A New Mexico state judge faces punishment for sending 32 people from Taos Pueblo to jail for contempt of court.

The charges against the tribal members were dropped when the state Supreme Court determined they were unwarranted. The court will now determine whether to suspend 8th Judicial District Judge Sam Sanchez be suspended without pay for 30 days, reprimand him and order him to pay a third of the costs associated with the case.

The group -- including several elderly tribal members -- spent one night in jail before being released. Some were sent as far away as Santa Fe, over 70 miles from Taos Pueblo.

The incident was sparked by the sentencing hearing of Dominic Bau, a tribal member who pleaded guilty to raping a 13-year-old relative. The crime occurred off the reservation.

Supporters of Bau and family members of the victim clashed at the hearing.

Get the Story:
Commission recommends suspension, public reprimand for Taos judge (The Taos News 3/22)
Court to Get Mass Contempt Case Again (The Albuquerque Journal 3/22)

Related Stories:
Judge faces removal for sending Taos group to jail for contempt (12/3)
Judge who jailed Taos Pueblo group for contempt faces sanction (8/31)
Arrests of Taos Pueblo members expunged by court (1/7)
Contempt charges dropped against Pueblo group (11/24)