Eighth Judicial District Court
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About the Court
MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the Eighth Judicial District Court, statutorily created in Taos, Colfax, and Union counties, is to provide access to justice, resolve disputes justly and timely, and maintain accurate records of legal proceedings that affect rights and legal status of the parties in order to independently protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the constitution of New Mexico and the United States.
EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURTS
TAOS COUNTY COURTHOUSE
PHYSICAL AND MAILING ADDRESS:
105 Albright Street, Suite N
Taos, NM 87571
HOURS OF OPERATION:
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
open through the noon hour
PHONE: (575)758-3173
FAX: (575)751-1281
COLFAX COUNTY COURTHOUSE
PHYSICAL AND MAILING ADDRESS:
1413 South 2nd Street
Raton, NM 87740
HOURS OF OPERATION:
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
open through the noon hour
PHONE: (575)445-5584
FAX: (575)445-2626
UNION COUNTY COURTHOUSE
PHYSICAL AND MAILING ADDRESS:
100 Court Street, Suite 5
Clayton, NM 88415
HOURS OF OPERATION:
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
closed through the noon hour
PHONE: (575)374-9577
FAX: (575)374-2089
About the New Mexico State Courts
Map of the New Mexico State Courts
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court consists of five Justices and is located in Santa Fe. This is the court of last resort and has superintending control over all inferior courts and attorneys licensed in the state. This court has mandatory appellate jurisdiction over: criminal matters in which the sentence imposed is life in prison or the death penalty, appeals from the Public Regulation Commission, appeals from the granting of writs of habeas corpus, appeals in actions challenging nominations, and removal of public officials.
Discretionary jurisdiction
Denials of petitions for writ of habeas corpus, petitions for writ of certiorari to the Court of Appeals, other extraordinary writ matters, and certified questions either from the Court of Appeals or federal courts.
Court of Appeals
Ten judges preside, sitting in panels of three. The court has offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. This court has mandatory jurisdiction in: civil, non-capital criminal, juvenile cases; Discretionary jurisdiction in interlocutory decision cases and administrative agency appeals.
District Court
Eighty-nine judges preside. There are thirteen different districts. These are courts of general jurisdiction which hold jury trials. This court will hear these types of cases: Tort, contract, real property rights, estate. Exclusive domestic relations, mental health, appeals for administrative agencies and lower courts, miscellaneous civil jurisdiction; Misdemeanor. Exclusive criminal appeals jurisdiction; Exclusive juvenile jurisdiction.
Magistrate Court
Sixty-six judges preside. There are 54 magistrate courts. These are courts of limited jurisdiction. Jury trials. This court will hear these types of cases: Tort, contract, landlord/tenant rights ($0-10,000); Felony preliminary hearings; Misdemeanor, DWI/DUI and other traffic violations.
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
Bernalillo County is the only county in New Mexico with a Metropolitan Court. Nineteen judges preside. This is a court of limited jurisdiction. Jury trials. This court will hear these types of cases: Tort, contract, landlord/tenant rights ($0-10,000); Felony first appearances; Misdemeanor, DWI/DUI, Domestic Violence and other traffic violations.
Municipal Court
Eighty-two judges preside. There are eighty municipal courts. These are courts of limited jurisdiction. No jury trials. This court will hear these types of cases: Petty misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, traffic violations and other municipal ordinance violations.
Probate Court
Thirty-three judges. There are thirty-three counties. These are courts of limited jurisdiction. No jury trials. This court will hear these types of cases: Informal probate; Estate (Hears uncontested cases. Contested cases go to district court).