Long-time police officer, judge becomes next leader of Doña Ana District Court

LAS CRUCES – Conrad Perea was appointed to lead the Third Judicial District Court during an internal vote on March 29.

Perea replaces Judge Manuel Arrieta, who served as chief judge from May 2019 until March 2023. Perea’s four-year term began in April and lasts until May 2025.

Perea was appointed to the District Court in 2017 by former Gov. Susana Martinez after Judge Darren M. Kugler resigned after a scandal. Before becoming a district judge, Perea held more than 35 years of legal work and law enforcement experience.

Chief judges in New Mexico district courts are responsible for a slew of administrative duties. They supervise court staff and oversee the other judges.

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Perea, who hails from Anthony, worked at the Las Cruces Police Department from 1979 to July 1999. During that time, he ran the Las Cruces-Doña Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency and led the Las Cruces Police Academy. According to previous reporting, Perea is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy and the Border Patrol Academy.

After a career as a police officer, Perea jumped to the legal side of criminal justice. According to previous reporting, Perea graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Arts in government in 2000. He then received his law degree from the University of Denver in 2004.

Then, from 2005 to 2006, Perea served as assistant district attorney for the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which includes Cibola, Valencia and Sandoval Counties. In 2007, Perea returned to Doña Ana County to join the 3rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. In 2010, Perea became a judge in the Magistrate Court.

According to New Mexico law governing judges, the complete list of a chief judge's responsibilities includes:

• Administer established policy concerning the court's internal operations;

• Call and preside over regular and special meetings of the judges;

• Appoint standing and special committees as may be advisable to assist in the proper performance of the duties and functions of the court;

• Designate one of the judges to act in the chief judge's absence or inability to act;

• Exercise responsibility as the administrative authority in accordance with the provisions of law and the New Mexico Judicial Branch Personnel Rules and ensure the enforcement of those rules;

• Exercise general supervision, coordination, and direction of the business of the court;

• Supervise the performance of the court's administrative office;

• Supervise court finances, including financial planning and preparation and presentation of court budgets;

• Coordinate the use of space, equipment, and facilities of the court;

• Assign, reassign, or consolidate cases among the several judges as equitably as possible. Except with respect to specialty courts consisting of a single judge, cases shall be assigned by random selection designed so that each judge will receive substantially the same number and type of cases. If a judge is unable to administer the cases assigned to such judge within a reasonable time, or if there are other justifiable reasons, the chief judge, in consultation with the other judges, may reassign cases to other judges within the district;

• have published for general distribution copies of a current calendar setting forth the judicial assignments of the judges, the times and places assigned for hearing court matters, and any special calendaring requirement deemed necessary by the chief judge;

• Prepare an orderly plan of vacations for all court personnel and for attendance at schools, conferences, and workshops for judges and other court personnel;

• Provide an orientation program for new judges as soon as possible after their election or appointment;

• Provide for liaison between the court and other governmental or civic agencies;

• When appropriate, meet with or designate a judge or judges to meet with committees of the bench, bar, news media, or community to review problems and to promote understanding of the administration of justice;

• Oversee juror management;

• Implement and monitor compliance with all policies, rules, and regulations issued by the supreme court;

• Perform such other administrative and substantive functions as are necessary for the efficient operations of the court on a day-to-day basis."

Justin Garcia covers public safety and local government in Las Cruces. He can be reached via email at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com, via phone or text at 575-541-5449, or on Twitter @Just516Garc.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Long-time judge becomes next leader of Doña Ana District Court