New Mexico Court Case Lookup

In New Mexico, a Court Case refers to legal proceedings to settle disputes between two opposing parties or punish an offense committed by an individual. The New Mexico Court System include one federal District Court, the State Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and trial courts (District Courts, Probate Courts, Small Claims Courts, Municipal Courts, and Magistrate Courts).

The Magistrate Court has limited jurisdiction and handles cases such as traffic offenses, landlord-tenant disputes up to $10,000, and preliminary hearings in felony cases. The Municipal Courts hear cases relating to minor misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and violations of municipal ordinances.
The District Court is a court with general jurisdiction. It has the authority to decide all civil and criminal cases not exempted by judicial order. District Court Judges are elected for a 6-year term. There are 94 judges spread across the 13 judicial districts in New Mexico, and every county has its district court.
The State Court of Appeals reviews most of the criminal appeals, appeals from some State agency decisions, tort claims, workmen's compensation appeals, and appeals of probate matters. The Court of Appeals is made up of 10 judges who decide cases in three-judge panels.
The New Mexico Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and consists of five judges authorized to review decisions of the Court of Appeals as well as the decisions of the District Court.

New Mexico also has certain other courts that handle specialized cases. These courts include the New Mexico Probate Courts, the New Mexico Workers' Compensation Administration Court, and the New Mexico Problem-Solving Courts.

The Probate Courts handle matters related to wills, trusts, and other estate issues. The Workers' Compensation Administration Court reviews workers' compensation issues. The Problem-Solving Courts help people convicted of drug-related crimes and domestic disputes abstain from substance abuse and other harmful behaviors.

Persons interested in looking up a New Mexico Court Case typically begin by identifying the court where the case was filed and adjudicated. Specifically, inquiries go to the Clerk’s Office at these courts, as they are the statutory record custodians. The contact information for accessing New Mexico courts can be sourced from the website of the Judicial Branch. Likewise, the state court Map displays the judicial districts and physical locations of courts in New Mexico.

After locating the court with the desired information, the requester can then submit a written request to the court Clerk's Office. Requests are to be made in person, by mail, or by filling out an IPRA request form online. The request form should include the case number and the names of the parties involved in the case to make the search process easy. It is important to note that there are fees attached to obtaining copies of court case records in New Mexico. The state permits court clerks to charge fees for issuing copies and certifying court records:

A fee of $0.50 per page for photocopies of court records
A fee of $1.00 per page for electronically transferred copies of court records
An additional $0.50 per page for certified copies of court records
A fee of $5.00 per CD for a copy of a court hearing

To submit an IPRA request form for appellate court case records, an inquirer can contact the Supreme Court Clerk at:

Supreme Court of New Mexico
P.O. Box 848
Santa Fe, NM 87504–0848
Phone: (505) 827-4860
Email: nmsupremecourtclerk@nmcourts.gov
Hours: 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Mondays to Fridays

The Court Clerk of the New Mexico Court of Appeals can also be contacted using the information below:

Supreme Court Building
237 Don Gaspar, Room 116
Santa Fe, NM 87501
P.O. Box 2008
Santa Fe, NM 87504-2008
Phone: (505) 827-4925
Fax: (505) 827-4946
Hours: 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Mondays to Fridays

Are Court Cases Public Record in New Mexico?

Yes, in New Mexico Court Cases are public records as per The New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) and the Open Meetings Act (OMA). The law allows all interested individuals access to inspect court records for free. The agencies responsible for maintaining these records are allowed to provide copies of the records to inquirers at a cost. Nevertheless, IPRA exempts court records containing sensitive information from public perusal. Generally, these include:

Medical Records
Letters of Reference
Matters of Opinions
Law Enforcement Records
Confidential Materials Act
Public Hospital Records
Tactical Response Plans
Protected Personal Identification Information such as Social security number and address

Can I Get New Mexico Court Case Documents Online?

Yes, interested individuals can access New Mexico Court Case documents online. The Judicial Branch of New Mexico provides online access to members of the public through the New Mexico Courts CaseLookup and the Secured Odyssey Public Access (SOPA). Inquirers can access records by carrying out searches on these platforms using the case number or the names of the persons involved in the case. They can also be used to retrieve the case number assigned to court cases in situations where the case number is unknown.

CaseLookup does not require any registration to use it. Requesters who seek access to records before 1997 on CaseLookup can do so by completing an online request.

SOPA, on the other hand, requires an application process for inquirers to gain access to case information. In line with the various restrictions placed on public access to certain cases by law, case information provided in SOPA is divided into three tiers with corresponding levels of access. The tiers are defined as follows:

Tier 1: Cases including most civil, probate, domestic relations, and criminal case types.
Tier 2: Cases in Tier 2 include delinquency proceedings in Children’s Court and criminal proceedings that involve Domestic Violence.
Tier 2.5: Cases in Tier 2.5 are subject to strict confidentiality protections and include proceedings under the Abuse and Neglect Act, the Families in Need of Court-Ordered Services Act, adoption proceedings, and mental health proceedings. Only Law Enforcement Officers are allowed to view these cases.

The applicant requesting access to use SOPA must apply to obtain login credentials before using the website. Only one application is permitted per email, as each applicant will be assigned a unique login. Also, copies of most court documents filed in New Mexico federal courts from December 1, 2003, are electronically accessible to individuals via the PACER service.

How to Conduct a New Mexico Court Search by Name

In New Mexico, a Court Search by name entails that the inquirer must have the full name of one or both parties involved in the case. The individual in need of the records can then conduct a search in person at the Clerk's office of the court that filed or heard the case. Requests can also be sent to the clerk via mail with the names of the persons involved in the case attached.

Requesters can also make use of the online options provided by the court and make use of the name search feature available on such websites. Individuals interested in conducting a New Mexico Court Case search by name should note that there are charges attached to obtaining copies of these records.

What is a Court Case Number?

A Court Case number is an identifier attached to filed cases by the court Clerk's Office. Although it is referred to as a number, it is usually made up of alphabets, characters, and numbers. The case number is usually attached to all documents relating to the filed case and serves as a means of distinguishing cases as they proceed through the court system. In New Mexico, case numbers attached to appellate court cases usually have four parts indicating the type of court, court location code, case category, and sequence. Court case numbers from other trial courts have five parts representing the type of court, court location code, case category, the year of filing, and the sequence.

How to Conduct a Case Number Search in New Mexico

Interested persons can conduct a case number search in New Mexico by visiting the court Clerk's Office in person with the case number and obtaining records filed under it. In events where the case number is not known, the inquirer can submit the full name of the parties involved and retrieve the case number. Inquirers can also make use of CaseLookup, SOPA, or PACER to conduct a case number search online.

How to Remove Court Cases From Public Record in New Mexico

Expungement removes court case records from public access and online sources, such as the New Mexico Courts website, corrections, or law enforcement websites. Once a record is expunged, the petitioner may deny the existence of such records when asked if the record exists, with some exceptions. New Mexico law allows most juvenile records to be sealed two years after the probation, or sentence ends.

On the 1st of January, 2020, the new Criminal Records Expungement Act, and Rule 10.2.2 NMAC Expungement of Arrest Records and Related Public Records were enacted. The Act permits an eligible individual to petition a court for the expungement of several criminal and related public records. An individual can apply for expungement of a conviction only after they have completed the previous sentence and paid all fines or fees attached to that conviction. The Judge granting the order for expungement will consider if:

Other charges or proceedings are pending against the applicant
Justice will be served by an order to expunge
Victim restitution for the previous sentence ordered by the court has been met
The time frame between the previous conviction and the request for expungement
The applicant has been convicted of any other crime during the waiting period.

The following records are eligible for expungement:

Criminal records of victims of identity theft or mistaken identity.
Cases that resulted in a non-conviction, including conditional discharge, pre-prosecution diversion, nolle, acquittals, etc.;
Municipal ordinance or misdemeanor conviction records
Misdemeanour aggravated battery or a 4th-degree felony conviction
First, Second and Third-degree felony conviction records
Conviction records under the Crimes Against Household Members

The following types of records cannot be expunged:

Civil Cases
Convictions for an offense against a child
Convictions for an offense resulting in great bodily harm or death of another person
Specific sex offenses
Embezzlement convictions
Driving under the influence convictions.

Waiting periods can apply depending on the conviction, if:

A conviction for a municipal ordinance or most misdemeanors requires a waiting period of two years after the completion of the sentence
Misdemeanour aggravated battery or a fourth-degree felony has a period of four years after the completion of the sentence attached
Third-degree and Second-degree felonies need a waiting period of six and eight years respectively after the completion of the previous sentence
A first-degree felony or any offense in the Crimes Against Household Members Act requires a waiting period of 10 years after the completion of the sentence.

The steps to apply for the expungement of records are:

Review District Court Rule 1.077-1
Collate the appropriate forms and records such as the District Court Expungement Forms, The New Mexico Courts IPRA, etc
If required, obtain RAP sheets from the FBI for a fee
File the petition with the district court where the case was decided in person
Pay the $132.00 fee. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, cashier’s checks, or money orders. There is also an option to apply for a fee waiver so that the applicant can apply for free
Serve a copy of the petition to the Department of Public Safety and the District Attorney.

After filing a Petition, the court then sets a hearing date and has 30 days to decide whether to grant or deny such a petition.

How to Check a Court Case Status in New Mexico

Requestors can check a court case status in New Mexico by visiting the court Clerk's Office in person with the case number or party name and access records filed under it. Inquirers can also make use of CaseLookup, SOPA, or PACER to verify the status of a court case online.

How to Find Supreme Court Decisions in New Mexico

The Supreme Court of New Mexico usually files opinions on Mondays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Interested individuals can find recent Supreme Court opinions on the New Mexico Compilation Commission website. Press releases issued by the Administrative Office of the Courts concerning recent Supreme Court opinions can also be accessed online.

These Opinions can be retrieved in person or via mail from the Clerk of the Supreme Court at:

Supreme Court of New Mexico
P.O. Box 848
Santa Fe, NM 87504–0848
Phone: (505) 827-4860
Email: nmsupremecourtclerk@nmcourts.gov
Hours: 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Mondays to Fridays

What Percentage of Court Cases Go to Trial in New Mexico?

According to the New Mexico Judiciary annual report, criminal cases went to trial at a rate of about 60 percent in 2019, with 52 percent resulting in a jury conviction and 16 percent in acquittal. The rate of trials in 2017 was 53 percent. These statistics show that in New Mexico, a large portion of filed cases makes it to trial.

How Long Does a Court Case Last in New Mexico?

The length of a case is usually measured from the time of filing to the date the case is resolved or disposed of and it is dependent on many factors. However, cases on the summary calendar usually take an average of five to six months from submission to decision. Complex cases usually take longer time than less complex ones. For instance, a misdemeanor case can take about two to six months to resolve while a minor felony could last for about six months to one year without a trial. A major felony on the other hand can last for over a year before it is resolved.

How to File a Case in Court in New Mexico

Filing a case simply means submitting relevant documents in court to commence legal action against a person. In New Mexico, the plaintiff, petitioner, or prosecutor is in charge of filing a complaint with the appropriate court depending on the type of case. The person being sued is referred to as the defendant or respondent. Both parties involved in a case must be 18 years and above.

To file a complaint, the individual must first fill out a complaint form. This form can be submitted either in person at the Clerk's Office or online depending on what is obtainable at the court. There are charges attached to filing a complaint in court. The plaintiff after filing a case is required to serve the defendant copies of the petition within a specific time and submit proof of service to the court Clerk's Office. The defendant is liable to receive default judgment if he fails to respond to the summons in time. If there is no activity on a case within the space of six months, the court can dismiss such a case.

What Does It Mean if a Court Case Was Resolved Before the Trial Date?

A court case resolved before the trial date simply means the case was resolved or disposed of for reasons other than a trial process. This can happen if the parties involved in a civil case settle outside of court or if an offender charged with breaking the law opts for a plea bargain. A party or both parties can request for the case to be dismissed before the trial date for various reasons such as avoiding court expenses. A court can also decide to dismiss a case before the trial date as a means of punishing a misdemeanor from one or both parties involved. The alternative resolution methods used in New Mexico include Mediation and Arbitration.