Municipal court closes temporarily

Mayor Ravi Bhasker announced today that the City of Socorro will close the municipal court for two weeks following the resignation of Joseph Gutierrez from his position as Municipal Judge.

“He (Guiterrez) did not give me any warning that he was going to go ahead and file for another office. But the law is that the municipal judge, if he files for another office, has to resign from his position,” Bhasker said on Thursday.

At Tuesday's Socorro City Council meeting, Gutierrez publicly submitted his resignation and recommended the court's administrator, Brittany McDaniel, as alternate judge, saying her familiarity with the court would prevent delays.

Bhasker called the administrator recommendation highly unusual. However, he said he would meet with McDaniel on Wednesday but noted the statute requires another judge to fill a temporary municipal judge vacancy.

Gutierrez, who filed to run for county assessor last week, on Thursday said he was disappointed they were shutting down the court for two weeks.

“I really wish they would have been able to transition over to put a certain individual in there as an alternative judge, just to keep the court running smoothly. That didn't happen.” Gutierrez said.

Bhasker said he was caught off guard by the lack of advance notice, which he said has prevented a smooth transition and contributed to operational gaps. He said he is currently without a court administration, so he is working with the municipal league on how to handle the docket, warrants, and payments.

“I now have to say to the people that might be on the docket or have warrants or have payments to either hold on to them, or they can come into City Hall if they want to make a payment if they're concerned about it, and we will put it into a different account. And then once we decide, we figure out how we are supposed to separate the money.” Bhasker said.

While the court is closed, Bhasker said, he will work toward appointing a new municipal judge—with city council approval—in compliance with guidance from state and municipal organizations.

At the city meeting, Gutierrez said he hoped that the city would keep the municipal court, which he "fought hard to keep."

“I still feel very strongly that any municipality, including Socorro, needs a third branch of government. I think the municipal courts should stay intact,” Gutierrez said on Thursday, “They shouldn't try to abolish it.”

The municipal court's future was questioned last year following a 30% judge's raise and a subsequent public hearing on abolishment; the council ultimately voted 5-1 to keep the court, while still acknowledging budget concerns.

An appointment for a municipal judge is expected to be presented at the next city council meeting for a vote.