ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – District courtroom 302 in Albuquerque was dedicated to former New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Daniels on Friday.
The ceremony celebrated Daniels’ life and legacy, with speakers who included Supreme Court Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon, Second Judicial District Court Chief Judge Marie C. Ward, Randi McGinn, Janette Daniels Gurley (Justice Charles W. Daniels’ daughter), Joseph Goldberg, and District Judge William Parnall.
“The naming of a courtroom in honor of my dear colleague, Justice Charlie Daniels, is really appropriate,” said New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon. “Justice Daniels’ first love in the law was the courtroom and ensuring that there was equity under the law. My hope is that all who come before the court in the Justice Charles W. Daniels courtroom remember that equity under the law is paramount.”
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Chief Judge Ward of the Second Judicial District Court applauded Charles Daniels for his contributions to the legal community and emphasized his crucial role in ensuring equal access to justice for all New Mexicans. “Justice Daniels was truly a remarkable human being,” said Ward. “He was someone who reflected the very best of our judicial system.”
Daniels passed away in 2019 at the age of 76. He was a former criminal defense and civil rights attorney who was appointed a justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court by the late Gov. Bill Richardson in October 2007.
Daniels also served as chief justice from 2010 until 2012 and from 2016 until 2017.
