Judge wants to move TA courthouse staff

Associated Press

Updated: May 26, 2012 5:00 PM

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Chief District Judge Barbara Vigil is planning to move the state court's office and clerk employees from Tierra Amarilla to Santa Fe by July 1.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that news of the move was made public after a letter by Vigil to court employees trickled out slowly to Rio Arriba County officials this week. The news has sparked fears that the move would effectively close the courthouse currently seating state District Judge Sheri Raphaelson.

Vigil's letter does not say why the move is necessary, but Jake Arnold, spokesman for the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office, thinks it is because of security concerns stemming from the structure of the courthouse itself.

The Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office provides security for the Tierra Amarilla courthouse.

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