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Name: Judge Sarah Backus
Biography: District Judge Sarah Backus (Division II) was first appointed to the bench in June 2011 by Governor Susana Martinez. She was elected to the post in the primary and general elections of 2012. Judge Backus served as Chief Judge in the 8th Judicial District from August 2011 until she stepped down in January 2014. She is also the designated Water Judge for the 8th Judicial District.
Judge Backus graduated from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and is a licensed attorney in both California and New Mexico. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Backus held a variety of posts. She was Deputy Public Defender and Deputy Attorney General in San Francisco, California. She also worked in the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Taos and as an Assistant Attorney and Planning Director with the Town of Taos. She also served as Director and General Counsel of El Valle de los Ranchos Water & Sanitation District in Ranchos de Taos. Judge Backus has lived in Taos since 1994.
