The Chief District Judge is the Administrative Authority of the Court.

The duties and responsibilities of the Chief Judge are found in Rule 23-109 (B) of the New Mexico Supreme Court General Rules:  

“Duties and Responsibilities. The chief judge of each judicial district and each metropolitan court district shall have the administrative responsibility for that judicial district or metropolitan court and shall:   

1. administer established policy concerning the court’s internal operations;
2. call and preside over regular and special meetings of the judges;
3. appoint standing and special committees as may be advisable to assist in the proper performance of the duties and functions of the court;
4. designate one of the judges to act in the chief judge’s absence or inability to act;
5. exercise responsibility as the administrative authority in accordance with the provisions of law and the New Mexico Judicial Branch Personnel Rules and ensure the enforcement of those rules;
6. exercise general supervision, coordination and direction of business of the court;
7. supervise performance of the court’s administrative office;
8. supervise court finances, including financial planning and preparation and presentation of court budgets;
9. coordinate the use of space, equipment and facilities of the court;
10. assign, reassign or consolidate cases among the several judges as equitably as possible. Except with respect to specialty courts consisting of a single judge, cases shall be assigned by random selection designed so that each judge will receive substantially the same number and type of cases. If a judge is unable to administer the cases assigned to such judge within a reasonable time, or if there are other justifiable reasons, the chief judge, in consultation with the other judges, may reassign cases to other judges within the district;
11. have published for general distribution copies of a current calendar setting forth the judicial assignments of the judges, the times and places assigned for hearing court matters, and any special calendaring requirement deemed necessary by the chief judge;
12. prepare an orderly plan of vacations for all court personnel, and for attendance at schools, conferences and workshops for judges and other court personnel;
13. provide an orientation program for new judges as soon as possible after their election or appointment;
14. provide for liaison between the court and other governmental or civic agencies;
15. when appropriate, meet with or designate a judge or judges to meet with committees of the bench, bar, news media or community to review problems and to promote understanding of the administration of justice;
16. oversee juror management;
17. implement and monitor compliance with all policies, rules and regulations issued by the supreme court;
18. perform such other administrative and substantive functions as are necessary for the efficient operations of the court on a day-to-day basis.”