How Does The New Mexico District Court Work?

New Mexico’s District Courts are the general jurisdiction courts present in all 13 districts across the state. These are trial courts with broad jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases beyond the jurisdiction of other low-level courts in the New Mexico Court System. Additionally, the district courts also review criminal appeals of decisions by the Magistrate and Municipal courts.

The court has jurisdiction over criminal cases, including felonies and misdemeanors. It also addresses civil matters with disputes of more than $10,000, domestic relations and violence cases, mental health cases, appeals from administrative agencies, disputes over real estate, contract disputes, tort actions, etc. Each district court in the state has a Children’s Court Division that addresses juvenile delinquency, child abuse or neglect, child adoption, and the emancipation of minors. Generally, the New Mexico district courts have exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations and juvenile cases.

The District Court Judges are the conservators of peace that preside over criminal and civil cases in the court. These judges ensure that all cases are handled in accordance with the state rules of criminal and civil procedure. To be District Judge in New Mexico, the individual:

• Must be a state resident for at least three years before assuming the office
• Must have been engaged in the actual practice of law for at least six years before assuming the position
• Must reside in the district of appointment or election

The District Court judges are elected in partisan elections to serve six-year terms. To serve subsequent terms, the judge must compete in retention elections and receive affirmative majority votes to remain in office.

Individuals tried for misconduct considered illegal according to state laws are usually charged by the District Attorney. The District Attorney is the Chief Prosecutor of a county or district elected or appointed to represent the state in criminal proceedings. Pursuant to Article 6(VI) and Section 24 of the state constitution, all judicial districts must have one district attorney. The individual must be learned in the law of the state and have been a resident of the state for at least three years to become a District Attorney. Elected district attorneys serve 4-year terms and are also sun\beject to retention elections to serve consequently.

Court records of cases heard in district courts are typically maintained by The New Mexico Courts Judicial Branch. Pursuant to the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), any individual can request and inspect public court records online or in-person using interactive, downloadable forms provided on the website. Inquirers can review court records in-person at the applicable court clerk’s office.

District Court locations in New Mexico

First Judicial District Court - Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe counties.

Los Alamos County

2500 Trinity Drive, Suite D

Los Alamos, NM 87544

Phone: (505) 662–9561

Rio Arriba County Courthouse

7 Mainstreet

Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575

Phone: (505) 455–8335

Santa Fe County

225 Montezuma Ave.

Santa Fe, NM 87505

Phone: (505) 455–8250

Second Judicial District Court- Children’s Court Division; and Dona Ana and Downtown counties

Children’s Court Location

5100 2nd Street NW

Albuquerque, NM 87104

Phone: (505) 841–8400

Downtown Courthouse Location

400 Lomas Blvd NW

Albuquerque, NM 87102

Phone: (505) 841–8400

Third Judicial District Court - Dona Ana County

Dona Ana County

201 W Picacho Ave

Las Cruces, NM 88005

Phone: (575) 523–8200

Fourth Judicial District Court - Guadalupe and San Miguel counties

Guadalupe County

420 Parker Avenue, Suite 5

Santa Rosa NM 88435

Phone: (575) 472–3888

San Miguel County

496 West National

Las Vegas, NM 87701

Phone: (505) 425- 7281

Fifth Judicial District Court - Chaves, Eddy, and Lea counties

Chaves County

400 North Virginia

Roswell, NM 88201

Phone: (575) 622–2212

Fax: (575) 624–9510

Eddy County

102 North Canal

Carlsbad, NM 88220

Phone: (575) 885–4740

Fax: (575) 887–7095

Lea County

100 North Main

Lovington, NM 88260

Phone: (575) 396–8571

Fax: (575) 396–2428

Sixth Judicial District Court - Grant, Hiladago, and Luna counties

Grant County

201 North Cooper Street, 1st Floor

Silver City, NM 88061

Phone: (575) 538–3250, Ext. 2

Fax: (575) 388–5439

Hidalgo County Courthouse

300 Shakespeare Street

Lordsburg, NM 88045

Phone: (575) 542–3411, Ext. 0

Fax: (575) 542–348

Luna County

855 South Platinum

Deming, NM 88030

Phone: (575) 546–9611, Ext. 0

Fax: (575) 543–1605

Seventh Judicial District Court - Catron, Sierra, Socorro, and Torrence counties

Catron County

101 Main Street

Reserve, NM 87830

Phone: (575) 835–0050

Fax: (575) 838–5217

Sierra County Courthouse

311 N. Date Street

Truth or Consequences, NM 87901

Phone: (575) 894–7167

Fax: (575) 894–7168

Socorro County

200 Church Street

Socorro, NM 87801

Phone: (575) 835–0050, Ext. 12

Fax: (575) 838–5217

Torrance County

903 North 5th Street

Estancia, NM 87016

Phone: (505) 384–2974, Ext. 40

Fax: (505) 384–2229

Eighth Judicial District Court - Colfax, Taos, and Union counties

Colfax County

1413 South Second

Raton, NM 87740

Phone: (575) 445–5585

Fax: (575) 445–2626

Taos County

105 Albright Street

Taos, NM 87571

Phone: (575) 758–3173

Fax: (575) 751–1281

Union County

100 Court Street, Suite 5

Clayton, New Mexico 88415

Phone: (575) 374–9577

Fax: (575) 374–2089

Ninth Judicial District Court - Curry and Roosevelt counties

Curry County

700 North Main, Suite 11

Clovis, New Mexico 88101

Phone: (575) 742–7500

Fax: (575) 763–5160

Roosevelt County

109 West 1st Street

Portales, New Mexico 88130

Phone: (575) 359–6920

Fax: (575) 359–2140

Tenth Judicial District Court - Debaca, Harding, and Quay counties

DeBaca County

514 Avenue C

Ft Sumner, NM 88119

Phone: (575) 355- 2896

Fax: (575) 355- 2899

Harding County

4th and Pine Street

Mosquero, NM 87733

Phone: (575) 673- 2252

Fax: (575) 673–0333

Quay County

300 South 3rd Street, 2nd Floor

Tucumcari, NM 88401

Phone: (575) 461–2764

Fax: (575) 461–4498

Eleventh Judicial District Court - Mckinley and San Juan counties.

McKinley County - Gallup

207 West Hill Avenue

2nd Floor - Room 200

Gallup, NM 87301

Phone: (505) 863–6816

Fax: (505) 722–3401

San Juan County - Aztec

103 South Oliver

Aztec, NM 87410

Phone: (505) 334–6151

Fax: (505) 334–1940

San Juan County - Farmington

851 Andrea Drive

Farmington, NM 87401

Phone: (505) 326–2256

Fax: (505) 326–1179

Twelfth Judicial District Court - Lincoln and Otero counties

Lincoln County Courthouse

300 Central Avenue

Carrizozo, NM 88301

Phone: (575) 648–2432

Fax: (575) 648–2581

Otero County Courthouse

1000 New York Avenue

Alamogordo, NM 88310

Phone: (575) 437–7310

Fax: (575) 434–8886

Thirteenth Judicial District Court - Cibola, Sandoval, and Valencia counties

Cibola

700 E Roosevelt Avenue, Suite 60

Grants, NM 87020

Phone: (505) 287–8831

Sandoval

1500 Idalia Road, Building A

Bernalillo, NM 87004

Phone: (505) 867–2376

Valencia

1835 Highway 314 South West

Los Lunas, NM 87031

Phone: (505) 865–4639