By KRWG News
New Mexico – New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Charles Daniels is taking over as chief justice.
Daniels was sworn to the post on Wednesday.
He was a lawyer in Albuquerque before his appointment to the state's highest court in 2007 by Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson.
Daniels won election in 2008 to fill out the unexpired term to which he was appointed. He is up for retention election this year to start a new term.
The court's five justices select who will serve as chief justice for a two-year term. Daniels is the court's newest member, and the other justices have served as chief justice, who presides over the court.
Justice Edward Chavez served as chief justice before Daniels.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.