found dead of apparent natural causes Saturday at a resort in Texas.

“Justice Antonin Scalia dedicated much of his life to public service and never wavered in his dedication to the Court. Over his three decades of service as a Supreme Court Justice, he took his duty to interpret the law seriously. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Maureen, Read More

District Attorney’s Office Issues Scam Alert

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DA News:

The District Attorney’s Office is alerting residents to a scam underway in Los Alamos and surrounding areas.

The caller identifies himself or herself as an investigator with the District Attorney’s Office, talks about some case and says they need to clear warrants and collect money.

The District Attorney’s Office said residents are reporting receiving a call from the same telephone number: 505.221.3486. DO NOT call this number back, rather hang up and call the Los Alamos Police Department at 505.662-8222 or the District Attorney’s Office at 505.827.5000. Read More

Probate Judge Vacancy: Change In Process

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COUNTY News:

Upon further review of State statute, the Los Alamos County Attorney has determined the County should change the end date for the term that had been specified in earlier public notifications about the upcoming Probate Judge vacancy. 

The selected applicant who fills the vacancy left by current Probate Judge Christine Chandler will fill the position until Dec. 31, 2016. The original notice to the public for letters of interest last month had indicated that the successful applicant would fill Chandler’s unexpired term, which began in 2014 and expires in 2018. However, with Read More

U.S. Marshals Selling Madoff Jewelry

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Ruth Madoff’s diamond tennis bracelet on the auction block through  Feb. 16, 2016 at www.txauction.com. Courtesy/U.S. Marshals Office

Ruth Madoff’s antique emerald and diamond neclace on the auction block through Feb. 16, 2016 at www.txauction.com. Courtesy/U.S. Marshals Office

Ruth Madoff’s antique diamond brooch on the auction block through Feb. 16, 2016 at www.txauction.com. Courtesy/U.S. Marshals Office

U.S. MARSHALS News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Marshals are selling six pieces of jewelry that formerly belonged to Bernard and Ruth Madoff in an Read More

Legislation To Give Judges Full Picture Of Criminal Histories Passes House

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STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― A bill that will give judges access to the full criminal histories of violent offenders passed the House Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee by a 7-0 vote.
 
House Bill 72, also called Jaydon’s Law, is sponsored by Reps. Nate Gentry and Paul Pacheco.
 
“Currently, judges don’t have access to a complete view a criminal defendants violent criminal history,” Gentry said. “This bill will give them the information they need to make fully informed sentencing and pre-trial decisions.”
 
Current law prohibits judges from considering
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‘Three Strikes’ Legislation Passes First Committee

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STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― Legislation to reform New Mexico’s existing “three strikes” law, also referred to as “Lilly’s Law,” passed the House Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee Thursday Jan. 21, on a party-line vote.
 
House Bill 56 is sponsored by Rep. Paul Pacheco. The bill would help close New Mexico’s criminal justice revolving door that has allowed dangerous career criminals out of jail free to commit additional acts of violence.
 
“The current statute is a three strikes law in name only,” Pacheco said. “Judges need this tool in order to reduce violent
Read More

Los Alamos County Probate Judge Vacancy: Reminder To Submit Letters Of Interest

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COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County would like to remind individuals interested in the upcoming Probate Judge vacancy to send in their letter of interest by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5. No letters have been received yet.

The Council is responsible for filling the vacancy that will be left by current Probate Judge Christine Chandler’s resignation that takes effect Feb. 20, 2016. The successful applicant will fill the unexpired term, which began in 2014 and expires in 2018. Under State law, any qualified person over the age of 18 who is a resident of Los Alamos County may serve. Interested applicants should Read More

Earthjustice: Supreme Court Ruling A Win For Clean Energy

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The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. Courtesy/Earthjustice

EARTHJUSTICE News:

  • Decision helps reduce barriers to critical clean energy resource, reducing rates and enhancing grid reliability

Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision that ensures that a critically important clean energy resource will continue to provide key benefits in our wholesale energy markets.

It decided that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has the authority to remove barriers to “demand response” programs, which compensates consumers for reducing their Read More

Attorney General Balderas Files Suit Against Volkswagen, Audi & Porsche For Using Diesel Emission-Cheating Software

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New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Today, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that he filed suit on behalf of the State of New Mexico against Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, and their U.S. subsidiaries for state air quality control act and deceptive trade practice act violations.

The Office of the Attorney General’s Fraud Recovery Strike Force filed the suit in state District Court yesterday afternoon. The Attorney General’s suit stems from Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche’s admitted use of emissions-cheating software in diesel-powered vehicles Read More