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The Supreme Court of New Mexico is seeking applications to fill two (2) vacancies on the Rules of Civil Procedure for State Courts Committee, and one (1) additional vacancy on the Appellate Rules Committee. The Court would like to encourage judicial applicants for these vacancies to maintain practice area diversity on these committees. However, the Court welcomes all applications and anyone interested in volunteering to serve on one of these committees may apply by submitting an application, along with a resume, to Elizabeth A. Garcia, Chief Clerk, by email to nmsupremecourtclerk@nmcourts.gov, or by first class mail to P.O. Box 848, Santa Fe, NM 87504. The required application form can be found on the Supreme Court’s website at https://supremecourt.nmcourts.gov/careers/current-vacancies/.
Applications for these vacancies will be accepted through Sept. 30. If you have already submitted an application and are interested in being considered for any of these positions as well, please send an email to the Supreme Court Clerk’s Office indicating the same.
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The Supreme Court of New Mexico is seeking applications to fill existing vacancies on its committees, boards, and commissions listed below. Unless otherwise noted below, any person may apply to serve on any of the following committees, boards, and commissions:
Voting member positions 1 Children's Court Judge position 1 law enforcement member position 1 legislative member of the Senate/House (Minority Party) 1 youth advocate position 1 youth advocate for behavioral health position 2 advocate for foster youth positions Non-voting member positions 1 district attorney in Children's Court position 1 community partner representative
2 vacancies for NM legislature representative position 1 vacancy for family member not guardian or conservator 1 vacancy for CEO of Interagency Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative Representative
Anyone interested in volunteering to serve on one or more of the foregoing committees, boards, or commissions may apply by submitting an application, along with a resume, to Elizabeth A. Garcia, Chief Clerk, by email to nmsupremecourtclerk@nmcourts.gov, or by first class mail to P.O. Box 848, Santa Fe, NM 87504. The required application form can be found on the Supreme Court’s website at https://supremecourt.nmcourts.gov/careers/current-vacancies/. Please submit applications by Sept. 20.
Eight (8) applications have been received in the Judicial Selection Office as of 5 p.m. (MT), on Aug. 29 for the vacancy on the Second Judicial District Family Court due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Gerard J. Lavelle, effective Sept. 1.
The Second Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission will convene at 9:30 a.m. (MT) on Sept. 17 to interview applicants at the New Mexico State Bar located at 5121 Masthead St NE, Albuquerque, NM. The Commission meeting is open to the public and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
The names of the applicants in alphabetical order:
Bryan Thomas Fox Veronica Lee Hill Donny Deron Johnson Jr. Crystal Emerald Lees Taylor Edwin Lieuwen Ramon Julian Maestas Deian McBryde Edna Frances Sprague
For more information, email akin@law.unm.edu.
The Supreme Court approved amendments to Forms 4-602B, 4-602C, 9-513B, and 9-513C NMRA, which allow jurors to identify their personal pronouns and designated salutations in the juror questionnaire and qualification forms. The Court also issued Order No. S-1-AO-2024-00030, which requires courts and attorneys to use the juror’s name, designated salutation or personal pronouns, or other respectful means when addressing, referring to, or identifying the juror, either orally or in writing. The administrative order is available for viewing on the Court’s website at https://supremecourt.nmcourts.gov/rules-forms-files/administrative-orders/.
In accordance with Rule 23-106.1 NMRA, the Supreme Court has approved out-of-cycle rule amendments. What follows is a summary of amendments the Court approved on August 23, 2024. Unless otherwise noted in the history note at the end of each approved rule, the amendments will take effect October 7, 2024. The full text of the amendments in markup format and the related rules and administrative orders are available on the Court’s website here. The approved rule amendments will also be available on NMOneSource.com by their effective date.
Page Rate Increases for Court Reporter Transcripts – Amended Rule 22-207 NMRA
The Supreme Court approved the recommendation from the Board Governing the Recording of Judicial Proceedings to amend Rule 22-207 NMRA to increase the page rates for official court reporter transcripts. These increases are intended to reflect inflation and to help relieve the shortage of official court reporters in New Mexico.
Juror Questionnaire and Qualification Forms – Amended Forms 4-602B, 4-602C, 9-513B, and 9-513C NMRA
The Supreme Court approved the New Mexico Supreme Court Commission on Equity and Justice’s recommendation to amend the juror questionnaire forms, Forms 4-602C and 9-513C NMRA, to allow jurors to identify their personal pronouns. The Court also approved (1) amendments to the juror questionnaire forms that allow jurors to include their preferred designated salutations, and (2) amendments to the juror qualification forms, Forms 4-602B and 9-513B NMRA, that allow jurors to identify their personal pronouns and preferred designated salutations. These amendments are intended to ensure that all participants in the judicial process will be treated with dignity, respect, and equality in New Mexico’s courts. Finally, the Court approved technical amendments to the juror questionnaire and qualification forms.
Pro Bono Services for Court Attorneys – Amended Rules 16-601, 21-310, and 24-108 NMRA
The Supreme Court has approved amendments to Rules 16-601, 21-310, and 24-108 NMRA that allow court attorneys to perform limited pro bono work. The amendments also clarify government attorneys’ participation in pro bono work and clarify that full-time justices, judges, hearing officers, and special commissioners are prohibited from performing pro bono work. Amendments to the New Mexico Judicial Branch Personnel Rules and Outside Employment Form will be forthcoming to provide clear guidelines and requirements for the performance of pro bono work by court attorneys.
THE RULE AMENDMENTS SUMMARIZED ABOVE CAN BE VIEWED IN THEIR ENTIRETY AT THE NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT WEBSITE https://supremecourt.nmcourts.gov/2024-approved-amendments-to-rules-and-forms/
A vacancy on the Second Judicial District Court will exist as of Sept. 1 due to the retirement of the Hon. Gerard J. Lavelle. This judicial vacancy will be for Family Court. Inquiries regarding the details or assignment of this judicial vacancy should be directed to the Administrator of the Court. Applicants seeking information regarding election or retention if appointed should contact the Bureau of Elections in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Camille Carey, Chair of the Second Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission, invites applications for this position from lawyers who meet the statutory qualifications in Article VI, Section 14 of the New Mexico Constitution. Applications may be obtained from the Judicial Selection website: https://lawschool.unm.edu/judsel/application.html, or emailed to you by contacting the Judicial Selection Office at akin@law.unm.edu. The deadline for applications has been set for Aug. 29 at 5 p.m. (MT). Applications received after that time will not be considered.
The Second Judicial District Court Nominating Commission will meet beginning at 9:30 a.m. (MT) on Sept. 17 to interview applicants for the position at the State Bar Center, located at 5121 Masthead Street N.E., in their conference rooms.
The Committee meeting is open to the public and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to be heard.
The Second Judicial District Court will be closed on Sept. 20 for training. The Court will reopen on Sept. 23.
In October 2024, the National Conference of Bar Examiners will conduct a nationwide prototype exam for the NextGen bar exam, which is currently under development. The prototype exam is a full-length, nine-hour pre-test over two days of the new bar exam question types and format that will debut in July 2026. The New Mexico prototype exam will be held Oct. 25-26 in Albuquerque.
July 2024 bar examinees will be invited to apply to serve as paid participants in the October prototype exam and, if selected, will be paid $1,500 for their participation. Participants are required to make a good-faith effort on this exam but are not expected to study for it.
For more information regarding the prototype exam, visit nextgenbarexam.ncbex.org/nextgen-prototype-exam-october-2024. For further information regarding the NextGen bar exam, visit https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen.
The application period will open on Aug. 19 and will close on Aug. 29. Potential examinees must maintain a current email in their NCBE account (https://accounts.ncbex.org) and with their jurisdiction's bar examiners.
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New Mexico magistrate courts and the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court will begin receiving and processing subsequent electronic filings into criminal cases through the eFile & Serve system on Aug. 23. The Judiciary is offering training for attorneys, office managers and support staff. The e-filing system cannot be used to initiate a criminal case, but will be available for subsequent filings in cases.
Electronic filing and service of documents in criminal cases will occur through the eFile & Serve system that has been used for civil, family, and probate filings submitted electronically to courts. Training announcements and registration links will be emailed to eFile & Serve users for attorney training sessions the week of Aug. 19-22. The Judiciary’s website will provide resource materials for attorneys and justice partners.
View Notice and Next Steps for Attorneys
In accordance with Rule 23-106.1 NMRA, the Supreme Court has approved out-of-cycle rule amendments. What follows is a summary of those amendments that the Court approved on May 17, 2024. The amendments are effective July 1, 2024. The full text of the amendments in markup format and the related orders are available on the Court’s website here. The approved rule amendments will also be available on NMOneSource.com.
Procedure for Local Rules Changes – New Rule 23-106.2 NMRA; Amended Rules 23-106 and 23-106.1 NMRA; and Withdrawn Rules 1-083 and 5-102 NMRA
The New Mexico Supreme Court has adopted a new rule and approved amendments to rules dealing with rule change requests. The new rule implements processes for local rule change requests. The Court has also approved the withdrawal of two rules that previously set out procedures for local rule change requests.
Case Management Program for Criminal Cases – Amended Rule LR3-303 NMRA
The New Mexico Supreme Court has approved amendments to a local rule of the Third Judicial District Court setting out the district’s case management pilot program for criminal cases. The amendments clarify that a new probable cause determination is not required when charges are refiled within six months after the court dismisses a case without prejudice and a probable cause determination has previously been made by a preliminary hearing or grand jury.
In accordance with Rule 23-106.1 NMRA, the Supreme Court has approved out-of-cycle rule amendments. What follows is a summary of those amendments that the Court approved on May 8, 2024. The amendments are effective May 8, 2024. The full text of the amendments in markup format, the related rules and administrative orders, and a memorandum from the Administrative Office of the Courts are available on the Court’s website here. The approved rule amendments will also be available on NMOneSource.com.
Pretrial Release and Detention – New Rule 5-403.1 NMRA; Amended Rules 5-208, 5-401, 5-403, 5-409, 6-204, 6-401, 6-403, 7-204, 7-401, 7-403, 8-401, and 8-403 NMRA; and Amended Form 9-210A NMRA The New Mexico Supreme Court has adopted a new criminal rule and approved amendments to a criminal form and various criminal rules dealing with revocation or amendment of a defendant’s conditions of release, pretrial detention, and arrest warrants in criminal cases. The amendments also implement new processes to automatically review conditions of release or consider revocation of conditions of release for defendants alleged to have committed new crimes while released before trial.
The Eleventh Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission reconvened at 10 a.m. (MT) on Monday, April 22, 2024 at the Eleventh Judicial District Court, located at the McKinley County Gallup District Court, 207 W Hill Ave, Gallup, N.M. to interview one additional applicant for the position in the Eleventh Judicial District Court Gallup, due to retirement of the Honorable Judge Louis E. DePauli, Jr. effective April 1, 2024.
The Commission recommends the following additional candidate to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:
Brad Keeler
The Eleventh Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission reconvened at 10 a.m. (MT) on Monday, April 22, 2024 at the Eleventh Judicial District Court, located at the McKinley County Gallup District Court, 207 W Hill Ave, Gallup, N.M. to interview one additional applicant for the position in the Eleventh Judicial District Court Aztec, due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Karen L. Townsend, effective March 31, 2024.
Article VI, Section 35 of the New Mexico Constitution provides that the Commission shall submit additional na mes to the Governor “if a majority of the commission finds that additional persons would be qualified and recommends those persons for appointment to the judicial office.” The majority of the Commission did not recommend any additional applicants for appointment to fill the vacancy due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Karen L.Townsend, effective March 31, 2024.
New Mexico Courts launched a new website to provide the public with an improved user experience and a fresh, new look. The website is nmcourts.gov.
“We really focused on understanding the needs of the public,” said Cassandra Hayne, Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Chief Technology Officer. “The new website is more intuitive and makes finding information easier. People often go to our website for specific reasons, and now they should find what they need faster.”
Included on the main homepage are navigation tiles –blocks with images and links – that readily offer options most people are looking for, such as information about serving on a jury, self-representation, or paying fines. The tiles and the top menu bar have a standard look and feel with court-specific information. For example, all court webpages have a tile linking people to a schedule of court dockets. The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court webpage includes access to virtual hearings, while the Eleventh Judicial District also includes a tile with information about Justice Stations in the Farmington, Gallup and Aztec area that allow people to appear remotely in a court hearing.
New features on the website include:
“One of the best improvements to the website is a more mobile-friendly interface,” said AOC Director Artie Pepin. “Most people are using smartphones to come to our website so it’s important to have a product that delivers a better viewing experience on their phone.”
The website, designed by Astriata, also has a new color palette and pictures of courthouses and New Mexico landscapes throughout. A website banner photo contest was held judiciary-wide last summer to find the captivating photo for the main homepage. Out of 81 entries, the Supreme Court voted on the top five and Monica Rodriguez from the Second Judicial District Court had the winning photo of Abiquiu Lake.
“This photo was taken in July of 2022 when the world was collectively rebounding from the pandemic,” said grand prize winner Monica Rodriguez. “It amazed me that nature did not seem to notice the human impact of a tiny virus on humanity. The sunshine and the reflections of the sky on water are eternal.”
Please visit nmcourts.gov to find schedules of hearings in courts across the state, to request an interpreter, and access self-representation resources.
View the full press release here.
The Supreme Court issued Order No. S-1-AO-2024-00016, which allows parties and attorneys to identify their personal pronouns and designated salutations in court pleadings. The order also requires courts to use the party's or attorney's name, personal pronouns, or designated salutation when
The Second Judicial District Court will provide text notifications to attorneys to share information related to inclement weather delays and temporary closures. Sign up to receive texts by sending a text from your mobile device to: 77295 and entering the word attorney2nd. Information provided will strictly be on behalf of the Second Judicial District Court and is not intended to relay information for any other courts.
Effective April 1, a mass reassignment of all active cases previously assigned to Judge Sylvia LaMar and Division IV will occur pursuant to NMSC Rule 23-109, the Chief Judge Rule. The Honorable Denise Thomas has been appointed to Division IV of the First Judicial District and will maintain a Family Court Docket. Parties who have not previously exercised their right to challenge or excuse will have ten (10) days from April 24 to challenge or excuse Judge Denise Thomas pursuant to Rule 1-088.1.
The Eleventh Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission met on March 21, 2024 and submitted one name to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for consideration to fill the vacancy in the Eleventh Judicial District Court - Gallup due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Louis E. DePauli, Jr., effective April 1.
Pursuant to her authority to do so, Gov. Lujan Grisham has requested that the commission submit additional names to her for consideration. Accordingly, Dean Camille Carey of the UNM School of Law, designated by the New Mexico Constitution to Chair the Eleventh Judicial District Nominating Commission, is soliciting additional applications for this position from lawyers who meet the constitutional qualifications.
Applications, as well as information related to qualifications for the position, may be obtained from the Judicial Selection website. The deadline for applications has been set for April 9 at 5 p.m. (MT) Applications received after that date will not be considered.
Applications received by the initial deadline of March 7 remain viable and open for consideration by the commission. Applicants who appeared before the commission on March 21, including the one applicant whose name was submitted to Gov. Lujan Grisham, do not need to reapply or reappear before the commission.
Applicants seeking information regarding election or retention if appointed should contact the Bureau of Elections in the Office of the Secretary of State.
The date and time of the reconvening of the Eleventh Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission – Gallup will be April 22 beginning at 10 a.m. (MT), at the McKinley County-Gallup District Court, located 207 W Hill Ave, Gallup, NM, any additional interviews will be conducted then. The Commission meeting is open to the public, and members of the public who wish to be heard about any of the candidates will have an opportunity to speak at that time.
The Eleventh Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission convened at 10 a.m. (MT) on March 21 at the at the Eleventh Judicial District Court, located at the McKinley County-Gallup District Court, 207 W Hill Ave, Gallup, NM to interview applicants for the two position in the Eleventh Judicial District Court, due to the retirement of the Hon. Louis E. DePauli, Jr., effective April 1, in Gallup, New Mexico and the retirement of the Hon. Karen L. Townsend, effective March 31, in Aztec, New Mexico. One vacancy is at the McKinley County-Gallup District Court in Gallup, New Mexico. The other vacancy is at the San Juan County-Aztec/Farmington District Court in Aztec, New Mexico.
The Commission recommends the following candidates to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:
Gallup, NM Vacancy
Ramsey Mumtaz Younis
Aztec, NM Vacancy
Brian Douglas Decker
Stephen Michael Wayne
Pursuant to Rule 1-088.1, NMRA, the Second Judicial District Clerk of Court hereby serves notice that a mass reassignment of all Children’s Court cases assigned to the Honorable Marie C. Ward and Division XIX in the Children’s Court, will be automatically reassigned to the Honorable Diana Garcia Division XIX, effective April 1, 2024. Any party may file a peremptory excusal within ten (10) days upon completion of this publication which is on or before April 10, 2024.
The Tenth Judicial District Court Judicial Nominating Commission convened at 10:30 a.m. (MT) on Feb. 28 at the Tenth Judicial District Court located at 300 S. 3rd Street, Tucumcari, NM 88401, and completed its evaluation of the three applicants to fill the vacancy on the Tenth Judicial District Court due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Albert J. Mitchell, Jr., effective Feb. 2.
The Judicial Nominating Commission recommends the following applicants to Governor Michell Lujan Grisham:
Nancy English
Timothy L. Rose
For more information, contact Beverly Akin at akin@law.unm.edu.
In accordance with Rule 23-106.1 NMRA, the Supreme Court has approved the following out-of-cycle rule amendments. What follows is a summary of those amendments that the Court approved on February 23, 2024, and February 27, 2024. The full text of the amendments in markup format and the related orders are available on the Court’s website here. The approved rule amendments will also be available on NMOneSource.com.
References Pertaining to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities – Amended Rules 5-602.2 and 5-602.3 NMRA
The Supreme Court approved the Rules of Criminal Procedure for State Courts Committee’s recommendation to amend Rules 5-602.2 and 5-602.3 NMRA to replace terminology pertaining to intellectual and developmental disabilities to reflect recent statutory amendments. The amendments are effective February 23, 2024.
Automatic Sanctions for Technical Violations by Probationers in the Eleventh Judicial District Court - Withdrawn LR11-302 NMRA
On recommendation of the Eleventh Judicial District Court, the Supreme Court has withdrawn LR11-302 NMRA, which sets forth the District’s technical violation program for probationers. The amendments are effective February 23, 2024.
Scribing for Self-Represented Litigants – Amended Rule 23-113 NMRA
The Supreme Court approved the New Mexico Commission on Access to Justice’s recommendation to amend Rule 23-113 NMRA to facilitate the Supreme Court’s Statewide Scribing Program implemented by Supreme Court Order No. S-1-AO-2024-00009. The amendments are effective June 1, 2024.
THE RULE AMENDMENTS SUMMARIZED ABOVE CAN BE VIEWED IN THEIR ENTIRETY AT THE NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT WEBSITE
https://supremecourt.nmcourts.gov/supreme-court/opinions-rules-and-forms/approved-amendments-to-rules-and-forms/2024-2/
The courtroom, whether a physical in-person courtroom, or a virtual courtroom, remains a formal and serious setting where judges hear matters involving real people that affect real lives. Every case is important, and all participants should maintain court decorum in the virtual world, just as they would in person. The New Mexico Supreme Court asks all individuals participating in Remote Court proceedings, as well as all meetings called by a member of the New Mexico Judiciary, to continue to observe the following well-established rules of court standards and decorum.
Please view the full procedure for remote proceedings and meeting standards by clicking the button below.
View Full Remote Proceedings and Meeting Standards Document
At its September 2022 session, the Judicial Conference approved a significant increase to the maximum per page original and copy transcript fee rates, effective October 1, 2023 (see attached chart). The increase of roughly 10 percent in each of the fiscal years 2024
and 2025, or roughly 20 percent overall, is aimed at keeping pace with inflation and helping courts recruit and retain qualified court reporters. The Guide to Judiciary Policy, Volume 6 (Guide), and transcript fee schedule on uscourts.gov will be updated to reflect these changes.
The District of New Mexico has adopted the proposed schedule of per page transcript fees, subject to the maximum rates established by the Judicial Conference. Transcripts ordered prior to the court’s adoption of a new fee schedule should be billed at the rates in effect at the time the order was placed with the court reporter.
New Original and Copy Transcript Fee Rates (Effective Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025)
Original Transcript Rates
Copy Rates
Expedited Transcript (7-Day)