How Do New Mexico Municipal Courts Work?

The Municipal Court is one of the limited jurisdiction courts in New Mexico’s judicial system. It is also known as the people’s court because most citizens in the state encounter the judicial system through it as plaintiffs, defendants, victims, or witnesses. The Municipal Court judges resolve cases brought by the city/town prosecutor in which the prosecutor alleges that a city law or ordinance has been violated.

In the state of New Mexico, courts handle matters of municipal ordinance violations, petty misdemeanors, and traffic violations and infraction cases such as DWI/DUIs. New Mexico Municipal Courts also have jurisdiction over offenses committed within the municipality’s limits that are punishable by fines of up to $500 and incarceration of up to 90 days. Criminal cases that are addressed in this court include:

• Possession of Marijuana
• Trespassing
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/equipment
• Patronizing a prostitute
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Battery
• Theft under $1000
• Interference with Law Enforcement
• Driving on a Suspended License
• Traffic Charges including violation of campus traffic regulations
• Issuance of search warrants, arrest warrants, bench warrants, and subpoenas
• Performance of marriage ceremonies

According to the city laws, there are 81 Municipal Courts, and each of them may have peculiar and varying procedures and processes. Therefore, penalties for crimes may differ in Municipal courts across the state.

Although the municipal Court can only exercise jurisdiction or authority over offenses or violations of municipal ordinance within the city limits, some cases may be beyond its jurisdiction. For example, crimes such as driving while intoxicated or acts of domestic violence that may have occurred within the city limits but violate both municipal and state laws may first be referred to the prosecutor for evaluation to determine which court eventually prosecutes the case. In such situations, it may be decided that the case may be charged in the magistrate court or district court because the Municipal Court does not have exclusive jurisdiction over the issues it addresses.

The New Mexico Municipal Courts are similar to the State Magistrate courts because they are both limited jurisdiction courts that share authority over related cases. However, the municipal courts are limited to criminal cases and have no civil jurisdiction, and cannot provide jury trials. Hence, where the parties involved have the right to a jury trial, the case is transferred to the appropriate court.

Additionally, the New Mexico District Court is an appellate court for cases heard in the Municipal Court. Parties displeased by the municipal court’s decision on a case may appeal to the district court where the case will be heard “de novo,” which implies a new trial. New Mexico Municipal Courts are established as “courts not of record,” meaning no recordings or transcriptions of the oral proceedings heard in the court. Hence the district court has no records to review in the case of an appeal. As such, the district court holds a new trial with the introduction of evidence, testimonies, and exhibitions like the trial in the Municipal Court never happened.

The Judge makes all final decisions in the Municipal Court, and eighty-three judges preside over the 81 municipal courts across New Mexico. The Judges are elected to four-year terms in contested partisan elections. Since Municipal courts are established based on Municipal laws, the requirements to become municipal judges in the state are not fixed as they vary by municipality. However, after appointments, each municipal Judge must complete a yearly judicial training program to discharge the position’s duties. According to state laws, no municipal judge shall receive remuneration until the required judicial program is completed or the Judge is exempted for a good cause by the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice.

Usually, when a municipal court judge is appointed, the governing body assists the office by appointing a Clerk of Court who is mandated by law to provide nonjudicial and clerical support to the Judge. Such support may include keeping and distributing records, making reports, and turning over all fines and penalties to the municipal treasurer.

New Mexico Municipal courts have the statutory obligation to automate their systems to encourage efficient court filing processes and timely provision of court records to inquirers. Individuals may access available public municipal court records (criminal domestic violence and DWI historic convictions) through the Case Lookup online portal. They may also visit or query the Courts directly to obtain access to inspect or copy court records.

Alamogordo Municipal Court
1376 East 9th Street, Otero
Alamogordo, NM 88310
Phone: (575) 439–4255
Fax: (575) 439–4212

Angel Fire Municipal Court
27 Halo Pines Terrace
P.O. Box 610
Colfax
Angel Fire, NM 87710
Phone: (575) 377–3800
Fax: (575) 377–5915

Anthony Municipal Court
Anthony Drive
P.O. Box 2525
Dona Ana
Anthony, NM 88021
Phone: (575) 882–5722
Fax: (575) 882–2978

Artesia Municipal Court
3300 West Main, Suite A
Artesia, NM 88210
Phone: (575) 746–9401
Fax: (575) 746–9678

Aztec Municipal Court
201 West Chaco
San Juan
Aztec, NM 87410
Phone: (505) 334–7640
Fax: (505) 334–7639

Bayard Municipal Court
801 Central Avenue
Grant
P.O. Box 788
Bayard, NM 88023
Phone: (575) 537–5438
Fax: (575) 537–2511

Belen Municipal Court
525 Becker Avenue
Valencia
Belen, NM 87002
Phone: (505) 864–7543
Fax: (505) 864–7543

Bernalillo Municipal Court
829 Camino del Pueblo
P.O. Box 638
Sandoval
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Phone: (505) 771–5893
Fax: (505) 404–2583

Bloomfield Municipal Court
711 Ruth Lane
San Juan
P.O. Box 1839
Bloomfield, NM 87413
Phone: (505) 632–6330
Fax: (505) 632–6331

Bosque Farms Municipal Court
1455 W. Bosque Loop
P.O. Box 660
Valencia
Bosque Farms, NM 87068
Phone: (505) 869–9231
Fax: (505) 869–6898

Capitan Municipal Court
114 Lincoln Avenue
Lincoln
P.O. Box 246
Capitan, NM 88316
Phone: (575) 354–2247
Fax: (575) 354–2713

Carlsbad Municipal Court
114 S. Halagueno
Eddy
Carlsbad, NM 88220
Phone: (575) 885–3363
Fax: (575) 887–4042

Chama Municipal Court
299 4th Street
Rio Arriba
P.O. Box 794
Chama, NM 87520
Phone: (575) 756–1019
Fax: (575) 756–1044

Cimarron Municipal Court
112 W 17th Street, Highway 21
P.O. Box 654, Colfax
Cimarron, NM 87714
Phone: (575) 376–2191
Fax: (575) 376–2996

Clayton Municipal Court
124 North Front Street
Union County
Clayton, NM 88415
Phone: (575) 374–8114
Fax: (575) 374–8114

Cloudcroft Municipal Court
201 Burro Avenue
P.O. Box 317
Otero
Cloudcroft, NM 88317
Phone: (575) 682–2646
Fax: (575) 682–2511

Clovis Municipal Court
217 West 4th Street,
P.O. Box 876
Curry
Clovis, NM 88102
Phone: (575) 769–7860
Fax: (575) 763–9607

Columbus Municipal Court
224 Lima Avenue
P.O. Box 350
Luna
Columbus, NM 88029
Phone: (575) 531–2801
Fax: (575) 531–0046

Corrales Municipal Court
4324 Corrales Road
Sandoval
Corrales, NM 87048
Phone: (505) 897–0503
Fax: (505) 899–6541

Cuba Municipal Court
16-B East Cordova Street
P.O. Box 426
Sandoval County
Cuba, NM 87013
Phone: (575) 289–3563
Fax: (575) 289–2358

Deming Municipal Court
309 South Gold Street
P.O. Box 706
Luna county
Deming, NM 88030
Phone: (575) 544–9240
Fax: (575) 546–2597

Dexter Municipal Court
115 E. Second Street
P.O. Box 627
Chaves County
Dexter, NM 88230
Phone: (575) 734–5400
Fax: (575) 734–5407

Eagle Nest Municipal Court
151 Willow Creek Drive
P.O. Box 168
Colfax County
Eagle Nest, NM 87718
Phone: (575) 377–2486
Fax: (575) 377–2675

Edgewood Municipal Court
18 Municipal Way
P.O. Box 3610
Santa Fe
Edgewood, NM 87015
Phone: (505) 286–4518
Fax: (505) 286–4519

Elephant Butte Municipal Court
103 Water Street
Sierra County
P.O. Box 398
Elephant Butte, NM 97935
Phone: (575) 744–4892
Fax: (575) 744–4493

Elida Municipal Court
704 Clark Street
P.O. Box 208
Roosevelt County
Elida, NM 88116
Phone: (575) 274–6442
Fax: (575) 274–6308

Espanola Municipal Court
Rio Arriba / Santa Fe
1316 Calle Adelante, Suite D
Espanola, NM 87532
Phone: (505) 747–6033
Fax: (505) 747–6049

Estancia Municipal Court
512 Williams Avenue
P.O. Box 166
Torrance County
Estancia, NM 87016
Phone: (505) 384–0512
Fax: (505) 384–5218

Eunice Municipal Court
1321 Main Street
P.O. Box 147
Lea County
Eunice, NM 88231
Phone: (575) 394–2635
Fax: (575) 394–2019

Farmington Municipal Court
800 Municipal Drive
San Juan
Farmington, NM 87401
Phone: (505) 599–1247
Fax: (505) 599–1254

Fort Sumner Municipal Court
173 East Avenue C
P.O. Box 180
De Baca
Fort Sumner, NM 88119
Phone: (575) 355–2402
Fax: (575) 355–7491

Gallup Municipal Court
451 State Road 564
P. O. Drawer 430
Mckinley County
Gallup, NM 87305
Phone: (505) 863–4469
Fax: (505) 863–9291

Grants Municipal Court
105 E. Roosevelt, Suite B
Grants, NM 87020
Phone: (505) 287–3835
Fax: (505) 285–3927

Hagerman Municipal Court
209 E. Argyle
Chaves County
Hagerman, NM 88232
Phone: (575) 752–3202
Fax: (575) 752–3202

Hatch Municipal Court
#5 Chile Capital Lane
P.O. Box 220
Dona Ana County
Hatch, NM 87937
Phone: (575) 267–3021
Fax: (575) 267–4707

Hobbs Municipal Court
301 North Turner
200 E Broadway
Hobbs, NM 88240
Phone: (575) 397–9272
Fax: (575) 397–9365

Hope Municipal Court
408 2nd Street
P.O. Box 127
Eddy County
Hope, NM 88250
Phone: (575) 484–3351
Fax: (575) 484–3153

Hurley Municipal Court
101 Cortez, Grant County
P.O. Box 65
Hurley, NM 88043
Phone: (575) 537–3220
Fax: (575) 537–2797

Jal Municipal Court
3421 S. Road 18
Drawer W
Jal, NM 88252
Phone: (575) 395–3314
Fax: (575) 395–2004

Jemez Springs Municipal Court
090A Jemez Springs Plaza
P.O. Box 269
Jemez Springs, NM 87025
Phone: (575) 829–3858
Fax: (575) 829–9171

Lake Arthur Municipal Court
Physical Address 501 Maine
P.O. Box 54
Lake Arthur, NM 88253
Phone: (575) 365–2902
Fax: (575) 365–2108

Las Cruces Municipal Court
135 E. Griggs
P. O. Drawer 20000
Las Cruces, NM 88004
Phone: (575) 541–2224
Fax: (575) 541–2184

Las Vegas Municipal Court
727 Grand Avenue
P.O. Box 1471
Las Vegas, NM 87701
Phone: (505) 425–9403
Fax: (505) 454–6943

Lordsburg Municipal Court
110 E. 2nd Street
P.O. Box 505
Lordsburg, NM 88045
Phone: (575) 542–3124
Fax: (575) 542–8064

Los Alamos Municipal Court
2500 Trinity Drive, Suite C
Los Alamos, NM 87544
Phone: (505) 662–8025
Fax: (505) 662–8365

Los Lunas Municipal Court
660 West Main Street
P.O. Box 1388
Los Lunas, NM 87031
Phone: (505) 839–3844
Fax: (505) 352–3581

Los Ranchos Municipal Court
6718 Rio Grande Boulevard. NW
Los Ranchos, NM 87107
Phone: (505) 344–6582
Fax: (575) 635–4194

Loving Municipal Court
415 W. Cedar
P.O. Box 89
Loving, NM 88256
Phone: (575) 745–3574
Fax: (575) 745–1134

Lovington Municipal Court
213 South Love
Lovington, NM 88260
Phone: (575) 396–4043
Fax: (575) 396–0161

Magdalena Municipal Court
106 So. Main Street
P.O. Box 145
Magdalena, NM 87825
Phone: (575) 854–2603
Fax: (575) 854–2273

Melrose Municipal Court
105 East Avenue B
P.O. Box 235
Melrose, NM 88124
Phone:575) 253–4274
Fax: (575) 253–4260

Mesilla Municipal Court
Avenida de Mesilla
P.O. Box 1517
Dona Ana
Mesilla, NM 88046
Phone: (575) 524–1091
Fax: (575) 647–9140

Milan Municipal Court
630 Uranium Avenue
P.O. Box 2727
Milan, NM 87021
Phone: (505) 285–9841
Fax: (505) 285–4094

Moriarty Municipal Court
201 S. Broadway Avenue
P.O. Box 130
Torrance County
Moriarty, NM 87035
Phone: (505) 832–6354
Fax: (505) 832–2591

Mountainair Municipal Court
109 Roosevelt
P.O. Box 115
Mountainair, NM 87036
Phone: (505) 847–2321
Fax: (505) 847–2746

Peralta Municipal Court
90A Molina Rd
P.O. Box 432
Peralta, NM 87042
Phone: (505) 869–2205
Fax: (505) 869–2958

Portales Municipal Court
520 W. 2nd Street
Portales, NM 88130
Phone: (575) 356–4923
Fax: (575) 359–1492

Questa Municipal Court
2503 Old State Road. 3
P.O. Box 1162
Questa, NM 87556
Phone: (575) 586–1313
Fax: (575) 586–2441

Raton Municipal Court
224 Savage Avenue
P.O. Box 65
Raton, NM 87740
Phone: (575) 445–8077
Fax: (575) 445–7689

Red River Municipal Court
100 E. Main Street
P.O. Box 964
Red River, NM 87558
Phone: (575) 754–3464
Fax: (575) 754–3465

Rio Communities Municipal Court
360 Rio Communities Boulevard
P.O. Box 565
Rio Communities, NM 87002
Phone: (505) 861–6803

Rio Rancho Municipal Court
500 Quantum Road NE
P.O. Box 15190
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Phone: (505) 891–5999
Fax: (505) 891–5990

Roswell Municipal Court
420 N. Richardson
P.O. Box 2124
Roswell, NM 88202
Phone: (575) 624–6725
Fax: (575) 624–6763

Ruidoso Downs Municipal Court
122 Downs Drive
P.O. Box 668
Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346
Phone: (575) 378–5316
Fax: (575) 378–5222

Ruidoso Municipal Court
421 Wingfield Street
P. O. Drawer 2330
Ruidoso, NM 88355
Phone: (575) 257–9055
Fax: (575) 257–7965

San Ysidro Municipal Court
372 State Road 4
P.O. Box 28
San Ysidro, NM 87053
Phone: (575) 834–7481
Fax: (575) 834–1301

Santa Clara Municipal Court
105 N. Bayard Street
P.O. Box 316
Santa Clara, NM 88026
Phone: (575) 537–6417
Fax: (575) 537–2452

Santa Fe Municipal Court
2511 Camino Entrada
P.O. Box 909
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Phone: (505) 955–5070
Fax: (505) 955–5125

Santa Rosa Municipal Court
244 S. Fourth Street
P.O. Box 429
Santa Rosa, NM 88435
Phone: (575) 472–4232
Fax: (575) 472–2543

Silver City Municipal Court
215 N. Bullard
Silver City, NM 88061
Phone: (575) 388–4504
Fax: (575) 388–0465

Socorro Municipal Court
404 Park Street
P.O. Box 1905
Socorro, NM 87801
Phone: (575) 835–2558
Fax: (575) 835–4803

Springer Municipal Court
606 Colbert Avenue
P.O. Box 488
Springer, NM 87747
Phone: (575) 483–2682
Fax: (575) 483–2910

Sunland Park Municipal Court
1000 McNutt Road, Suite F
Sunland Park, NM 88063
Phone: (575) 589–0709
Fax: (575) 874–3866

Taos Municipal Court
114 Civic Plaza Drive
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (575) 737–2601
Fax: (575) 737–2604

Tatum Municipal Court
121 West Broadway
P.O. Box 156
Tatum, NM 88267
Phone: (575) 398–8880
Fax: (575) 398–8881

Texico Municipal Court
219 Griffin Street
Texico, NM 88135
Phone: (575) 482–3315
Fax: (575) 482–9124

Truth or Consequences Municipal Court
297 West 3rd
Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
Phone: (575) 894–7812
Fax: (575) 894–3946

Tucumcari Municipal Court
215 East Center
P.O. Box 1188
Tucumcari, NM 88401
Phone: (575) 461–6375
Fax: (575) 461–0439

Tularosa Municipal Court
609 Street Francis Drive, Suite A
Tularosa, NM 88352
Phone: (575) 585–2901
Fax: (575) 585–2965

Vaughn Municipal Court
320 E 8th Street
P.O. Box 215
Vaughn, NM 88353
Phone: (575) 584–2206
Fax: (575) 584–9109

Williamsburg Municipal Court
309 Veater Street
P.O. Box 334
Williamsburg, NM 88353
Phone: (575) 894–1701
Fax: (575) 894–0466