NEW MEXICO - STATE COURT ORGANIZATION PROFILE

• NCJ Number: 55153
• Author(s): B LINDSTROM-FURUTANI
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 83 pages
• Grant Number(s): 76-DF-99-0052; 76-DF-99-0026
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American Bar Association
• Sale Source: National Ctr for State Courts
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: STATE COURT ORGANIZATION PROFILE SERIES

Annotation

THIS REPORT, ONE IN A SERIES CONTAINING PROFILES OF NONFEDERAL COURT SYSTEMS, DESCRIBES THE ORGANIZATION OF STATE COURTS IN NEW MEXICO.

Abstract

ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN NEW MEXICO IS VESTED IN THE SUPREME COURT BY THE STATE CONSTITUTION. THE SUPREME COURT IS THE COURT OF LAST RESORT. THE COURT OF APPEALS IS THE INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT. IT HAS APPELLATE JURISDICTION OVER APPEALS, CIVIL ACTIONS BASED ON TORT, CRIMINAL ACTIONS AND POSTCONVICTION REMEDY PROCEEDINGS EXCEPT WHERE A SENTENCE OF DEATH OR LIFE IMPRISONMENT HAS BEEN IMPOSED BY THE DISTRICT COURT, MUNICIPAL OR COUNTY ORDINANCE CONVICTIONS WHERE FINE OR IMPRISONMENT IS IMPOSED, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY DECISIONS, AND ACTIONS RELATED TO ON-THE-JOB INJURIES. THE TRIAL COURT OF GENERAL JURISDICTION IS THE DISTRICT COURT AND HAS APPELLATE JURISDICTION OVER ALL CASES IN INFERIOR COURTS. IT HAS EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION IN MATTERS INVOLVING JUVENILES, DOMESTIC RELATIONS, AND CASES EXCEPTED IN THE CONSTITUTION OR BY LAW. LIMITED OR SPECIAL JURISDICTION COURTS IN THE STATE ARE MAGISTRATE, MUNICIPAL, PROBATE, AND SMALL CLAIMS COURTS. PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED: THE QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION, AND TERM OF THE JUDICIARY; THE DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL OF JUDGES; COMPENSATION; RETIREMENT AGE AND ACTIVE SERVICE; CONTINUING EDUCATION; AND THE USE OF PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS. THE DETAILED PROFILE OF THE COURT SYSTEM CONCERNS THE COURT OF LAST RESORT, INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURT, TRIAL COURTS OF GENERAL JURISDICTION, TRIAL COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION, JUDGES, PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS, NONJUDICIAL PERSONNEL, JUDICIAL POLICYMAKING AND ADVISORY BODIES, COURT ADMINISTRATION, COURT FINANCING, AND RECORDS AND STATISTICS. SOURCES OF INFORMATION USED TO PREPARE THE PROFILE ARE LISTED. ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS OF THE COURT SYSTEM ARE INCLUDED. DATA ON SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE NEW MEXICO COURT SYSTEM AND AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDARDS RELATING TO COURT ORGANIZATION ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)