Twelfth Judicial District - Costilla County Court Judge
Honorable Pattie P. Swift
Retention Year: 1992
Recommendation: Retain
Judge Pattie P. Swift is the County Court Judge for Costilla County, having been appointed to that position in January 1989. A graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1989, she was admitted to the New Mexico Bar in October 1989 and the Colorado Bar in June 1990. Judge Swift is also an associate with a private law firm in Alamosa.
As Costilla County Court Judge, she is responsible for presiding over traffic cases, misdemeanors, petty offenses, felony preliminary hearings, small claims and civil matters not exceeding $10,000.
Judge Swift is very well respected by residents of Costilla County and also by her peers. The attorneys and law enforcement people surveyed rated Judge Swift very highly. Some concern was expressed on the time she takes to make decisions and rulings. She agreed that sometimes cases were taken under advisement as she is relatively new to the court system and more time was needed for her to issue a ruling or decision.
In an effort to stay current with the law, Judge Swift reads state and national law magazines, attends seminars and conferences, and consults with other judges if additional information is needed concerning the law. Judge Swift expressed her effort to be consistent in all sentencing and her willingness to be creative, when necessary, in issuing sentences.
The 12th Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Patty P. Swift be Retained.