Governor Appoints Prosecutor As Magistrate Judge

Gov. Susana Martinez has appointed a prosecutor from Bluewater to become a magistrate judge in Cibola County.

Martinez announced Wednesday that Kristina Faught-Hollar will fill a vacancy caused by the retirement of Magistrate Court Judge Manuel N. Lujan.

Faught-Hollar has worked as lawyer in the 13th Judicial District Attorney's office since 1997. She received her law degree from the University of New Mexico.

In announcing the appointment, the governor praised Faught-Hollar's experience in criminal law as a prosecutor. Martinez was a district attorney in Las Cruces before her election as governor.

Magistrate courts handle cases involving misdemeanors, such as traffic tickets and some drunken driving offenses, as well as smaller civil claims. District courts have authority over felony cases.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.