Title
Appointment of Felicia L. Orth and Jessica M. Maupin as Alternate Judges for Los Alamos Municipal Court
Recommended Action
I move that the Council approve Felicia L. Orth and Jessica M. Maupin, as submitted by the Municipal Judge, to serve as temporary judges during any temporary incapacity or absence of the duly elected Municipal Judge, for a period not to exceed the Municipal Judge’s current term of office.
Body
County Code of Ordinances Section 26-44 provides for the appointment of temporary judge(s) to ensure the timely hearing and processing of cases during the Municipal Judge’s period of temporary incapacity or absence. Judge Allen is recommending Council’s approval of Felicia Orth and Jessica Maupin to serve as temporary judges during any period of Judge Allen's temporary incapacity or absence.
Felicia Orth is a resident of Los Alamos County pursuant to the requirements in Municipal Code Sec. 26-44. Ms. Orth has a Juris Doctorate (JD) from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has been practicing law in New Mexico since 1987. Ms. Orth has previously been the Los Alamos Assistant County Attorney (1996-2000) and been an Administrative Law Judge for the Air Quality Control Board, the Environmental Protection Agency, the New Mexico Environment Department, the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, the New Mexico Horse Racing Commission and the New Mexico Medical Board. Ms. Orth would serve as Alternate Judge, as filed with the County Clerk, during times when the Municipal Judge would be incapacitated or absent for an extended period of time. Council is being asked to approve the appointment of Felicia L. Orth - who has expressed a desire to act in this capacity.
Jessica M. Maupin is a resident of Los Alamos County pursuant to the requirements in Municipal Code Sec. 26-44. Ms. Maupin has a Juris Doctorate (JD) from University of New Mexico. She has been licensed to practice law in New Mexico since 2006. Ms. Maupin has previously interned at the District Attorneys’ offices in Bernalillo and Santa Fe Counties and practiced law with law firms in New Mexico. Ms. Maupin currently runs her own solo-practice law firm, called The Maupin Law Firm, in Los Alamos, NM, which she started in 2018. Her practice is a general practice which includes courtroom appearances. Ms. Maupin would serve as Alternate Judge, as filed with the County Clerk, during times when the Municipal Judge would be incapacitated or absent for an extended period of time. Council is being asked to approve the appointment of Jessica M Maupin - who has expressed a desire to act in this capacity.
Alternatives
The Council could choose to not have an Alternate Municipal Court Judge. Cases could have to be delayed or dismissed without the service of a Judge.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
The cost for an alternate judge is earmarked in the Municipal Court budget. This amount is budgeted at an est. of $1,500 a year and will be paid as a vendor, not an employee of Los Alamos County.