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About the Courts

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court consists of five Justices and is located in Santa Fe. This is the court of last resort and has superintending control over all inferior courts and attorneys licensed in the state.

This court has mandatory appellate jurisdiction over: criminal matters in which the sentence imposed is life in prison or the death penalty, appeals from the Public Regulation Commission, appeals from the granting of writs of habeas corpus, appeals in actions challenging nominations, and removal of public officials.

Discretionary jurisdiction: denials of petitions for writ of habeas corpus, petitions for writ of certiorari to the Court of Appeals, other extraordinary writ matters, and certified questions either from the Court of Appeals or federal courts.

Court of Appeals

Ten judges preside, sitting in panels of three. The Court of Appeals has offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

This court has mandatory jurisdiction in: civil, non-capital criminal, juvenile cases; Discretionary jurisdiction in interlocutory decision cases and administrative agency appeals.

District Court

One-hundred-two judges preside. There are thirteen different districts. These are District Courts of general jurisdiction which hold jury trials.

This court will hear these types of cases: Tort, contract, real property rights, and estate. Exclusive domestic relations, mental health, appeals for administrative agencies and lower courts, miscellaneous civil jurisdiction; Misdemeanor. Exclusive criminal appeals jurisdiction; Exclusive juvenile jurisdiction.

Magistrate Court

Sixty-seven judges preside. There are 46 magistrate courts. These are courts of limited jurisdiction. Jury trials.

This court will hear these types of cases: Tort, contract, landlord/tenant rights ($0-10,000); Felony preliminary hearings; Misdemeanor, DWI/DUI and other traffic violations.

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

Nineteen judges preside. Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court is of limited jurisdiction. Jury trials.

This court will hear these types of cases: Tort, contract, landlord/tenant rights ($0-10,000); Felony first appearances; Misdemeanor, DWI/DUI, Domestic Violence and other traffic violations.

Municipal Court

Eighty-three judges preside. There are eighty-one municipal courts. These are courts of limited jurisdiction. No jury trials.

This court will hear these types of cases: Petty misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, traffic violations and other municipal ordinance violations.

Probate Court

Thirty-three judges. There are thirty-three counties. These are courts of limited jurisdiction. No jury trials.

This court will hear these types of cases: Informal probate; Estate (Hears uncontested cases. Contested cases go to district court).

Court Improvement Program / Forms & Files

Forms & Files

NMFAP ECHO® Training Library

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2015 Child & Family Services Reviews

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Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008

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Acronyms in Child Welfare

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LGTBQ Information Power Point Presentation (PPT)

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Interactive Flow Chart of Child Abuse and Neglect Cases

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First Step Toward Reunification

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Seen and Heard Power Point Presentation (PPT)

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National Association of Counsel for Children

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Odyssey – JQ Clerks Training Guide

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Odyssey – JQ Data Quality Guide

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Odyssey – JQ Judicial Staff Training Guide

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Docketing Statement Sample 1

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Appellant’s Docketing Sample 2

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Handbook for Parents

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Youth Bill of Rights

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Mediation

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Ensuring the Well-Being of Children in Foster Care

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Away From Home

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What’s Going On? A Coloring Book

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Transition to Adulthood

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Understanding the Child Abuse Legal System

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Going to Court: When and How a Foster Parent Can Help

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Pacing Permanency, A Child Protection Best Practices Bulletin

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Child Protective Services: A Guide for Caseworkers

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Juvenile & Family Immigration Bench Guide

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Psychotropic Medication and Children and Foster Care

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Ten Things Every Juvenile Court Judge Should Know about Trauma and Delinquency

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Questions Every Judge and Lawyer Should Ask About Infants and Toddlers in the Child Welfare System

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Trauma-Informed Courts

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Judicial Checklists to Meet the Educational Needs of Children and Youth in Foster Care

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Improving Compliance with ICWA: A Guide for Juvenile and Family Courts

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Judicial Bench Card for ICWA cases in New Mexico

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Engaging Fathers

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Engaging Children/Youth in Court

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Preliminary Protective Hearing Bench Card (for the custody hearing)

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Judicial Checklist for Children and Youth Exposed to Violence

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Guide for Judges

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ACF Info Memo

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Bench Cards

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TA Brief (Key Principles for Improving Court Practice in Juvenile Delinquency Cases)

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Effects of an Interdisciplinary Approach to Parental Representation in Child Welfare (A summary of a recent research study in New York City)

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New Mexico Family Advocacy Program

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