Las Cruces Judge Suspended

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – The state Supreme Court has suspended a Las Cruces magistrate and reprimanded him after allegations he disparaged a presiding judge, shouted at a defendant, chatted about ongoing trials during smoking breaks and napped on the job.

The court suspended Magistrate Joseph Guillory without pay for 60 days, effective Jan. 9.

He will be required to complete 12 months of supervised probation and go through a formal mentorship.

Guillory was accused of referring to Presiding Judge Oscar Frietze condescendingly within earshot of the public and court staff last year.

He’s also accused of raising his voice at a defendant, banging his fists on the bench and telling the defendant to sit down and shut up.

And he alleged refused to arraign defendants in some cases and didn’t sentence people properly.

—

Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com