A longtime Santa Fe prosecutor will continue on the job, at least until charges of drunken driving and negligent use of a firearm filed against her last month are resolved.

District Attorney Angela "Spence" Pacheco said Monday that she and Barbara Romo will discuss the matter if Romo is convicted of the charges against her. Though Pacheco said Romo told her about the arrest, Pacheco declined to comment further, citing personnel reasons.

Romo, 49, was pulled over about 10:15 p.m. Jan. 9 near the intersection of 36th Place and Southern Boulevard in Rio Rancho after another motorist allegedly saw her weaving in and out of traffic lanes on Paseo del Norte, according to a police report. At one point, the motorist saw Romo's car idling at a traffic signal that was green, the report states.

After a Rio Rancho police officer pulled her over, Romo told him she was a lawyer and that she was heading home after having "a few beers after a court case," the report says. Romo lives in Rio Rancho, according to the report.

The officer noticed what turned out to be a loaded .38-caliber handgun on the front passenger seat "within easy reach of the driver," the report states. It is illegal to carry a weapon while intoxicated, said John Francis, Rio Rancho police spokesman.

Romo allegedly had bloodshot, watery eyes, moderately smelled of alcohol and slurred her words, according to the report. Her breath-alcohol content was measured at .12, above the legal driving limit of .08. The DWI charge is a misdemeanor, while the firearm count is a petty misdemeanor.

She was taken to Sandoval County jail and later released to her husband, the report says.

Romo pleaded not guilty to the two charges at an arraignment Jan. 23 in Rio Rancho Municipal Court. Her trial is scheduled for March 10.

Romo did not return a phone message seeking comment Monday.

She has been a prosecutor in Santa Fe since 2001, where she mainly handles sex crimes against children.

Contact Jason Auslander at 986-3076 or :jauslander@sfnewmexican.com.