"The Robing Room: NM State Judges

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Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

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What others have said about Hon. Elizabeth Whitefield

Comments

Court Staff

Comment #: NM220
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This judge has been out of the courthouse most of the last 5 years. As an "elected official" that is acceptable and I understand that. It is unfortunate that she has cancer BUT it's a huge disservice to the public and to court staff (including other judges) that her cases are so far behind because the work load is huge. Others take her cases but other court staff are resentful because she continues to collect her full pay. Other judges will not complain because they want the same benefit if they are sick for an extended period of time. Why resign if you can collect your full pay FOREVER? The cost to taxpayers is unfair and it is definitely a morale issue for regular court staff that will never have the ability for that benefit. Meanwhile another judge cannot fill her spot (and take on her cases) because she is being paid as if she were there. Court funds are tight so there is no option to hire a pro tem. Conceivably she could stay in that position until death and collect full pay AND benefits. This was surely not the intent of the law. Voters are mostly unaware of this but they should be. NM should revise the laws on this issue and this judge should do the right thing and resign/retire immediately. Her retirement benefits are generous.