Law is a system of rules and guidelines that are created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. It serves to maintain order, protect property, and ensure justice within a society. Laws can be established by legislation, common law, or decrees and are interpreted and applied by judicial systems. They encompass various fields, including criminal law, civil law, administrative law, and constitutional law, each addressing specific aspects of legal relations and societal conduct. The rule of law is a fundamental principle that ensures that the law applies equally to all individuals, safeguarding against arbitrary governance and protecting individual rights.
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer will retire at the end of May, concluding a 15-year tenure at the First Judicial District Court encompassing Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Rio Arriba Counties.…