| ► Attorney Thomas Fitch of Socorro, NM;lush; moron, ethical gnome |
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Attorney Thomas Fitch of Socorro,NM; lush, moron, ethical gnome
Prior to 2005, Thomas Fitch was a sitting judge in Socorro, New Mexico, which is located about 75 miles south of
 Albuquerque.
In 2005, Thomas Fitch was removed from the bench by the New Mexico Supreme Court for engaging in the following misconduct.
Judge Thomas Fitch was caught drunk-driving after he drove off a dead-end road in southwest Santa Fe at about 1 p.m. on Feb. 11, 2005. At the time of the accident, Tom was caught with a half/gallon of vodka while driving a state-owned minivan.
Judge Fitch was in Santa Fe attending a budget hearing and was alone in a state-owned Ford Wind-star minivan when it went through a barrier and rolled down an embankment.
Deputies found a “large” bottle of vodka in the van, which had been opened and partially consumed. Investigators gave Judge Fitch two breath-alcohol tests, which gave readings of .17 and .18. The legal limit is .08, meaning he was plastered.
Judge Thomas Fitch’s Hyperbolic (BS) Defense
Judge Fitch told the Judicial Commission that on Feb. 11, he felt he had finally kicked his alcohol problem and decided to throw out his last bottle of vodka. He said that, in order not to be seen, he decided he would dispose of it at a rest area on the way to Santa Fe (90 miles to nearest rest area on I-25), where
 he was scheduled to testify at a legislative budget hearing.
So that’s the way it works when you’re on the wagon. You always keep a stash of vodka on hand just in case a couple of judges or Judicial Commission members happen to stop by. Is that the way it works, Tommy Baby?
Judge Fitch went on to tell the commission that one drink led to another, and another, and by the time he drove off the road in Santa Fe a little after noon, he was drunk. Drunk by noon!
Since it takes about 3.0 hours to drive to Santa Fe, he likely began drinking at home before 9:00 a.m. and had to be drinking during his trip to Santa Fe.
Does this conduct sound like someone who is trying to kick his booze habit or like someone who is an accomplished hooch-hound?
Judge Fitch’s DWI Criminal Punishment
Tommy pleaded guilty to aggravated DWI, careless driving and driving with an open bottle and was sentenced to 2 days in jail. In a useless effort at levity, Judge Fitch’s lawyer said, “He hasn’t had a drop to drink since Feb.11.
Judicial Commission Findings
The Judicial Standards Commission recommended that Tom be removed from the bench. However, before that could happen, he resigned; allowing the celebrated lush to collect a pension at the expense of New Mexico’s overburdened and overtaxed citizens. Thanks Tommy!
To be fair somebody (and that'd be the taxpayers of New Mexico) had to continue to pay to “Fetch a fifth for Fitch,” right?
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