New Mexico Courts
New Mexico Courts – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
LATEST INFORMATION: COVID 19 – CORONAVIRUS
The New Mexico Judiciary is committed to keeping everyone safe in courthouses. Effective Monday, March 21, 2022, screening questions are still required for entry into New Mexico Courthouses and judicial buildings and a minimum of three feet physical distancing will be strictly enforced. Masks are only required in courtrooms and jury assembly areas.
THE JUDICIARY'S NEW EVICTION PREVENTION AND DIVERSION PROGRAM
NM Courts Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program
State courts will phase in an Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program statewide in April and in stages lift a moratorium on evictions of people unable to pay their rent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program helps tenants access money available through the state Department of Finance and Administration for unpaid rent and utilities, temporary housing at a motel or hotel, and the initial costs of moving into new permanent housing. The court-based also provides trained facilitators to assist landlords and tenants in negotiating a possible settlement of their rental disputes.
Starting April 1 in the Second (Bernalillo County), Fifth (Chaves, Eddy and Lea counties), Tenth (DeBaca, Harding and Quay counties) and Twelfth (Lincoln and Otero counties) Judicial Districts.
Effective May 1 in the Third (Doña Ana County), Sixth (Grant, Hidalgo and Luna counties) and Seventh (Catron, Sierra, Socorro and Torrance counties) Judicial Districts.
Starting June 1 in the First (Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties), Fourth (Mora, Guadalupe and San Miguel counties), and Eighth (Colfax, Taos and Union counties) Judicial Districts.
Effective July 1 in the Eleventh (McKinley and San Juan counties) and Thirteen (Cibola, Sandoval and Valencia counties) Judicial Districts.
At the start of a hearing or trial in an eviction case, judges will advise the tenant and landlord about the Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program and the availability of federally funded emergency rental assistance administered by the state’s Department of Finance and Administration.
If the parties agree to participate in the program, the case will be put on hold for a minimum of 60 days while negotiations are underway with a court-appointed settlement facilitator. If needed, a court can grant up to 30 additional days for negotiations. The court will dismiss the case if a settlement is reached. The case will proceed if there is no settlement and a judge can issue an eviction order, known as a writ of restitution. If evicted, tenants may access rehousing assistance through the Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program.
NM Courts Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program Frequently Asked Questions
Statewide Rental Assistance Program
You may be eligible for the Emergency Rental Assitance Program that pays current or past due residential rent & utilities.
Documents needed to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Application for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in English
Application for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in Spanish
Apply at RentHelpNM.org or call
1-833-485-1334
The state Supreme Court has paused evictions for New Mexicans who prove that they are unable to pay rent during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
If a landlord begins an eviction proceeding, the renter will receive a summons that notifies them of the lawsuit and explains that they can participate in a hearing before a judge. Court hearings are conducted by video or telephone during the public health emergency, unless the parties ask to appear in person. To stop an eviction, renters must participate in the hearing and provide the judge with evidence of their current inability to pay their rent.
The summons you receive from the court will give you directions about how to participate in the hearing.
If you would like assistance with your eviction proceeding please contact:
New Mexico Legal Aid – 1-833-LGL-HELP (1-833-545-4357).
Senior Citizens Law Office – (505) 265-2300 (Serves residents of Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia and Torrance counties who are 60 or older).
Legal Resources for the Elderly Program, 800-876-6657 statewide; 505-797-6005 in Albuquerque, (Statewide free legal helpline for NM residents 55 and older.)
*Update
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court offers a free mediation program for people involved in active landlord-tenant cases in that court. The program began May 11th. A trained facilitator works with landlords and tenants to try to develop a business agreement beneficial to both sides. Click here for more details. People wishing to participate in the Landlord-Tenant Settlement Program should contact the Metro Court’s Mediation Division at (505) 841-8167.
I'M A JUROR
Jury Trials resumed February 1, 2021.
Jurors and visitors to all New Mexico Courts – We’re working to keep you safe – Learn more about how
Whether vaccinated or not, protective masks are still required in New Mexico courthouses and judicial buildings. Any person entering a New Mexico courthouse or judicial building must wear a mask to help control the spread of COVID-19. (Became effective May 16, 2020).
Courts will be prepared to provide masks to people without one when they need to enter a court facility.
Court staff and judicial officers in appellate, district, magistrate, metropolitan, municipal and probate courts and the Administrative Office of the Courts also must wear two masks, one KN95 or one KF 94 mask in the workplace.
“State health officials have made it abundantly clear that if each of us wears a mask in public we can help slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives,” said Justice Judith K. Nakamura, chair of the Supreme Court’s Emergency Response Team. “Our courts provide essential services to the public so we continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard the health and well-being of people who work in or need to visit a courthouse.”
For community safety, if you are sick please do not come to court.
Please notify the court of your inability to serve jury duty. Generally, contact information is on the bottom of your summons.
If you have been called for jury duty and have not yet been informed that your attendance is no longer required, please call or email the court that has called you for jury duty to determine whether your attendance is still necessary prior to traveling to the courthouse. The numbers are below:
New Mexico Jury Public Contact Information: Click Here
VISITING A COURTHOUSE? - MASK REQUIREMENTS
I REPRESENT MYSELF
Protective face coverings are required in New Mexico courthouses – Effective May 16, 2020 any person entering a New Mexico courthouse or judicial building must wear a mask or other protective face covering to help control the spread of COVID-19.
For community safety, if you are sick please do not come to court.
Video Instructions for Using Google Meet – Click Here Standard Operating Procedures for Google Hangouts Meet
If you need to file a pleading or other document in court, first contact the specific court for instruction. The court may have a process for you to fax or email the pleading or document rather than filing in court. The information is below by court:
- Court of Appeals
- 1st Judicial District Court
- 2nd Judicial District Court
- 3rd Judicial District Court
- 4th Judicial District Court
- 5th Judicial District Court
- 6th Judicial District Court – Magistrate Court
- 7th Judicial District Court
- 8th Judicial District Court
- 9th Judicial District Court
- 10th Judicial District Court
- 11th Judicial District Court
- 12th Judicial District Court
- 13th Judicial District Court
I'M A WITNESS
Protective face coverings are required in New Mexico courthouses – Effective May 16, 2020 any person entering a New Mexico courthouse or judicial building must wear a mask or other protective face covering to help control the spread of COVID-19.
For community safety, if you are sick please do not come to court.
Before attending a court proceeding, please contact the lawyer or party who has asked you to testify to find out whether the hearing is happening by video/phone or in-person and whether your attendance is still required.
I'M A LAWYER
Protective face coverings are required in New Mexico courthouses – Effective May 16, 2020 any person entering a New Mexico courthouse or judicial building must wear a mask or other protective face covering to help control the spread of COVID-19.
For community safety, if you are sick please do not come to court.
Now, courts are allowing lawyers to file by email or fax for case types that currently cannot be submitted electronically, see below for information by court.
If you do not need a hearing immediately, please do not ask the court for one.
If you have a hearing or trial in April or May of 2020 that has not been vacated, please communicate directly with the assigned judge to determine whether the hearing or trial will proceed and by what means (video/phone/in-person).
Video Instructions for Using Google Meet – Click Here Standard Operating Procedures for Google Hangouts Meet
General Instructions for Polycom
- Court of Appeals
- 1st Judicial District Court
- 2nd Judicial District Court
- 3rd Judicial District Court
- 4th Judicial District Court
- 5th Judicial District Court
- 6th Judicial District Court – Magistrate Court
- 7th Judicial District Court
- 8th Judicial District Court
- 9th Judicial District Court
- 10th Judicial District Court
- 11th Judicial District Court
- 12th Judicial District Court
- 13th Judicial District Court
SCREENING QUESTIONS ASKED TO ENTER COURTS AND JUDICIAL BUILDINGS
ORDERS OF THE COURT
- Order 20-8500-002 Precautionary Measures for Court Operations in the New Mexico Judiciary During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency [AMENDED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-006 AND THEN WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-13]
- Order 20-8500-003 Out-of-State Travel Restrictions for Judicial Officers and Employees of the New Mexico Judiciary During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency [ WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-023]
- Order 20-8500-04 Order for Temporary Case Management for Children’s Court Cases in the New Mexico Judiciary during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Order 20-8500-005 Additional Time to Pay Fines and Fees During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Order 20-8500-006 Additional Precautionary Measures for Court Operations – Amending Order 20-8200-002 [WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-013]
- Order 20-8500-007 Staying Execution of Writs of Restitution in Eviction Proceedings
- Order 20-8500-008 Staying Writs of Restitution under Mobile Home Park Act
- Order 20-8500-009 Stay of all Court Orders Requiring In-Person Visits Between Children in Custody of the Children, Youth and Families Department and Respondents Under the Abuse and Neglect Act [EXTENDED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-014 AND SUPPLEMENTED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-018]
- Order 20-8500-010 Amended Deadlines Under Rules 24-101 and 18-301 NMRA for the New Mexico Bar Dues and MCLE Delinquency and Administrative Suspension Processes During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Order 20-8500-011 – The Issuance of Law Licenses of Limited Duration to Applicants to the New Mexico Bar Certified for Admission by the New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Order 20-8500-012 Amendment of Certain Procedural Requirements For All Judicial Proceedings and Case Types During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency 4-10-20 [WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-025]
- Order 20-8500-013 Updated Precautionary Measures for Court Operations in the New Mexico Judiciary During the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency [AMENDED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-023 AND THEN WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-025]
- Order 20-8500-014 – Extension of the Stay of All Court Orders Requiring In-Person Visits Between Children in Custody of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department and Respondents Under the Abuse and Neglect Act
- Order 20-8500-015 – The Administration of the Bar Examination by the New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Order 20-8500-016 – Continuity of Court Operations During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Order 20-8500-017 – The Use of Protective Face Coverings in New Mexico Courts During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency [WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-025]
- Order 20-8500-018 – Requiring Visitation Between Children in Custody of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department and Respondents Under the Abuse and Neglect Act During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Order 20-8500-019 – Order Extending Time to Pay Certain Fines and Fees
- Order 20-8500-020 – Order Recommencing Jury Trials During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency [WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-025]
- Order 20-8500–021 – Stay of Issuance of Writs of Garnishment and Writs of Execution in Consumer Debt Collection Cases During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Order 20-8500-022 – Deadlines for Plea and Settlement Agreements in Criminal and Civil Cases Set for Trial During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency [WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ORDER NO. 20-8500-025]
- Withdrawn as per Order 20-8500-025 – Order 20-8500-023 – Precautionary Travel and Screening Protocols for Entry to New Mexico Courthouses During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Order 20-8500-024 – Discontinuing the use of CourtCall and Similar Services for All Court Proceedings
- Order 20-8500-025 – Order Adopting PHE Protocols for Safe and Effective Operation of New Mexico Courts
- Order 20-8500-034 – Amending the New Mexico Judiciary Public Health Emergency Protocols for the Safe and Effective Administration of the New Mexico Judiciary During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Order 20-8500-037 – Amending PHE Protocol No. 1 [As Amended by Order No. 20-8500-037]
- Order 20-8500-038 – Amending PHE Protocol No. 1 [As Amended by Order No. 20-8500-037]
- Order 20-8500-039 – Amending PHE Protocols Nos. 1, 2 and 3
- Order 20-8500-040 – Amending PHE Protocols Nos 1, 2 and 3
- Order 20-8500-041 – Withdrawing Prior SC Orders re: CYFD Visitation Orders During PHE
- Order 20-8500-042 – Amending PHE Protocols 1, 2, and 3
- Order 21-8500-003 – Amending PHE Protocols 1, 2, and 3 – Feb 12, 2021
- Order 21-8500-004 – Amending PHE Protocol 1 – Mar 12, 2021
- Order 21-8500-007 – Amending PHE Protocols – May 4, 2021
- Order 21-8500-008 – Amending PHE Protocols – May 21, 2021
- Order 21-8500-009 – Amending PHE Protocols – June 4, 2021
- Order 21-8500-015 and Amending PHE Protocols 29 Jun 21
- Order 21-8500-016 Amending PHE Protocol No. 1 July 16, 2021
- Order 21-8300-0004 – Adoption of New Rules 1-003.3 and 1-054.2 NMRA of the Rules of Civil Procedure for the district courts and civil forms 4-227 and 4-712 NMRA for Pre-filing and Pre-Judgement Requirements in Foreclosure Actions August 2, 2021
- Order 21-8500-018 – Lifting of Stays of the Issuance of Writs of Garnishment and Execution in Consumer Debt Collection Cases
- Order 21-8500-020 Amending PHE Protocol No. 1 August 9, 2021
- Order 21-8500-021 Amending PHE Protocols, August 23, 2021
- Order 21-8500-024 Amending PHE Protocols, October 29, 2021
- Order 21-8400-026 Backlog of Criminal Cases Caused by the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, November 2, 2021
- Order 22-8500-001 Lifting the Stay of Writs of Restitution Under the Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act and the Mobile Home Park Act during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency January 4, 2022
- Order 22-8500-003 – Amending PHE Protocol No. 1 to revise masking and test reporting requirements; Protocol No.3 to streamline processing of criminial cases during PHE, January 14, 2022
- Order No. 22-8500-007 (Order Suspending Peremptory Excusals in Criminal Cases Effective 2-1-22)
- Order 22-8500-012 – In the Matter of Lifting the Stay of Writs of Restitution Issued Under the Univorm Owner-Resident Relations Act and the Mobile Home Park Act During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, March 16, 2022
- Order No. 22-8500-018 and Protocols (Amending PHE Protocol Nos. 1, 2 & 3, effective March 24,2022
PRESS RELEASES
- New Mexico Judiciary changing mask requirements and ofther COVID-safe protocols at courthouses, February 28, 2022
- New Mexico courts implementing progam to prevent evictions, improve housing stability, January 4, 2022
- New Mexico Judiciary more than 70% fully vaccinated- June 7, 2021
- Press Release – Supreme Court suspends jury trials to help control the spread of COVID-19 – November 13, 2020
- Press Release – News release-Court establishes plea deadline before start of jury selection and bench trials – June 16, 2020
- Press Release – Supreme Court stops consumer debt collections orders during public health emergency – June 5,2020
- Press Release – Jury trials in criminal and civil cases to resume in New Mexico
- Press Release – People entering New Mexico courthouses required to wear a face covering – May 15, 2020
- Press Release – Magistrate Court in Gallup to remain closed for a week – May2, 2020
- Press Release – District Court in Gallup to remain open but Magistrate Court closed until Monday afternoon because of emergency restrictions in the community May 1, 2020
- Press Release – New Mexico postpones bar exam in July because of public health emergency – April 28,2020
- Press Release – Supreme Court extends suspension on jury trials in civil and criminal cases – April 17, 2020
- Press Release – Supreme Court suspends in-person CYFD family visits for 30 days
- Press Release – Eviction orders temporarily stayed for New Mexicans who prove they are unable to pay rent on a mobile home lot
- Press Release – Supreme Court Halts Eviction Notices in Landlord-tenant Cases
- Press Release – Supreme Court Implements Additional Precautions During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Press Release – Supreme Court Extends Payment of Fines and Fees for 30 Days
- Press Release – NM Courts Suspend New Criminal Jury Trials as Additional Precaution Measure Against Coronavirus
- Press Release – Judicial Officers and Employees Out-of-State Travel Restrictions
- Press Release – Courts to Remain Open but Steps Implemented to Minimize Public Health Risks from Coronavirus
JUDICIARY PANDEMIC POLICIES AND FORMS
New! As of November 17, 2021 – Returning to work for those who had COVID-19
COVID-19 Testing Resources for Judicial Entities and Employees Resources for Weekly Testing (1)
Contractor & Pro Tem Attestation of Vaccination and Negative Test
Policy – Pandemic, Communicable Disease Emergency, incl Pandemic Leave Rvd 1-15-2021 (2)
UPDATED May 15, 2020 – Telework Training Opportunities
Ergonomics for the Home or Virtual Office
Cleaning of Facilities
- NMJB Cleaning and Disinfecting Checklist
- New Mexico Department of Health Cleaning and Disinfection of Public Facilitiesin Response to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Court Visitor Team Checklist- Modified 20 Nov 20
Posters
