Violet C. Otero
District Court Judge
13th Judicial District
Cibola, Sandoval, and Valencia Counties
Year: 2008
Evaluation: Judge Otero gets mixed reviews from persons utilizing her courtroom. She received positive marks among the resource staff (e.g. law enforcement officers, CASA volunteers, etc.) on all attributes, but somewhat lower scores from attorneys and court staff. Attorneys gave her positive scores for being courteous to all participants, being attentive to the proceedings, maintaining proper control over the courtroom, and for having a dignified demeanor. The court staff rated her positively for being punctual in commencing proceedings and discharging responsibilities diligently. However, attorneys rated Judge Otero relatively lower for her knowledge and application of the law, and the court staff rated her somewhat lower in the area of respecting all court employees.
Experience & Education: Judge Otero was appointed District Judge in July 2003 and elected in 2004. Prior to that appointment, she worked in private practice and as a public defender. She presides over and hears domestic relations cases and child neglect and abuse cases. Judge Otero received her undergraduate degree and law degrees from the University of New Mexico. She serves as a board member for Ranchitos de los Ninos and Youth Development, Inc.