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New 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)

Notice of Security Screening and Personal Property Policy

The Third Judicial District Court and the Dona Ana County Magistrate Court will implement the following Security Screening and Personal Property Policy. This policy is aimed to enhance the safety of all courthouse employees, jurors, attorneys, courtroom workgroups, and the general public, which have business to conduct at in either Courthouse…

Third Judicial District Court

Welcome to the Third Judicial District Court which encompasses Doña Ana County, in the state of New México. Click on the PHOTO for a map of the State Judicial Districts.

Have you been summoned for jury duty?

As a juror you will play a significant role in ensuring that justice is carried out fairly and impartially. Click on JURY INFORMATION or the PHOTO.

Are you representing yourself, without a lawyer?

The Self-Help Program (Pro Se) can assist you. Click on SELF HELP or the PHOTO for more information.

Drug Court Programs

Adult, Juvenile and Family Reunification Drug Court Programs are an alternative to incarceration and give significant community service. Please click on the PHOTO or PROGRAMS, then on PROBLEM SOLVING COURTS to find the three Drug Courts.

Have you deposited a cash bail bond? You may be entitled to a cash refund under certain conditions.

Click on CASH BOND REFUNDS under Services page or the PHOTO for information.

News Releases:

Third Judicial District Court Investiture Ceremony

Third Judicial District Court Chief Judge – New Term

Dona Ana County Anthony Magistrate Court New Location

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

– THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COVID-19 TRANSITIONAL PLAN FOR HOLDING TRIALS ON AND AFTER MARCH 21, 2022

– 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 Conrad F. Perea 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.

Important Notice to Jurors:

Be Aware: The Court’s policy is not to contact prospective or active jurors to request personal information such as social security or credit card numbers.

District Court Daily Jury Duty Schedule:

THIS IS A MESSAGE TO MEMBERS OF THE JURY.
PLEASE BE ADVISED, A NOTIFICATION FOR JURY SERVICE FOR THE MONTH OF MAY WILL BE SENT ELECTRONICALLY THRU EMAIL OR TEXT NOTIFICATION. 
PLEASE REVIEW YOUR SUMMONS OR CONTACT THE JURY DIVISION FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. 
THANK YOU!

Magistrate Court Daily Jury Duty Schedule:

Jury information for the Dona Ana county Magistrate  Court.  The court will send out electronic notifications  throughout the month notifying jurors when to report for jury duty.

Any questions please contact the Magistrate court 575-524-9271.

Thank you!

Contact Information

Address

201 W. Picacho Ave.
Las Cruces, NM 88005

Main phone number

575-523-8200

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.

ADA Accommodations

The Third Judicial District Court will make all reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services and activities.  Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a service, program, or activity of the Third Judicial District Court should contact its ADA Coordinator, Jodie Delgado, at (575) 528-8382 or by email: 3rdada@nmcourts.gov as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.

Request for ADA Accommodation Form.

Grievance Procedure.

Notice of Non-Discrimination.

 

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.