Q&A: New judge, predecessor weigh in on job

Newly elected Roosevelt County officials will be sworn in at 8:30 a.m. today at the Roosevelt County Courthouse. One of the newcomers is Probate Judge Michelle Bargas.

Bargas, whose duties include transferring the properties of a person who has died, ran unopposed after her predecessor Barbara George served two consecutive terms.

Bargas and George answered questions about the job:

Michelle Bargas

Her previous career experience includes 10 years working with the state of New Mexico as a juvenile probation and parole officer. A Portales native, she graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a double major in psychology and criminal justice.

Why did you decide to run for this position?

One is the legal reverence that is involved in the title, and now that I have relocated back to my hometown, I would like to get more involved in the community.

What initially drew you to a legal field?

My mother was the executive secretary for (former judge) Jesse Porter in magistrate court. I was always around it and, finally, I ended up being a single mom and buckled down and decided on a degree that I really was passionate about.

What are you most looking forward to about your new position?

Well, one, starting a new career is always exciting. Two is to show the community how serious I can be in the field once I’m involved in something passionately. I want to show that I’m excited to be back, and I can prove that I’ll be an asset to Roosevelt County.

What do you think is the most important duty in your position?

From my understanding, in talking to Barbara George, the most important duty would be being there for having to deal with state issues, death of a loved one. You have to make a very impartial decision. That’s a very valuable part of being a judge, being impartial.

Barbara George

She taught at Portales High School for 25 years, where she directed Maypole and coached both mock trial and track and field.

She owns the businesses Portales Driving School and Tasty Taters.

George was elected as probate judge in 2008, and now is an alternate judge in Portales Municipal Court.

How do you think your position has made you a better person?

I’m a people person, and I love people, and I’ve lived in this community for a long, long time. I’ve just had a better connection with people, and I’ve had a better understanding that everybody’s household functions differently, and that people do need help. It’s their first experience with death many, many times. I feel this job has been a real blessing to me, because I have been able to help people. I’ve been able to listen to people when they’ve just needed somebody to talk to.

What have you found challenging as a probate judge and how have you worked to overcome it?

The challenge is there is so much to learn; so many laws. You go to training every year, and if you’re sick or something, you have to get excused by the chief of the supreme court (of New Mexico). They film every training, and then you have to watch all of those films that you missed. Training is extremely important. There’s a lot of information given there.

What has kept you motivated in your position?

I just love the job. I’m sorry I couldn’t run again (because she is term limited). I guess I just love people, and I feel I’m blessed to be able to have helped some of them.

Why do you believe the position of probate judge is important for a community?

Most people, when they have someone die in their family, they’ve not experienced that before, and they need a little help — a little guidance — with their business. The supreme court in New Mexico has made probate a gift to the people, because you can go to the county clerk’s office and buy a packet. You pay $5 to the county clerk for that, mostly for paper and their time running it off. Then you take it home and you read it over and you fill it out, then you bring it to me and ask whatever questions you need to ask, and you can ask me before you fill them out. We are not allowed by law to fill them out, but we can answer questions and help people that way.

— Compiled by Staff Writer Eamon Scarbrough