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 suneject 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