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LAS CRUCES - New Mexico Court of Appeals Judge Robert Robles is asking for forgiveness, a day after his arrest for allegedly tearing through an Albuquerque red light, driving at more than twice the legal limit for intoxication.
"I sincerely apologize to my family, to the citizens of New Mexico, to the members of the New Mexico Court of Appeals and to the entire New Mexico Judiciary for my recent personal actions," Robles wrote in the statement, released Thursday afternoon. "I made an egregious error in judgment that resulted in painful consequences to those who place their trust in me."
Robles, 60, writes that he is seeking treatment for the "personal issues" that resulted in his "inappropriate behavior," voluntarily placed himself on unpaid administrative leave from the bench and has reported the incident to the Judicial Standards Commission for review.
"I hope to mend, as best as I can, the pain that I have caused my family, friends and colleagues, in accepting the consequences of my actions ... I ask the citizens of New Mexico to consider this apology as only the first indication of my profound remorse, complete acceptance of my actions, and commitment to do my best to restore your confidence in me as your public servant."
An Albuquerque Police Department officer stopped Robles after the judge's gold Nissan allegedly ran a red light on Jefferson Street NE, near Interstate 25, at about 50 miles per hour, so fast the officer had to pull onto the sidewalk to avoid
When asked about running the red light, Robles allegedly said, "I knew I didn't do it exactly right, but I don't remember."
Robles was described as having bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech and smelling strongly of alcohol, but said he had consumed "not that much" alcohol. After allegedly failing several field sobriety tests and reportedly blowing a .20 - about two and a half times the legal presumption of intoxication, a .08 - he was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center for about 10 hours before being released on his own recognizance, according to APD.
Robles was a District Court judge in Las Cruces for 17 1/2 years, including nine years as the chief judge of that court, before former Gov. Bill Richardson appointed him to the Court of Appeals in 2008. He won election to that position in 2010.
Robles is the third New Mexico judge in recent years to be arrested on aggravated drunken driving charges, and the head of an anti-drunken driving group in New Mexico has already called for his resignation. DWI Resource Center Executive Director Linda Atkinson says judges need to be held to a higher standard because their job requires the public's trust.
In 2004, police stopped Albuquerque District Judge John Brennan after he tried to duck a DWI checkpoint in Albuquerque. Officers found a substance that later tested positive as cocaine. Brennan pleaded guilty to aggravated driving while intoxicated and cocaine possession and was sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation. He resigned not long after.
The following year, Socorro District Judge Thomas Fitch overturned a state-owned van en route to a legislative committee meeting. Police said they found a nearly empty bottle of vodka nearby. He pleaded guilty to aggravated drunken driving and was sentenced to the maximum 90 days, with 88 days suspended, with two days to be served after treatment. He also resigned.
In 2010, Robles told NMPolitics.net that judges only make the front page of newspapers because they are presiding over a high-profile case or "they did something really, really bad."
'Having lived in that glass house for 20 years, I'm happy to say that I've only been on the front page because I was involved in a case of significance,' Robles told the news website.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ashley Meeks can be reached at (575) 541-5462.
The apology
The following apology was issued Thursday by New Mexico Appeals Court Judge Robert Robles:
"I sincerely apologize to my family, to the citizens of New Mexico, to the members of the New Mexico Court of Appeals and to the entire New Mexico Judiciary for my recent personal actions. I made an egregious error in judgment that resulted in painful consequences to those who place their trust in me.
With the support of my family, I am seeking professional help to assist me in addressing personal issues which resulted in my inappropriate behavior. I hope to mend, as best as I can, the pain that I have caused my family, friends and colleagues, in accepting the consequences of my actions.
I voluntarily placed myself on administrative leave without pay from my position on the New Mexico Court of Appeals and reported the incident to the New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission, which will review my actions.
I ask the citizens of New Mexico to consider this apology as only the first indication of my profound remorse, complete acceptance of my actions, and commitment to do my best to restore your confidence in me as your public servant."
