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Candidate: Division 12 2nd judicial judgeship

Name: Sanford H. Siegel, Republican

Age: 59

Campaign Web site: None

Occupation: Attorney

Family: Married 36 years to Rita Siegel; Rita is a labor and employment attorney, working primarily as an arbitrator and mediator. Two children: Lesley is a middle school special education teacher; Douglas will be teaching English as a second language to French students.

Education: Andrew Jackson public high school, Queens, N.Y.; Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. (B.A.); New School for Social Research, New York, N.Y. (M.A.); Fordham University School of Law, New York, N.Y. (J.D.)

Experience: I have practiced law for 29 years and have considerable courtroom experience. I was a criminal prosecutor in the New York County District Attorney's office for five years. My work included grand jury presentation, jury trials and appeals.

Please list the experience you think makes you or would make you a good judge:

Since moving to New Mexico in 1982, my law practice has focused in the area of family law, which incorporates a traditional general practice: contracts, property, torts, partnerships, tax, administrative law as well as divorce, custody, support, guardianship and domestic violence.

Have you ever been arrested or charged with a felony or misdemeanor? If yes, explain. No.

What's the best meal you can cook from scratch? The meal which I prepare, and which my family is willing eat, is scrambled eggs, cheese and salsa.

Last book you read: "Guns, Germs and Steel," by Jared Diamond

What was your biggest mistake and what life lesson did you learn?

When I was a teenager, there were times when I didn't follow through on my convictions. Once, a group of waiters at a summer camp created a phony issue that would allow them to walk out on strike. I did the right thing at the start. Ignoring threats, I publicly opposed the plan pushed by the mob. They shouted me down and went out on strike. I didn't separate from them but tamely went along. On another occasion, I recognized that I should leave college and move in with a bereaved family member. But, I didn't do it. Since then, I have done a better job of acting on my convictions, realizing that convictions must become deeds.

What distinguishes you from your opponent?

Experience. I have practiced law for 29 years, half of my life. My experience includes criminal prosecution in New York City, and my general family law general practice throughout New Mexico. I have worked for a large public agency (the district attorney), a large law firm and, for the last 11 years, as a sole practitioner.

My opponent has practiced law for about half that time, mostly in the narrow area of plaintiff's personal injury claims. I cannot judge his performance. I only know what I can do and what I can bring to the court: hard work, respect for the people who come to my court, a commitment to get urgent cases promptly heard, a willingness to issue decisions without delay and a strong sense of fairness.

What is the biggest problem facing the judicial system and what would you do to help solve it?

I believe the biggest problem in civil and family is delay. "Justice delayed is justice denied:" William Gladstone. My goal is to combat delay and to improve the experience of the people who come into court. Each case has a docket number, but the person behind the case is not a number. He or she is entitled to respect and to have their case heard and decided in a fair and timely manner. The same decision can be vital in March but worthless in November.

I will use a three-pronged approach to address this problem:

1. Identify urgent cases and schedule them promptly;

2. Give the parties a respectful hearing; allow the parties to present their witnesses in a full and fair manner.

3. Decide issues without delay; and whenever possible, provide a written ruling from the bench that day.