Judge Pat Murdoch resigns after being charged with raping prostitute

This is a decision that will likely hold up on appeal.

A judge in New Mexico resigned from the bench after being charged with raping a prostitute in his home.

Judge Pat Murdoch stepped down after 26 years handing out justice ending further disciplinary proceedings by the Judicial Standards Commission.

Murdoch has not yet entered a plea to the criminal charges but his lawyers insist he is a victim in the case and are seeking a dismissal of the charges.

The woman who has accused Murdoch of rape is an admitted prostitute and has said she met with him about eight times.

Murdoch's lawyers say police are investigating whether the woman may have tried to extort the judge with a video of a sexual encounter.

"Unfortunately, law enforcement has rushed to judgment before fully considering the facts and issues surrounding the case," Murdoch's lawyers said in a statement. "Sadly, they have damaged a good man's reputation beyond repair, making it impossible to remain on the bench."

Murdoch had been eaing $111,000 a year.