Tsiosdia v. Rainaldi

OPINION

SOSA, Justice.

We are confronted here with the question whether allowing non-attorney police court judges to preside over criminal cases arising from violations of municipal ordinances which are punishable by incarceration violates rights guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions to the defendants in these proceedings. We have decided that this practice does not violate the constitutional rights of such defendants.

Applicants-appellants Tsiosdia, Long and Tracey were charged with violating Gallup’s municipal code § 6-1-18 and § 6-1-57B (disorderly conduct, resisting arrest), §…