On March 2, 2023, the Santa Fe Reporter reported that Santa Fe County Magistrate Judge Dev Atma Khalsa pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges and considered resigning from the bench, according to Khalsa’s attorney.
According to court records, Khalsa was arrested after Santa Fe police responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 25 near the St. Francis Drive exit. A police officer said Khalsa smelled of alcohol but denied that he had been drinking and refused to have his blood drawn.
In a statement, Khalsa’s attorney, Kitchen Fischer wrote, “Mr. Khalsa does want to say that he is very sorry for his actions. Mr. Khalsa believes that nobody is above the law, especially a judge.”
Khalsa extended his apologies to the staff and judges at the Magistrate Court, as well as those who entrusted him with public office. Fischer added that “Mr. Khalsa will work hard to regain the trust of the community.”
Judge Khalsa’s courtroom is located at 225 Montezuma Ave. Santa Fe, NM 87505, and can be reached at 1-304-918-0838.
Source: Santa Fe Reporter
