Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull presents former Magistrate Judge Pat Casados, center, with a certificate honoring her for her work as Magistrate Judge as husband Jeff Casados stands by her side at Tuesday night’s meeting. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Council honored former Magistrate Judge Pat Casados with a special Certificate of Recognition for her excellent and longtime work on the bench, at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Vice Council Chair Theresa Cull read the Certificate of Recognition:

WHEREAS, the Honorable Pat A. Casados was elected by the citizens of Los Alamos to preside over the Los Alamos County Magistrate Court beginning in 2003; and

WHEREAS, the citizens reelected the Honorable Casados to serve five, four-year terms, where she faithfully upheld the Constitution and Laws of the State of New Mexico before deciding not to seek a sixth term; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Casados performed her duties during the best of times, conducting over 400 weddings, swearing in new police officers and relocating the Magistrate Court Room to the County’s new Judicial Center Building; and

WHEREAS, she also performed her duties through the challenging Las Conchas and Cerro Pelado wildfires, floods and COVID pandemic; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Casados was also elected and served as secretary and president of the New Mexico Magistrate Judges Association, a non-profit established in 1970 to advocate for legislation and court funding; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Casados served as a member of the New Mexico Judges Council, working with the Supreme Court and Chief Judges of the state to better the judiciary for all citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Casados worked closely with legislators to ensure the judiciary of the state was funded and was able to provide services for all communities; and

WHEREAS, she passed along her knowledge and expertise as a mentor judge for many new judges to the bench.

NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby recognize THE HONORABLE PAT A. CASADOS

We commend her dedication to Los Alamos and New Mexico and thank her for always having an open mind and instilling public confidence through her fair and impartial decisions on the bench. We wish her the best in all her next endeavors.