McKinley County Court Swears In Diné Judges Brent Detsoi, Virginia Yazzie

Brent Detsoi and Virginia Yazzie took the oath as McKinley County magistrate judges Monday afternoon at McKinley County Court in Gallup, in a public ceremony officiated by Hon. R. David Pederson. The Navajo Times reported the event was held Monday and included a photograph of the two judges after the swearing-in.

The Navajo Times noted both Detsoi and Yazzie had "officially took their oaths of office earlier in the month at a private ceremony allowing both to begin their respective terms." The paper’s Jan. 30, 2023 posting identified Pederson as the presiding official at the public ceremony and stated Magistrate Judge Cynthia Sanders was also sworn in during the same event.

Family and local ties were emphasized during the ceremony. Detsoi attended with his grandfather, Wayne Arviso, described as a World War II veteran, and his grandmother, Loretta Morris, described as a longtime district judge for the Navajo Nation. Detsoi said, "This has been an emotional journey," and added, "To be passed that torch and carry on a legacy in my family is such an honor. They paved the way and helped me hit the ground running. I also look forward to working with Judge Yazzie on the DWI Treatment Court and really help the people," according to the Navajo Times.

Virginia Yazzie brings judicial experience and community-focused program priorities to her second term. The Navajo Times reported Yazzie was initially elected to the magistrate court in 2018 and listed her clans as ’Áshįįhí and born for Tó’aheedlíinii, with maternal grandfather Tó Baazhní’ázhí and paternal grandfather Tódích’íi’nii. The paper described Yazzie as "very passionate about developing a DWI treatment program for offenders" and quoted her on program design: "Through much research and trial by reality, DWI treatment programs need to be customized to each individual as each individual’s circumstances are similar yet not the same." The report added that "Thorough screenings are performed to detail an individual’s needs and support and monitored throughout treatment completion."

The swearing-in in Gallup occurs against a broader regional backdrop of rising Native representation on New Mexico benches. Source reports on later appointments noted Brenna Clani-Washinawatok was appointed to the 11th Judicial District Court, and the Tri-City Record stated there are six Native Americans serving as judges on district, metropolitan and magistrate courts in New Mexico, "including four magistrate judges in McKinley and San Juan counties." District courts handle major criminal and civil trials while magistrate courts, like the one Yazzie and Detsoi now serve, have limited jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic violations and civil actions up to $10,000 and conduct preliminary felony hearings.

Detsoi and Yazzie signaled a shared operational focus on DWI treatment work as they assume their benches. With private oaths already allowing them to begin duties and a public ceremony formalizing their roles, the next measure for McKinley County will be how the new magistrate judges translate the individualized DWI screening and treatment approach Yazzie described into court practice and into the county’s existing DWI Treatment Court processes.