Investigator runs for magistrate judge

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) - Farmington's chief criminal investigator has announced that he's running to be magistrate judge.

Mark Hawkinson began working in law enforcement in 1976 in California and moved to Farmington several years later. He worked
for Farmington police for 20 years.

That's when Hawkinson became a medical investigator for the District Attorney's Office.

Hawkinson says he will look at other options to save taxpayer money when it comes to sentencing and that his top obligation is to
the rule of the law.

The filing date to run for magistrate judge is March 16, and the general election is in November.