AI Generated Opinion Summaries

This summary was computer-generated without any editorial revision. It is not official, has not been checked for accuracy, and is NOT citable.

Facts

• The case involves Hon. Steve Guthrie, a judge from Otero County Magistrate Court, and his neighbors, Leticia Coyazo and Ysidro “Chico” Coyazo. The conflict between the parties originated from disagreements over the Coyazos' grandchildren playing basketball on the public sidewalk and escalated to several incidents, including Guthrie parking his vehicle to block the basketball play, making a threatening remark regarding Chico Coyazo's disability benefits, violating city parking ordinances, and other actions perceived as harassment by the Coyazos. The situation led to multiple police reports and ultimately the Guthries deciding to move from their residence.

Procedural History

• [Not applicable or not found]

Parties' Submissions

• Respondent (Hon. Steve Guthrie): Admits to the acts of conflict with the Coyazos, including parking his vehicle to prevent basketball play, making a remark about going after Chico Coyazo's disability, parking violations, and other actions perceived as harassment. Guthrie does not contest the Commission's ability to prove willful misconduct and violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct.
• Judicial Standards Commission: Argues that Guthrie engaged in willful misconduct and violated specific rules of the Code of Judicial Conduct by his actions towards the Coyazos and consents to the imposition of a public censure as discipline.

Legal Issues

• Whether Respondent engaged in willful misconduct by his actions towards his neighbors, the Coyazos.
• Whether Respondent violated the Code of Judicial Conduct Rules 21-101 and 21-102 NMRA by his actions.

Disposition

• The petition to accept a stipulation agreement and consent to discipline between the Judicial Standards Commission and Respondent, Hon. Steve Guthrie, is granted.
• A public censure is issued to Respondent, Hon. Steve Guthrie.
• The matter is unsealed under Rule 27-104(B) NMRA.

Reasons

• The Supreme Court of New Mexico, with Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura, Justice Barbara J. Vigil, Justice Michael E. Vigil, Justice C. Shannon Bacon, and Justice David K. Thomson concurring, determined that accepting the stipulation agreement and consent to discipline was in the best interests of the judiciary and the public. The Court found that Guthrie's admitted actions towards his neighbors constituted willful misconduct and violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. The decision to issue a public censure was based on Guthrie's admission of the facts and the agreement on the appropriate discipline for his conduct.