Former Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Pat A. Casados, center, accepts a resolution of recognition from Los Alamos County Councilor Theresa Cull as the judge’s husband Jeff looks on. Judge Casados retired December 31 following 20 years of service. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

Editor’s note: Check the Los Alamos Reporter Wednesday for a recent interview with Judge Casados.

Former Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Pat. A. Casados was presented with a resolution during Tuesday’s Los Alamos County Council meeting in recognition of her 20 consecutive years in office. The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, the Honorable Pat A. Casados was elected by the citizens of Los Alamos to preside over the Los Alamos County Magistrate Court beginning in 2003; and

WHEREAS, the citizens reelected the Honorable Casados to serve five, four-year terms, where she faithfully upheld the Constitution and Laws of the State of New Mexico before deciding not to seek a sixth term; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Casados performed her duties during the best of times, conducting over 400 weddings, swearing in new police officers and relocating the Magistrate Court Room to the County’s new Judicial Center Building; and

WHEREAS, she also performed her duties through the challenging Las Conchas and Cerro Pelado wildfires, floods and COVID pandemic; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Casados was also elected and served as secretary and president of the New Mexico Magistrate Judges Association, a non-profit established in 1970 to advocate for legislation and court funding; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Casados served as a member of the New Mexico Judges Council, working with the Supreme Court and Chief Judges of the state to better the judiciary for all citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Casados worked closely with legislators to ensure the judiciary of the state was funded and was able to provide services for all communities; and

WHEREAS, she passed along her knowledge and expertise as a mentor judge for many new judges to the bench.

NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby recognize 

THE HONORABLE PAT A. CASADOS

We commend her dedication to Los Alamos and New Mexico and thank her for always having an open mind and instilling public confidence through her fair and impartial decisions on the bench. We wish her the best in all her next endeavors.