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N.M. District Judge Pleads Guilty to DWI
AP ^ | Feb 16, 2005

Posted on 02/16/2005 8:05:52 AM PST by george wythe

SANTA FE, N.M. - A judge who wrecked a state-owned van last week pleaded guilty to drunken driving and said he would enter a treatment program. He is the second New Mexico judge to enter a DWI plea in less than a year.

State District Judge Thomas Fitch admitted to aggravated DWI and other charges in court Tuesday. He was sentenced to the maximum 90 days, with 88 days suspended, and will serve the two days in jail after his treatment.

Fitch, 62, was driving to a legislative committee meeting Friday when the van overturned. Police said they found a nearly empty bottle of vodka, and Fitch's blood-alcohol content was tested at more than twice the state's legal limit of 0.08 percent.

(Excerpt) Read more at fortwayne.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News
KEYWORDS: frunkduck; truthorconsequences
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1 posted on 02/16/2005 8:05:55 AM PST by george wythe
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2 posted on 02/16/2005 8:06:34 AM PST by george wythe
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3 posted on 02/16/2005 8:08:00 AM PST by george wythe
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To: george wythe

Sweazea to be chief judge after Fitch accused of DWI

Last Update: 02/14/2005 11:16:24 AM
By: Associated Press


SOCORRO, N.M. (AP) - A petition has been filed with the state Supreme Court to temporarily suspend a judge charged with drunken driving.

Chief District Judge Thomas Fitch is accused of crashing a government van Friday afternoon in Santa Fe.

He was charged with aggravated drunken driving, having an open container in the vehicle and careless driving following the crash.

State District Judge Kevin Sweazea says he and Judge Edmund Kase III have recommended to Fitch that he take an immediate leave of absence. They also want him to seek treatment for alcohol abuse.

Sweazea now is acting chief judge of the district.

Fitch was hospitalized with chest pains and other injuries after the crash.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


4 posted on 02/16/2005 8:09:48 AM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: george wythe

This is New Mexico,home of the drunk driver ....


5 posted on 02/16/2005 8:10:47 AM PST by woofie
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To: george wythe

Another libturd who can't hold his liquor.

Sickening.


6 posted on 02/16/2005 8:10:53 AM PST by HMFIC (Fourth Generation American INFIDEL and PROUD OF IT!)
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To: george wythe

He has a nose that beats Clinton's. And wrinkles like cat's whiskers to highlight it.

What's his party affiliation?


7 posted on 02/16/2005 8:11:12 AM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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Apparently, the seat belt saved him from serious injury:
Fitch -- until Monday the chief judge of the 7th Judicial District in central New Mexico -- drove a minivan registered to the district off the dead end of the frontage road next to N.M. 599 about 1 p.m. Friday. When sheriff's deputies arrived, the judge, who was wearing a seat belt, appeared unstable on his feet, had bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech.

8 posted on 02/16/2005 8:12:54 AM PST by george wythe
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To: Cicero

A pi$$y drunk liberal.


9 posted on 02/16/2005 8:15:55 AM PST by HMFIC (Fourth Generation American INFIDEL and PROUD OF IT!)
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To: george wythe
State Sen. Kent Cravens, R-Albuquerque, called for Fitch to "do the right thing" and immediately resign from the bench.

I gather that if a Republican wants him to resign, he must be a Democrat. This is the only statement of anybody's party affiliation I've found so far.

10 posted on 02/16/2005 8:17:00 AM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: Tijeras_Slim; CedarDave; Constitution Day

You know the drill.


11 posted on 02/16/2005 8:21:47 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Cicero

Unfortunately, he is pub.
http://www.sos.state.nm.us/election/96general/RSULT130.HTM


12 posted on 02/16/2005 8:24:16 AM PST by deepFR
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To: Cicero

Unfortunately, he is pub.
http://www.sos.state.nm.us/election/96general/RSULT130.HTM


13 posted on 02/16/2005 8:24:17 AM PST by deepFR
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To: george wythe

Well at least there is some consequence in NM.

Here in Colorado Judge Vincent White was caught driving drunk, refused the breath or blood test and was allowed to plead to a speeding ticket (65 in a 35).

Any other citizen in Colorado would automatically have their license suspended for a year, become an assigned risk on auto insurance and be forced to attend alcohol classes just for refusing the test.

But not the Uber Alles Judge.


14 posted on 02/16/2005 8:29:31 AM PST by Pylot
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To: deepFR

Thanks for the election link


15 posted on 02/16/2005 8:32:44 AM PST by george wythe
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To: Pylot

Same here in Ohio. Ohio SUPREME COURT Justice Alice Robie Resnick was pulled over for drunk driving after several motorists called it in. She took off and also refused a test. She pleaded guilty but got a light sentence. She also kept her seat on the Supreme Court. I think she should be removed, impeached or whatever they do to judges. BTW -- she is a democRat.


16 posted on 02/16/2005 8:33:18 AM PST by Polyxene (For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel - Martin Luther)
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To: Pylot

Obviously, you are unaware that there exists TWO sets of law in America.

One, for the experts at manipulaitng the system, i.e., lawyers. Or those RICH enough to HIRE experts to manipulate the system, i.e., lawyers.

Two, for the schmucks like 99.9% of America who are too POOR to HIRE experts at manipulating the system, i.e., LAWYERS!


17 posted on 02/16/2005 8:34:41 AM PST by HMFIC (Fourth Generation American INFIDEL and PROUD OF IT!)
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To: robertpaulsen

A judge wrecks a state-owned vehicle, and gets two days in jail. This is not aligned with the sentences some civilians get for the same offense, or even the lesser offense of DWI without wrecking anything or injuring anyone.


18 posted on 02/16/2005 10:09:22 AM PST by coloradan (Hence, etc.)
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To: deepFR

I am surprised as usually if it is a R, it is REPUBLICAN judge charged with DWI.


19 posted on 02/16/2005 10:40:09 AM PST by Abram
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To: coloradan
"This is not aligned with the sentences some civilians get for the same offense,"

Happens all the time.

Need I list politicians, movie stars, athletes, the rich, the connected, etc. that get treated differently in a court of law?

20 posted on 02/16/2005 11:15:40 AM PST by robertpaulsen
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