Tucumcari commission interviews Leora Morales for alternate municipal judge role

At a Tucumcari City Commission work session Thursday, March 27, the commission interviewed Leora Morales for the city’s alternate municipal judge position. Morales described previous court-related coursework, more than three decades of professional experience and plans to complete municipal-judge training if appointed.

The interview covered Morales’s background, how she would maintain impartiality and her understanding of judicial ethics. “My name is Leora Morales. I grew up here… I try to stay, volunteer, and get back to the community I live in,” Morales told the commission. She said she previously began studies in court reporting at Emerald College and completed coursework that included observing different court settings.

Morales told commissioners she would address conflicts of interest by recusing herself when necessary and relying on legal standards: “You just have to read the law, interpret it, and [apply it] accordingly to everybody across the board,” she said. She also described ethics as requiring honesty, transparency and nondiscrimination.

During follow-up, Morales disclosed a family relationship with the city manager, saying she is first cousins with the city manager, Renee, and framed that as part of a transparency statement to the commission. Morales said she had no prior experience presiding as a judge but planned to pursue training offered through the Administrative Office of the Courts and the municipal league, online coursework and seminars.

Commissioners asked practical questions about training and compensation. Morales said the position is largely volunteer or low-paid and that she understood the role as stepping in when the regular judge is unavailable.

No formal action was taken at the work session; the item was presented as a candidate interview and may be brought to a future meeting for appointment consideration.