Adams appointed to lead DA's office

New Mexico’s governor last week announced the appointment of Heidi Adams as district attorney for the 10th Judicial District.

Adams’ appointment was effective April 15, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

The 10th Judicial District serves Quay, Harding and De Baca counties.

Adams, who lives in rural Tucumcari, had served as chief deputy district attorney at the 10th Judicial District since 2015, prosecuting misdemeanor and felony cases.

Adams’ appointment to be the region’s district attorney had been expected. Her predecessor, Timothy Rose, said in an interview last month he expected the governor to choose her after he was appointed judge of the 10th Judicial District. Rose replaced District Judge Albert “Scooter” Mitchell Jr. after he retired following 15 years on the bench.

“I was just happy we got something in place so we could continue our jobs,” Adams said of her appointment during a phone interview Friday.

Adams was asked about having her former boss on the bench.

“There are procedures in place, both in the judicial code of ethics as well as in our code of ethics, on how things will play out,” she said. “I don't feel that anything that comes after comes to our office after his appointment would be an issue for him to hear those types of cases.”

Adams in March filed for candidacy in the June primary election as a Republican for district attorney, with no Democratic opposition.

Rose was elected D.A. as an independent candidate during his previous term and wouldn’t have been required to file for re-election until June.

“We had already been discussing the possibility of me taking over and becoming the district attorney. So I went ahead and jumped out there and started the process,” she said.

With no opposition in the November election, Adams would serve as district attorney through 2028.

Adams said she learned patience while being in the local district attorney’s office for almost a decade.

“You also have to make sure you look at the whole picture and talk to the defendant's family … something that's very important to consider what the interest of justice is for the community in the long run,” she said.

Asked about her goals for the office, she replied: “Basically to continue what Mr. Rose had started. Making sure we aggressively prosecute repeat offenders and just look out for the citizens of Quay, De Baca and Harding counties.”

Adams previously spent four years as an assistant district attorney in Potter County, Texas, in Amarillo.

Adams is a graduate of Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech School of Law. She was admitted to the New Mexico Bar in 2014.