Third Judicial District Court
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ANNOUNCEMENTS:
– THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COVID-19 TRANSITIONAL PLAN FOR HOLDING TRIALS AFTER JULY 1, 2020
– COVID-19 Jury Trial Setup (Protocol)
– News Release – Third District Visitation Recommendations
– COVID-19 Access Press Release
To all court visitors: consistent with the Governor’s order, starting Monday, May 18th, 2020 everyone entering the courthouse must wear a mask. Unfortunately, the court does not have adequate resources/supplies to provide one to the public therefore the court urges everyone to wear their own mask.
The 3rd Judicial District Court will be performing pre-screenings of court visitors. Per Supreme Court Order 20-8500-002, the court shall screen visitors to the courthouse and deny access to any juror, witness, attorney, litigant, or other person who (1) reports a fever, cough or shortness of breath that has developed in the past 14 days, (2) reports travel in the past 14 days to a high risk area as defined by the NM Department of Health, or (3) reports a diagnosis, or close contact with anyone who has a diagnosis of a COVID-19 infection. To reduce the number of persons in the court building, the 3rd Judicial Court is accepting filings by email or by fax. For more information, please call 575-523-8200.
Welcome to Third Judicial District Court
ANNOUNCEMENT
PLEASE NOTE- the Third Judicial District Court and the Dona Ana Magistrate Court WILL REMAIN OPEN during the COVID-19 Emergency. We are asking individuals not to come to the courts if they have traveled to a high-risk area or are displaying symptoms of COVID-19. If you are scheduled to appear in court but are at risk as described above, you must call the court at the numbers listed below.
DISTRICT COURT: (575)523-8200
MAGISTRATE COURT: (575)524-2814
The Third Judicial District Court is a state court of general jurisdiction located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Court encompasses the same geographic area as Dona Ana County. It is bordered by the Twelfth Judicial District (Otero and Lincoln Counties), the Sixth Judicial District (Luna, Grant and Hildago Counties) and the Seventh Judicial District (Sierra, Catron and Socorro Counties). See a map of the state Judicial Districts.
The Court has jurisdiction over criminal cases, domestic relations (divorce, child support and custody, domestic violence), probate cases, children’s court (abuse and neglect of children, juvenile delinquency, adoptions) and all general civil cases (auto accidents, contract disputes, real property disputes, violation of civil rights). There are eight District Court Judges, one Child Support Hearing Officer and one part-time Domestic Violence Special Commissioner, who hear cases. Please see the Judges page for more information.
Chief Judge Manuel I. Arrieta is the Administrative Authority of the Court. He is assisted by the Court Executive Officer, who is the Clerk of the Court.
Mission of the Court
The Third Judicial District Court has two related but distinct functions:
First: The Court delivers speedy, accurate, impartial, and legally correct decisions and judgments to resolve legal disputes between and among individuals, private organizations, business entities, and State and local government.
The Court carries out this core constitutional function through a variety of means including jury trials, bench trials, treatment Court programs, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution.
The Court strives for accessibility to all persons and entities whether represented by counsel or pro se (where that is authorized) while adhering closely to the principles of due process and equal protection of the law.
Second: The Court maintains current, accurate and readily accessible records of every case brought before it. Such records are maintained with strict adherence to the statutes and Court rules that govern the creation and maintenance of such public and nonpublic records.
Finally: In all that it does, the Court makes efficient use of all public resources provided to it by the citizens and residents of the State of New Mexico and is accountable at all times to the public through its representatives for the use of those resources.
Courthouse Security and Protocol
All persons entering the Third Judicial District Courthouse are subject to security screenings. No weapons of any kind (including penknives on key chains) are permitted in the building. There are no cellphones, smart watches, purses, food, and beverages permitted in the Courthouse.
Parties are expected to act and dress appropriately in Court. Shorts, flip flops, tank tops, ball caps and sunglasses should not be worn in the Courtrooms. Parties should refrain from chewing gum while their case is being litigated. Use of tobacco products is prohibited inside the Courthouse.
District Court Daily Jury Duty Schedule
Magistrate Court Daily Jury Duty Schedule: Please Call 575-524-9271 after 5:30 P.M.
Contact Information
Address
201 W. Picacho Ave.
Las Cruces, NM 88005
Main phone number
Hours of Operation
Effective December 21, 2020, the Courthouse will be closing at 4:00 p.m. We are therefore open for limited in-person matters from 8:00 to 4:00 p.m., including the noon hour.
Please contact the following BEFORE coming into the Courthouse, as we may be able to assist you over the phone:
Clerk’s office – 575-528-8316 (information about your case)
Jury Division – 575-528-8308 (information about jury service)
Self-Help Division – 575-528-8399 (information about pro se forms, steps and process).
The holiday calendar can be found here.
Reminders of when the court will be closed are posted at the main entrance and other locations in the court as a public service.
Financial Transactions
Routine financial transactions can only be made until 4 p.m. daily. No financial transactions are accepted after 4 p.m. except in emergencies which affect someone bonding out of jail or other such critical matter.
Third Judicial District Court Website Disclaimer
This website was created by the Third Judicial District Court solely as a public service. The Court does not warrant the accuracy of the information displayed by this website nor is it responsible for any errors or omissions and assumes no liability for its use, availability or compatibility with website users’ software or computers. This information is by necessity general in nature and is not intended as legal advice, but rather information which may be useful in understanding how courts in New Mexico operate. For legal advice, you should contact a lawyer.