Martinez Appoints Two D.A.'s to Bench

Susan Reidel

SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez announced today that she has made appointments to fill two vacancies on New Mexico’s Third Judicial District Court. Governor Martinez named Susan M. Riedel and Jacinto Palomino, both of Las Cruces, to fill the vacancies created by the retirements of Judge Jerald A. Valentine and Judge Stephen Bridgforth. Riedel and Palomino were both recommended for their positions by the Third Judicial District Court Nominating Commission. “Ms. Riedel and Mr. Palomino have dedicated their careers to protecting New Mexico’s children and families and upholding the law to the fullest extent,” said Governor Martinez. “Both have served capably as prosecutors and have proven themselves as tenacious and fair representatives of New Mexico’s legal system. I am confident that Ms. Riedel and Mr. Palomino will be fair and honest judges who will impartially apply the law." Susan M. Riedel currently serves as Chief Deputy District Attorney for New Mexico’s Third Judicial District, overseeing attorney training with a focus on the Children’s Court Attorney and the Probation Violation Division. Riedel previously served as the Child Support Enforcement Hearing Officer and Special Master for Family Violence Protection Hearings and Children’s Court Detention Hearings for the Twelfth Judicial District in Alamogordo. Prior to that, she served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Third Judicial District and a Deputy District Attorney for the Second Judicial District in Albuquerque. Riedel earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

Jacinto Palomino currently serves as Deputy District Attorney for New Mexico’s Third Judicial District, overseeing the Violent Felony Offense Unit. He also serves as Senior Defense Counsel for the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army Reserve. Prior to joining the District Attorney’s office, Palomino practiced family law and criminal defense as a private practice attorney in San Jose, CA. Prior to his legal career, Palomino served in the United States Marine Corps as a Heavy Vehicle Operator. He earned his law degree from the University of California at San Francisco Hastings College of Law in San Francisco, CA.

Martinez Appoints Two D.A.'s to Bench