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