Dear Friends,

This past year, I have been privileged to serve as a Judge on the New Mexico Court of Appeals.  My appointment to the position by Governor Susana Martinez in July 2011 followed the recommendation of a bipartisan Judicial Nominating Commission.  In addition to my responsibilities on the bench, all judges must stand for election in one partisan race following appointment.  With your help, I am certified as both a candidate and a participant in New Mexico’s Public Election Fund.  I ask only for your vote in the general election on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

Experience is the single most important qualification for any appellate judge.  My seventeen-year career as a lawyer in New Mexico demonstrates a diversity of practice that includes service as a federal prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, civil practitioner and federal appellate law clerk.  In numerous jury trials and dozens of appeals, I represented the United States and individuals throughout and outside of New Mexico.  My efforts brought justice to victims of violent crime, particularly on the many Reservations and Pueblos throughout our state.  My experience in opinion-writing and appellate litigation is perfectly suited to my new responsibilities, and my balanced legal background is testament to my recognition that the constitutional freedoms which define our society, and which guarantee us the individual liberties that make us a free nation, apply equally to each person that comes before the Courts.

The Court of Appeals plays a crucial role in your community and within the New Mexico judiciary.  We determine whether criminal convictions throughout New Mexico are to be upheld, whether civil lawsuits were correctly decided in district courts, and consider the constitutionality and legality of rulings involving families, workers, property, legislation and state resources. My record on the court over the past year reflects my dedication to the rule of law and attention to the things that matter to you. I invite you to visit the Opinions link on this page to review my written work on behalf of the Court of Appeals.

I hope to continue to serve as a Judge on the New Mexico Court of Appeals. It is my honor to work for you, and it is a personal joy to be allowed to do so. I humbly ask that you vote to Keep Judge Hanisee next November!

Very Sincerely,

Miles Hanisee