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New Mexico Judiciary Annual Report 2020 On the Cover Photo Credit: Beth Wojahn, Commnications Officer, AOC Acknowledgments: This report was prepared with special assistance from AOC staff, court personnel and judges across the state. Graphics: Beth Wojahn and Helen Gaussoin Editors: Barry Massey, Jeffrey Young and Beth Wojahn Statistical Addendum: Joseph Vigil, Judicial Information Division Contents

1 Message from the Chief Justice 9 Court of Appeals 2 Message from the Director 12 District Courts 3 State of the Judiciary 26 Metropolitan Court 5 By the Numbers 27 Magistrate Courts 6 COVID-19 Public Health Emergency 28 Court Operations 7 Supreme Court 29 Programs

PROGRAMS 29 Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship 35 Judicial Information Division 29 Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission 36 Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission 31 Children’s Court Improvement Commission 37 Jury Services 31 Children’s Court Mediation Program 37 Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative 32 Commission on Access to Justice 38 Language Access Services 32 Court Appointed Attorney Fund 39 Magistrate Court Mediation Program 33 Court Appointed Special Advocates 39 New Mexico Compilation Commission 33 Domestic Violence 40 Problem Solving Courts 34 Family Advocacy Program 41 Safe Exchange and Supervised Visitation 35 Human Resources Division 41 Tribal-State Judicial Consortium

About this report The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is required by a summary of statistical data for New Mexico’s appellate, law to submit an annual report to the New Mexico Supreme district, metropolitan and magistrate courts. Court and the Legislature. NMSA 1978, § 34-9-3.This report Find this report, as well as the complete Statistical is an overview of the Judiciary’s accomplishments during the Addendum, at www.nmcourts.gov. 2020 fiscal year (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020) and includes Message from Chief Justice Michael E. Vigil for theRecruitment andRetention initiatives: theAd HocCommittee committees to address access to justice establishedthefollowingCourt dispute resolution, ande-filing. The online pretrial e-payment, services, areas,number ofimportant including Branch continued to make stridesina Despite thepandemic, theJudicial to meetincreased demands. and employees astheywork even harder cannot beprouder ofourjudicialofficers trialswhennecessary. in-person jury We to remote proceedings andholding by defaulting public healthemergency evolved andadapted to thecurrent and closedoutover 179,000cases. We handled more than149,000newcases magistrate, andmetropolitan courts From March through November, district, courageously carriedouttheirduties. and risked exposure to COVID-19, but safety measuresendured precautionary andtheirstaff during 2020,courts providers responders andemergency many essential service many essential service Annual Report. Like Annual Report. Branch’s 2020 with theJudicial present you pleased to Justice, Iam As Chief 1 all NewMexicans. justice access formeaningful to impartial to fulfillourshared mission to provide branches ofgovernment aswe strive forward to withtheother working Branch isfundedadequately. We look asintended iftheJudicial only function closures. constitutional Our system can andcourt offurloughs the necessity that without theyneedanddeserve, citizens withallthejudicialservices seeksto continue providingthe Judiciary shown theJudiciary. fiscal In year 2022, Governor Lujan Michelle Grishamhas that theLegislaturethe support and The JudicialBranch isgrateful for are going. done infiscal year 2021andwhere we explain what wewe have willfurther andfollowingState pages, ofJudiciary inequities inourjustice system. the In to studyissues related to biasand a Commission andJustice onEquity in NewMexico. alsoformedThe Court Feasibility ofLicensed Legal Technicians the Ad HocCommittee to Study the Navigatorthe Court Committee; and of Attorneys for Rural NewMexico; Message from Administrative Office of the Courts Director Arthur W. Pepin 2 folks to to folks the maintain appropriate minimum physical six-foot new are distance and not fun additions taxing work the already to every accomplish day. these employees the folks It is also important recognize to Division and in the Judicial Information specialists in our courtsthe technology support and provide up to who stepped use we changes in how generational work. our accomplish to technology of the the genius luck and through With should all be we best scientists, world’s summer and 2021 will before vaccinated than if less stressful, be as productive, up the please keep then, 2020. Until least mask, at your stay work, wear great apart,six feet and be home as much as the to return can safely we possible until we social interactions friendly and joyful all miss now. I salute all our court employees and all our courtI salute employees judicial line” “front especially the juryspecialists, and others managers, who still serve the public face-to-face, work of our employees as many even locations. home or other remote from constantly a mask all day, Wearing and endlessly reminding hands, washing We all recognize that 2020 was a year a year 2020 was that all recognize We times the pandemic At no other. like overwhelmability to our threatened health the ever-advancing adjust to to in this Annual detailed As emergency. been slowed Report, have may while we conduct to times and challenged at always our courtsbusiness, have Adoptions, open and safe. remained business criminal cases, divorces, and the whole gamut of disputes – everything orders writs, motions, – justice accomplish to existing In a very shortcontinued. time and with courts to pivoted remarkable resilience, found that environment “virtual” a new, screens, through all of us communicating unpleasant those in line for waiting and learning about tests, (negative!) and business travel, social, the newest restrictions. State of the Judiciary orders willalsofail. judiciary.functioning Agovernment thatcan’t enforce itsown lawsand No democracy, for thatmatter, orsociety can withoutafully survive courthouse andfor greatercourthouse efficiency. to avoid filingpaperdocuments at the from civilcasesto includecriminalcases Electronic filinghasbeen expanded E-Filing inCriminalCases machines for thosewhocome to court. also expanded theiruseofe-payment able to doinmagistrate Courts courts. asthepublichasbeen court, in district obligations to online payability court haveCourts expanded thepublic’s PaymentsOnline coronavirus. themselves andthepublicsafe from the whilekeeping open andfunctioning to thiscrisisby keeping thecourts gone beyond to respond thecallofduty clerks, administrators, andstaffhave to thepandemic. NewMexico judges, Response Emergency Team to respond administrative orders andformed an Supreme issuednumerous Court providers.as essential service The Branch recognized alljudicialemployees From thebeginning, theExecutive has beenthecoronavirus pandemic. oftheJudiciary’sOne mainchallenges COVID-19 Response What have we doneinfiscal year 2020 (July 1,2019-June 30, 2020) Court’s criminalbench thispastyear Moran joinedthe Second JudicialDistrict and Clara left, Solimon, Judges Lucy 3 remotely links. by audio-visual with appropriate physical distancingor appear public asjustices andparties access to interested andthe parties in highprofile cases, providing online Supreme live Court streamed hearings or ontheirpersonaldevices. The proceedings from remote courtrooms allows thepublicandpress to watch andmagistrate proceedingsdistrict court For thefirsttimeever, videostreaming of Video Streaming courthouses. questions andprovide information at free avatar, was introduced to answer a multilingual, interactive, hands- have interpreters. courtroom “Clara,” lower costs andmeettheneedto Video now provide languageservices Language Access Services predictable. justice isfaster, lessexpensive, andmore a mediator whenneeded. Access to and negotiate settlements, assisted by cases to fileand respond to claimsonline defendants inlandlord-tenant anddebt ODR now allows plaintiffs and Dispute Resolution(ODR)Online to seekinformation.courthouse warrants, reducing theneedto goto the with citations, summonsesand cases,about services, andcompliance information inEnglishandSpanish was also establishedto provide basic citations. callcenter Acustomer service have enter at clerks thecourthouse traffic citations, reducingtheneed to A centralized team now enters certain Centralized ofServices Delivery Chief Justice Michael E. Chief Justice Michael Vigil State of the Judiciary Ana, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna counties. counties. Hidalgo and Luna Grant, Ana, year funding in fiscal requested With Judiciary2022 the state’s can build the judges with reliable capacity provide to of flightrisk defendant’s a about evidence pretrial during the reoffend and risk to as services as well to period if released, pretrial the public through risks to reduce services in additional counties. Summit Health Behavioral Mexico New JudiciaryThe host in to is planning October New Mexico the first ever 2021 court and improve to summit on how those with to communityresponses will bring event The illness. mental experts state and national with together court personnel and community officials. Equity and on Justice Commission a Court Supreme created The that on Equity and Justice Commission recommendations will study and make bias and eliminating to on issues related and system justice inequities in the state’s among judges and diversity promoting educational through judicial employees opportunities. and professional Gap Justice to Access Address JudiciaryThe will study the potential of the following implementation and retaining recruiting (1) programs: to the dedicated attorneys qualified delivery of legal services New rural to pilot (2) a courtMexico; navigator person-to-person direct, provide to litigants; self-represented to assistance provide to non-lawyers and (3) licensing legal serviceslimited in New Mexico. Redesign Website Public will be undergoing In 2021, NMCourts.gov available court make changes to resources the to accessible pages more on website public and user friendly.

Criminal Pretrial Release Criminal Pretrial improve to continues New Mexico protect better practices to pretrial the fairness to bring more public safety, and promote system, criminal justice With dollars. use of taxpayer the efficient during of NCIC resources the acquisition unit risk assessment 2020, the centralized information judges with verified provides flee risk to defendant’s about a pretrial services Pretrial programs or reoffend. San Juan Bernalillo, in available are — supplying counties and Sandoval and release judges for to information decisions and monitoring detention court future help ensure to defendants year 2021, During fiscal appearances. Doña into is expanding the initiative Decreasing BacklogsDecreasing year fiscal for backlogs anticipated With 2021, the Judiciary will study further dispute of alternative enhancements weeks” “settlement programs, resolution courts on settling cases, where focus other and bench trials, promoting of matters. speedy resolution Where we are going in fiscal years 2021 and 2022 and 2022 2021 years in fiscal going are we Where and Funding Securing Adequate Resources needed resources the Anticipating public health emergencyduring a is not a perfunctoryyear 2021, In fiscal exercise. the Judiciary need supplemental may funding as case backlogs and filings in landlord-tenant such as certainareas, increase, to predicted are and debt cases, assist in judges to tem pro requiring year 2022, fiscal For caseloads. managing thethe Judiciary is seeking restore to budgetary cuts made during the 2020 session, fully fund first special legislative created Legislature judgeships the five the ability manage to in 2020, and have when the Currently, its unified budget. them it looks to imposes cuts, Legislature on a district-by-district which may basis, they are not be proportionate or where needed most). The Judiciary’s general fund operating budget reached pre-recession levels budget totaled $182.9 million in the for the first time in a decade after 2020 fiscal year, which ended June adjusting for inflation. The purchasing 30, 2020. The budget for all of state power of the Judiciary’s FY20 budget government, including public education, slightly exceeded the inflation-adjusted was $7.1 billion in FY20. appropriation for the court system in the 2009 fiscal year, when lawmakers began The unified judicial budget grew by trimming the state’s budget over several 7.7%, or $13 million, from the fiscal years to cope with shrinking tax revenue year 2019 operating budget. With the because of the recession. additional funding, the Judiciary’s

FY20 State General Fund Budget New Mexico Judiciary $7.1 Billion FY20 Operating Budget

Other Medicaid 18% 15% Compilation Commission 0.3% District Courts Judiciary 58.4% 2.6%

Public Administrative Office of the Courts Safety 20.5% 7%

Higher Education Court of Appeals 12% Public 3.6% Schools 46% Supreme Court Metropolitan Court 3.5% 13.8%

Judiciary Funding Rebounds to Pre-Recession Levels After Adjusting for Inflation (millions of dollars) By the Numbers By

$181.2 $182.9 $151.6

FY09 GF after reductions FY09 adjusted for inflation to FY20 OpBud 2020 buying power

5 COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY Judiciary’s Response to the Pandemic All plans address how dockets are managed and scheduled, and how and where jury trials will Within 24 hours of the governor’s declaration of a public resume. Each court’s plan includes how they health emergency in New Mexico, the Supreme Court minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for all who issued its own administrative orders to ensure courts enter courthouses and judicial buildings through remained open while also promoting public health and adherence of safety protocols such as temperature safety by following the latest public health guidance. checks and screening questions at front doors, >2,500 Estimated number of hours by the physical distancing, installing plexiglass where Supreme Court’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) necessary, wearing proper masks and disinfecting developing and enforcing safety protocols and high-touch surfaces. answering COVID-19-related questions. Administrative Orders Resumption plans approved by the ERT and the Since the pandemic began, the Court has issued more Court’s orders for COVID precautionary measures than two dozen orders to implement COVID-safe are available on the Judiciary’s website: https:// procedures in courts and modify judicial practices during the pandemic: www.nmcourts.gov/covid-19.aspx. • Suspended civil and criminal jury trials with remote • Consulted with NMDOH and HSD to develop and hearings as the presumption. implemented policies necessary to ensure safe • Limited the number of people who could gather in judicial facilities. courtrooms and other locations inside courthouses. • Suspended peremptory excusals. • Responded to hundreds of COVID-19-related questions from the Judiciary. • Authorized remote appearances and telework. • Allowed self-represented litigants to file by email • Provided necessary signage and supplies to courts and fax. and judicial facilities – masks, hand and surface sanitizers, and juror supplies. • Restricted out-of-state travel for judicial officers and employees. Through the careful work of district, magistrate, and • Paused evictions for tenants who prove their inability metropolitan courts, the courts have remained open to to pay rent. administer justice during the pandemic. • Suspended debt collection orders to protect New Mexicans from having their wages withheld and assets seized to repay creditors during the pandemic. • Required everyone in the courthouse to wear masks or face coverings and go through two-part screening. Emergency Response Team Also since the beginning of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Supreme Court has provided a coordinated judicial branch response through creation of its Emergency Response Team. Highlights include:

• Carefully reviewed and approved reduced operation Chief Justice Michael E. Vigil and members of the Emergency plans and plans to resume in-person proceedings for Response Team regularly meet with chief judges to discuss 13 Judicial Districts, Bernalillo County Metropolitan updates and changes to COVID-19 policy and protocols and to Court, 81 municipal courts, and 33 probate courts. answer questions. 6 Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court for the State of New Mexico. It is the final authority on questions of law and can review decisions of the Court of Appeals as well as district courts. Appeals in capital criminal cases, Public Regulation Commission decisions and election challenges go directly to the Court. The Supreme Court determines the rules of practice and Chief Justice Michael E. Vigil takes the oath of office as his wife holds the Bible at his remotely conducted investiture. procedure for the state bar and all state courts. It exercises supervisory control over state courts in New Mexico, including municipal and probate courts. Local governments fund municipal and probate courts, which are not part of the Judiciary’s unified budget process and are not overseen by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Constitution authorizes the Supreme Court to order certain remedies through issuing extraordinary writs. The Court also acts on recommendations by investigatory boards and commissions for disciplining judges and attorneys and oversees From left to right: Justices Michael E. Vigil, Justice C. Shannon the admission and regulation of attorneys in New Mexico. Bacon, Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura, Randi McGinn, Justice David K. Thomson and Senior Justice Barbara J. Vigil at the unveiling of a portrait of the late Chief Justice Charles Daniels on March 4, 2020.

From left to right: Justice C. Shannon Bacon, Senior Justice Barbara J. Vigil, former Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura (retired), Justice Michael E. Vigil (new chief justice), and Justice David. K. Thomson. Photo was taken before the public health emergency.

7 Supreme Court The State of New Mexico’s Highest Court

C h i 5 Justices e f . J 0 u 2 s 0 t i 2 c y 56 Full-Time Employees e r M a u ic r h b a e e F l E in . V n ig tio il c ta un lk e f s t tiv o t sla he l egi ate S at a l enator James White 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New Cases: 643

Review Court of AppealsAppeals rulingsrulings 101% 5% FY20 2%

5% THE COURTS Extraordinary writswrits FY19 89% Review habeas corpus denials 53% FY18 131% 23% All other case typestypes FY17 92% capital,Capital, other criminal appeals,appeals, PRC, PRC, elections 12% elections 94% Attorney and& judicial judicial discipline, discipline, regulation regulations FY16 Highlights

» New Chief Justice. Justice Michael E. Vigil was elected Chief » Equity and Justice Commission. Formed a committee to study Justice in July, succeeding Justice Judith K. Nakamura. She retired issues related to race and bias in the state’s justice system and from the Supreme Court effective Dec. 1, 2020. promote diversity among judges and judicial employees. » Increased Disposition Rate. The disposition rate for cases grew by » Recognition. Deborah Dungan, the only attorney administrative 12 percentage points from the previous year, reaching 101%. assistance to serve four Chief Justices consecutively, was honored » Rapid Response to Public Health Emergency. Established an by the State Bar of New Mexico as the first recipient of the Sarah Emergency Response Team at the outset of the COVID-19 M. Singleton Distinguished Bar Service Award. She retired in July. pandemic to develop and enforce safety protocols for operations of state courts and to answer questions from court personnel. » Live Streamed Oral Arguments. The Court’s first hearing conducted by video conferencing was in April with a case concerning primary election procedures. New Mexico PBS, KNME-TV, collaborated with the Court to stream hearings. The Court’s initial live stream had more than 6,000 views from nearly 3,500 unique users. » Pretrial Detention Committee. Formed a 15-member committee to consider possible changes in procedures for the pretrial detention of felony defendants. The committee submitted a report to the Court in May, and the justices later approved several amendments to the rules of criminal procedures to enhance public safety.

8 Court of Appeals

The Court of Appeals is New Mexico’s intermediate appellate court. It is the first and often final appellate court for most types of cases and produces a majority of the state’s appellate case law. The Court has mandatory jurisdiction in all civil, non-capital criminal and juvenile cases. It has discretionary jurisdiction over most cases appealed from administrative agencies. The Court has been successful at promptly submitting cases for decision once briefing is completed by the parties and has an Expedited Bench Decision program for From left, Court of Appeals Judges Megan P. Duffy, Julie J. Vargas quickly handling certain time sensitive cases. and Shammara H. Henderson preside over the Court’s first oral argument streamed live with attorneys remotely participating. There are ten judges on the Court of Appeals, led by a Chief Judge selected by the judges every two years. Three of the judges are located in the Supreme Court building in Santa Fe and seven are assigned to the Court’s Albuquerque office. The Court of Appeals building in Albuquerque is located on the University of New Mexico campus, adjacent to the School of Law. This location facilitates a unique educational partnership between the Court and Law School. The ten judges act in panels of three on all appellate opinions. An agreement of two judges is required to decide a case. Law clerks are assigned to each judge to assist with opinion research and writing. Court staff consists of the Clerk’s Office, Judge Jane Yohalem, top left, addresses an online audience after Division of Appellate Court Attorneys and Paralegals. The taking the oath of office in a virtual ceremony. She was appointed to the Court on June 20, 2020, succeeding Judge Linda Vanzi, who Clerk’s Office carries out the statutory duties of the Clerk of retired. the Court and is responsible for day-to-day business, case processing and fiscal matters. Paralegals edit and perform technical reviews of opinion. The Division of Appellate Court Attorneys screens all appeals for assignment to the Court’s summary and general calendars. Staff attorneys provide the Court with proposed opinions and recommendations on applications for interlocutory appeals, petitions for writs of certiorari, and petitions for writs of error.

9 Court of Appeals The First and Often Final Appellate Court

. J r u e d 10 Judges k g a t e i S h h a W 52 Full-Time Employees m n m ta a S r e a g H d u . H J e ef nd hi er t C so ur n t Co ak ict ing istr oath al D from Second Judici 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New Cases: 807

Criminal FY20 103% General Civil 8% THE COURTS 6% 114.4% 5% Discretionary FY19 4% 40% Domestic 7% FY18 91.3% Administrative/Workers' Comp FY17 90.4% 30% Children's Court Rule 12-204 Pretrial Detention FY16 86.8% Highlights » Reduced Backlog. Backlog, defined as the number of cases ready » Law School Outreach. Judges and staff spoke to classes at the for a decision, went from 351 to 206 — a 41% decline. University of New Mexico School of Law, served as professors » High Disposition Rate. Achieved a disposition rate of 103%, and adjunct professors, judged moot court sessions and provided resolving 830 cases while 807 new cases were opened in FY20. educational externships. » Increased Pretrial Detention Decisions. Decided 62 expedited » Comings and Goings. Judge Shammara H. Henderson was appeals regarding the pretrial detention of criminal defendants. appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in February 2020 This is an 82% increase from FY19. to fill the vacancy left by Chief Judge M. Monica Zamora; Jane Yohalem was appointed by the governor to replace Judge Linda » Improved Public Access. Enhanced transparency and access Vanzi, who retired effective May 29, 2020. by continuing to make more case files and court materials electronically available to the public at no cost.

From left to right: Seated: Judge Julie J. Vargas, retired Judge Linda M. Vanzi, retired Chief Judge M. Monica Zamora, current Chief Judge J. Miles Hanisee, Judge Jennifer Attrep. Standing: Judge Briana H. Zamora, Megan P. Duffy, Kristina Bogardus, Jacquiline R. Medina and Zachary A. Ives. Photo was taken before the public health emergency.

10 Third Judicial District Court Judge Richard M. Jacquez with his family after being sworn in. Judge Jacquez replaces Judge Casey Fitch who was the first judge to fill the newest judgeship. (L-R) Chief Justice Michael E. Vigil, Los Alamos County Magistrate Judge Pat Casados and Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Judge Sandra Engel at a legislative function.

More than 75 college and high school graduates in the class of 2020 were honored with a video on the New Mexico Courts YouTube Channel https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=1RdFllrHR0U. Traditional graduations were canceled or postponed due to the public health Administrative Office of the Courts Director Artie Pepin talks to a reporter about emergency. pretrial detention after testifying before a legislative committee.

From left - Eleventh Judicial District Judge Curtis Gurley and Second Judicial District Judges Carl Butkus and Santa Fe Cub Scout Pack 57 visits the New Mexico Supreme Court Building with Joshua Allison at annual training for judges in early Justice C. Shannon Bacon, Senior Justice Barbara J. Vigil (wearing a scarf), and March, 2020. Justice David K. Thomson (wearing a tie) as tour guides.

(L-R) Former Justices Richard C. Bosson, Richard E. Ransom, Edward L. Chávez, Gary L. Clingman; current Justice C. Shannon Bacon; Randy McGinn, wife of the late Chief Justice Charles W. Daniels; Justice David K. Thomson; Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura; retired Justice Petra Jimenez Maes; Senior Justice Barbara J. Vigil; and Justice Michael E. Vigil at the unveiling of Daniels’ portrait on March 4, 2020. District Courts

2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Statewide New and Reopened Cases: 109,263

District courts are general jurisdiction courts. They hear and determine adult and juvenile criminal cases as well as civil 24% matters, including domestic relations, contract disputes and Adult Criminal personal injury litigation. 3% Juvenile Criminal Civil There were 99 district judges in the 2020 fiscal year. The courts 73% serve self-represented litigants in about half of newly filed civil cases, which adds to the demands on judges and staff as they ensure access to justice for those unfamiliar with legal procedures.

Disposition Rate District Civil Cases Counts with Pro Se FY20 104.7% District Civil Cases AttorneysCounts with & Pro Se Attorneys & 104.1% PercentagePercentage of NewNew Cases Cases FY19 FY11 thru FY20 95.2% FY11 thru FY20 FY18 FY17 98.0%98% 36,000 60% 102.4% 52% 52% FY16 34,000 51% 49% 48% 50% Disposition rate measures whether a court is keeping up with incoming cases.

49% 34,722 49% 32,000 A rate below 100% indicates a court resolved fewer cases than were filed or 42% 33,833 reopened within a fiscal year, which increases the number of pending cases. 40% 30,000 32,630 36% 37% 30,911 30,911 28,000 30% 30,000 30,000 29,407 29,407 29,356 29,356 28,823 28,823

26,000 28,211 20%

24,000 26,171 10% 22,000

20,000 0% FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20

12 1st Judicial District Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos Counties

C l a r a 10 District Court Judges , a n

in te r 7 Magistrate Court Judges a c t iv e

vi rt 129 Full-Time Employees ua l . as ed sis ne tan y t, the hel at ps co d wh urt visitors quickly fiin 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 9,996

FY20 109.7% 21% Adult Criminal FY19 101%101.0% 3% Juvenile Criminal FY18 97.9%

Civil FY17 93.1% 76% FY16 101.9% Highlights » 33 jury trials and 1,667 bench trials in district courts. Of the 61 cases that fully participated in the program, 82 percent » 18 jury trials and 908 bench trials in magistrate courts. were resolved. A settlement facilitator conducted 356 telephonic status conferences between borrowers and lenders to try to » Drug Court and Mental Health Programs resolve residential mortgage lawsuits and avoid foreclosure. THE COURTS › 14 graduates of adult and DWI drug courts and behavioral › Family Court Services conducted 247 mediations, 46 priority health court consultations and 35 advisory consultations on child custody, » Artificial Intelligence Kiosk. To improve access to court services, kinship guardianships and grandparent visitation issues. There a prototype artificial intelligence kiosk was installed in the were 106 mediations in abuse and neglect cases involving Santa Fe courthouse lobby. The kiosk features an interactive children in state custody. digital avatar, named Clara, and it can answer frequently asked » Pretrial Services. 198 adult criminal defendants were referred questions, display a courthouse map and email court forms to the to Pretrial Services, and 131 were placed on supervision for public. Users navigate the kiosk with a touchscreen or through compliance with court-ordered conditions of release, including voice commands to which Clara will respond. drug and alcohol testing, electronic monitoring and counseling » E-Filings. 119,700 e-filings processed by the clerk’s office and 64,058 for substance abuse and mental health issues. entries were docketed into the electronic case management system, » Access to Justice Initiatives including documents that self-represented litigants and others › 152 people attended free family law orientation presentations submitted by email, fax, in-person and the U.S. Postal Service. on divorce and parentage cases. The sessions are offered monthly » Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Programs in English and Spanish at the Santa Fe Community College. › 211 civil and domestic cases were referred to the ADR program › 53 people attended four free civil legal clinics at the Santa Fe and 40 percent were fully settled. About half of the cases courthouse. Volunteer attorneys provided advice on foreclosures, involved self-represented litigants and a fifth of all cases landlord-tenant disputes, employee rights and other matters. qualified for free or reduced-fee ADR services. Forty-three › Court Constituent Services began offering a family law clinic attorneys serve as settlement facilitators in the program. bimonthly. Qualifying self-represented litigants can consult for › 134 cases were referred to the foreclosure settlement program. free with a New Mexico Legal Aid attorney for up to an hour. 13

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a left, Court Leos, Judge Cindy Adult Young graduate the first Concini, Adrian congratulates Court. Adult Young of SJDC’s M e g d 12,123 self-represented litigants assisted by the Center for Self- for the Center by assisted litigants 12,123 self-represented an interpreter. including 305 individuals who required Help, bono pro along with the court’s Divisions, and Civil Family The nine civil legal fairs, Law-La-Palooza three hosted committee, on family law assistance offering clinics legal clinics and eight matters. Ju — Program the Settlement Facilitation to 1,235 cases referred cases and 1,009 civil cases. 226 family law of which 193 in 2,481 cases, assisted Court interpreters a language other than Spanish. in interpreters required

rt 14 Access to Justice Initiatives Justice to Access › › u › ›

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Adult Criminal Juvenile Criminal Civil 1%

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The Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Program resolved 78% resolved Program Mortgage Residential Foreclosure The foreclosures. avoid helping to of its cases, The Fiscal and Purchasing Divisions received the Court’s the Court’s Divisions received and Purchasing Fiscal The Award. Distinguished Performance Chief Judge Stan Whitaker appointed to the state’s new Civil new Civil the state’s to appointed Whitaker JudgeChief Stan Grisham. Michelle Lujan Gov. by Rights Commission The Albuquerque Bar Association recognized Judge Cindy Leos Leos Judge Cindy Bar recognized Association Albuquerque The Year. as Judge of the

69 graduates of adult, juvenile, family dependency and DWI juvenile, of adult, 69 graduates court. courtsdrug health treatment and mental nd

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Programs Resolution (ADR) Dispute Alternative › › › was launched for launched for was Program Treatment Outpatient Assisted An inpatient help reduce illness to individuals with serious mental on homelessness and strain incarcerations, hospitalizations, with the city Division Civil collaborated The community resources. the program. in developing of Albuquerque The Lucy and Solimon. Moran Clara Judges. New Two Welcomed help with the court’s the judgeships to created 2020 Legislature workload. increased Recognitions › 78 jury trials and 4,160 bench trials. Programs Drug Health Court and Mental ›

Bernalillo County 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Year 2020 Fiscal 34,994 and Reopened Cases: New » » » » 361 Full-Time Employees 361 Full-Time 29 District Court Judges 29 District Court 2

» » Highlights 3rd Judicial District Doña Ana County

3 r d J 9 District Court Judges u d ic ia l D 7 Magistrate Court Judges is tr ic t C r. o ai u F 116 Full-Time Employees rt te st ta aff S f h 19 elp 20 w he ith at t the N oth ew Mexico Courts bo 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 10,815

FY20 104.5% 20% Adult Criminal FY19 102.9% 4% Juvenile Criminal FY18 95.0%95%

Civil 93.5% 76% FY17 FY16 99.6% Highlights

» 31 jury trials and 669 bench trials in district court. » Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Programs » 23 jury and 1,483 bench trials in magistrate courts. › 203 settlement facilitations in civil cases and 215 in domestic

THE COURTS cases by the court’s mediation division. » An additional district court judgeship was approved by the 2020 › ADR and mediation hearings were remotely conducted with Legislature, the first for the district in 14 years. Judge Casey Google Meet to serve the public while the court operated with Fitch was appointed to the new position in July by the governor. COVID-safe practices. Richard M. Jacquez was elected to fill the judgeship. » Access to Justice » Drug Court and Mental Health Programs › Self-Help Center assisted 8,562 people in-person and by › 39 graduates of adult, juvenile and DWI drug courts, family telephone from July 2019 to March 2020, when court and veterans treatment courts and mental health treatment procedures changed because of the pandemic. The center court. The specialty courts purchased 15 additional electronic quickly adapted to remotely serving the public, helping 4,138 monitoring devices to help ensure program compliance by people by telephone from April through June. Forms were participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. emailed to people and then assistance was provided over the › The Veterans Treatment Court, which is the first such court in phone on filing options. Doña Ana County to address mental illness in clients facing › Attorneys provided 398 legal advice consultations at in-person criminal changes, received a $30,000 grant from the city of Las clinics from July 2019 to March 2019. Volunteer attorneys Cruces to facilitate tele-networking for program participants. offered legal aid to 29 people over the telephone at clinics in › Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program has served 112 clients May and June. in the past three years. The program is for adults with a serious mental disorder and 30 clients have been successfully discharged.

15 4th Judicial District San Miguel, Mora and Guadalupe Counties

o 3 District Court Judges r a M a g is 4 Magistrate Court Judges t ra te C o u 41 Full-Time Employees rt J ud ge Jo hn Sa nch ez re 20. tired on March 1, 20 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 3,373

FY20 98.2%

18% THE COURTS Adult Criminal 105.8% 2% FY19 Juvenile Criminal FY18 97.4%

Civil FY17 98.7% 80% FY16 95.3% Highlights

» 6 jury trials and 337 bench trials in district courts. » 3 jury and 181 bench trials in magistrate courts. » Drug Court Programs › 17 graduates of adult drug court and magistrate DWI court. » Access to Justice › 1,031 people assisted by the Self-Help Center, which provides forms and guidance to self-represented litigants. › 66 people received legal assistance at 15 family law clinics for self-represented litigants. An in-person pro bono legal clinic was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. » Serving Children and Families › 242 supervised visits and safe exchanges for children in cases involving parental disputes, including divorce, custody and JoAnn Valdez from the Fourth Judicial District recorded domestic violence. the first video on how to wear masks properly. Informative COVID-19 Tip Tuesday videos can be viewed by the public › 57 children in abuse and neglect cases served by Court on the New Mexico Courts YouTube channel. Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers. » Retirements › Mora County Magistrate Judge John L. Sanchez retired on March 1, after 15 years of service to the state.

16 5th Judicial District Chaves, Eddy and Lea Counties

C h i e 11 District Court Judges f J u d g e J 9 Magistrate Court Judges a m e s H u ds 109 Full-Time Employees on a tte nd s a me eting virtually. 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 12,737

FY20 113.7% 23% Adult Criminal FY19 106.4%

2% Juvenile Criminal FY18 90.1%

Civil FY17 98.3% 75% FY16 96.4% Highlights

» 65 jury trials and 2,318 bench trials in district courts. » Serving Children and Families » 24 jury trials and 1,927 bench trials in magistrate courts. › 2,127 supervised visits and safe exchanges for children

THE COURTS in cases involving parental disputes, including divorce, » Drug Court Programs custody and domestic violence. › 13 graduates of DWI drug court and family dependency court. › 516 children in abuse and neglect cases served by CASA › A juvenile drug court was converted to an adult drug court volunteers. program in Chaves County.

Magistrate Court staff in Roswell wear masks as part of public health safety measures.

17 th

6 Judicial District t

S Grant, Hidalgo and Luna Counties s

m S i o x h 4 District Court Judges t T h J d u n d a ic y i e 4 Magistrate Court Judges a n l a D L is e t D ri r ct e C if 53 Full-Time Employees o n u en rt J Ju ge dg ud es f J (fr hie om t, C left) acke James Foy, Jarod Hof 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 3,381

FY20 109.0%109% THE COURTS 30% Adult Criminal FY19 101.2%

Juvenile Criminal FY18 93.5% 2% 68% Civil FY17 95.9%

FY16 95.6% Highlights

» 14 jury trials and 831 bench trials in district courts. University on judicial internships. Two student interns assisted » 4 jury trials and 592 bench trials in magistrate courts. drug court programs in Grant and Luna counties, helped judges and bailiffs with hearing and trials, and learned about the court’s » Drug Court Programs and Outreach budget. › 16 graduates of adult drug courts in Deming, Silver City and Lordsburg. » Serving Children and Families › The Luna County Drug Court and Pretrial Services Division › 691 supervised visits and safe exchanges for children in cases program staffed a booth at the National Night Out in Deming, involving parental disputes, including divorce, custody and which drew more than 1,000 people. The drug court also domestic violence. hosted events throughout the year, including a fishing trip, › 43 children in abuse and neglect cases served by CASA pumpkin carving contest and holiday dinner for participants volunteers. and their families. Program participants also donated food for Thanksgiving baskets for needy families. » E-Payment Pilot. District courts piloted an e-payment system allowing people to use a credit or debit card to pay for filing fees, fines and other services including photocopies of documents. The online payment system reduced the need for people to visit the courthouse during the COVID-19 pandemic. » Access to Justice › 74 people received legal assistance from attorneys at the Luna In September 2019, Luna County Adult Drug County pro bono legal fair. Court participant Jesus Chavez spent time relaxing at Catfish Cove with other participants » Judicial Internships. Collaborated with Western New Mexico and treatment providers.

18 7th Judicial District Catron, Sierra, Socorro and Torrance Counties

C h i e 3 District Court Judges f J u d g . e h M t 4 Magistrate Court Judges r a o t th sw e ll w E a R n 46 Full-Time Employees ey w n ha ol S ds te ap ua pla rad uds rt g Sier Cou ra County Adult Drug 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 2,328

FY20 100.6% 29% Adult Criminal FY19 97.4%

Juvenile Criminal FY18 96.5% 4% 67% Civil FY17 91.4%

FY16 94.3% Highlights

» 5 jury trials and 477 bench trials in district courts. » 5 jury trials and 722 bench trials in magistrate court.

THE COURTS » Drug Court Programs › 7 graduates of adult drug courts in Socorro, Truth or Consequences and Estancia during the fiscal year. Since the start of the programs, 140 participants have graduated. › 4 graduates of the Torrance County Magistrate Court DWI Drug Court during the fiscal year. There has been no recidivism by the 33 participants who graduated since the program’s inception. » Serving Children and Families › 58 children in abuse and neglect cases served by CASA volunteers.

Judge Mercedes Murphy (right) and Keona Martinez, graduate of Socorro Adult Drug Court

19 8th Judicial District Colfax, Taos and Union Counties

C h i 3 District Court Judges e f J u d g e 5 Magistrate Court Judges E m il io C h 49 Full-Time Employees a ve z ho ld s a he arin . g rem bers otely from his cham 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 2,939

FY20 102.3% THE COURTS 27% Adult Criminal FY19 93.0%93%

Juvenile Criminal FY18 93.8% 2% 98.2% 71% Civil FY17

FY16 96.9% Highlights

» 15 jury trials and 232 bench trials in district courts. › 47 children in abuse and neglect cases served by CASA » 11 jury trials and 442 bench trials in magistrate courts. volunteers. » Drug Court Programs » New Construction. Construction completed for the co-location of › 15 graduates of adult drug courts in Taos and Raton. the magistrate court with the district court in the Leon Karelitz Judicial Center in Raton. » New Chief Judge and Judge Appointments › Judge Emilio Chavez became the Chief Judge of the district after the retirement of Judge Jeff McElroy in October 2019. › The governor appointed former Magistrate Judge Jeff Shannon to fill the district court vacancy created by the retirement. › Taos attorney Sara Blankenhorn was appointed to the magistrate court vacancy. » Access to Justice Initiatives › 889 people assisted by the Help Desk in the Taos courthouse, which operated at reduced hours during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Help Desk offers monthly video appointments to assist people in Colfax and Union counties. › 100 people received legal aid at a pro bono legal fair in Taos in October 2019. A dozen attorneys donated their services. » Serving Children and Families Eighth Judicial District’s Rhonda › 264 supervised visits and safe exchanges for children in cases Aragon’s mask says it all. Ms. Aragon involving parental disputes, including divorce, custody and is a Court COVID-19 Safe Certified domestic violence. Designee.

J th u

D 9 Judicial District

n n

o Curry and Roosevelt Counties w

r e

i s 5 District Court Judges j o i n e d b 3 Magistrate Court Judges y J u . s d t i ic a e l a 60 Full-Time Employees C g . le Sh a ee n fr n e on id B v ac ro on o p , w wh ho eys spok torn e at a luncheon for at 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 3,821

FY20 105.5% Adult Criminal 33% FY19 105.9%

Juvenile Criminal FY18 101.0%101 63% 4% Civil FY17 94.7%

FY16 100.8% Highlights

» 37 jury trials and 347 bench trials in district courts. » 36 jury trials and 409 bench trials in magistrate courts. THE COURTS » Drug Court Programs › 12 graduates of adult drug courts in Clovis and Portales. » Alternative Dispute Resolution › Nearly 100 mediations were conducted by a district court program that provides a mediation option in domestic relations and domestic violence cases. Self-represented litigants account for most of the participants. The Curry County Magistrate Court also operates a mediation program. » Access to Justice Initiatives › 109 people received legal assistance at the eighth annual Ask- a-Lawyer event in Portales. Supreme Court Justice C. Shannon Bacon made a presentation at a luncheon that celebrated efforts by attorneys to provide free legal aid in the judicial district. › 150 self-represented litigants helped at 16 free law clinics.

Chief Judge Drew Tatum talks to students on Constitution Day.

21 10th Judicial District

. DeBaca, Harding and Quay Counties e e t t i

C m h i m 1 District Court Judge e o f C D e is c t r n ic a 3 Magistrate Court Judges t in F Ju d e g iv e t la A is 15 Full-Time Employees lb g e e rt L M he it t ch of el or l, Jr ect ., (r , dir ight) bey meets with David Ab 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 755

99.2%

FY20 THE COURTS Adult Criminal 30% FY19 99.5%

Juvenile Criminal FY18 92.7% 4% 66% Civil FY17 92.5%

FY16 89.9% Highlights

» 11 jury trials and 121 bench trials in district courts. » 8 jury trials and 48 bench trials in magistrate courts. » Criminal Justice Partnerships › Participated in monthly Criminal Justice Coordinating Council meetings, which bring together the criminal justice partners, including prosecutors and public defenders, to focus on solving justice system issues within the district. » Many Miles Traveled › Despite the pandemic, the one district judge for the district, Chief Judge Albert Mitchell, Jr., was able to visit courthouses across DeBaca, Harding, and Quay Counties.

Courtroom in the Quay County courthouse showing physical distancing and other COVID-safe protocols implemented for jury trials.

u d

g th

L o

i s 11 Judicial District

u l McKinley and San Juan Counties i

J r .

( l e f t 8 District Court Judges ) s w e a rs 9 Magistrate Court Judges in R . D av t. id et 123 Full-Time Employees P nn ed e er y B so nd n i Ly n G ge allu ud p. P red J ederson replaced reti 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 8,626

FY20 110.2% 30% Adult Criminal FY19 106.5%

Juvenile Criminal FY18 90.2%

66% 4% Civil FY17 99.4%

FY16 94.5% Highlights

» 32 jury trials and 624 bench trials in district court. platform for the adult detention center to electronically deliver » 21 jury trials and 1,958 bench trials in magistrate court. booking information to the district and magistrate courts, the

THE COURTS district attorney’s office and the public defender’s office. » Pretrial Services Program. Piloted the Public Safety Assessment (PSA) tool for evaluating criminal defendants to provide evidence-based information for judges in determining conditions of release and supervision before trial. Staff screened 1,001 defendants and 390 were released on pretrial supervision. » Drug Court Programs › 41 graduates of adult and juvenile drug courts, mental health treatment court and magistrate court DWI drug court. › A drive-through drug court graduation was hosted at the Aztec District Court because of public health restrictions on group gatherings. » Access to Justice Initiatives › 210 people received free legal aid at monthly legal clinics in McKinley and San Juan counties. Clinics were conducted by telephone during the pandemic. Two-fifths of those receiving legal assistance earned less than $15,000 a year. › 249 people assisted at a legal fair in San Juan County. » Criminal Justice Partnerships. Work began through the San Juan County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to create a secure Drive-through Drug Court graduation at the Aztec District Courthouse in May 2020.

23 12th Judicial District Lincoln and Otero Counties

J u d 5 District Court Judges g e J a m e 4 Magistrate Court Judges s W . C o u n 56 Full-Time Employees ts c on du ct s a ic. vi m rtua nde l hea e pa ring at the start of th 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 4,589

FY20 107.6% THE COURTS Adult Criminal 35% FY19 108.6%

Juvenile Criminal FY18 88.1% 63% 103.0%103% 2% Civil FY17

FY16 106.5% Highlights

» 89 jury trials and 549 bench trials in district courts. › 400 supervised visits and safe exchanges for children in » 62 jury trials and 569 bench trials in magistrate courts. cases with parental disputes, including divorce, custody and domestic violence. » 19,261 hearings conducted in district and magistrate courts, more than one-fifth of which were held remotely during the COVID-19 public health emergency. » Clerks’ offices docketed over 230,000 events in district and magistrate courts. » 470 defendants referred to pretrial services. » Addressing Mental Health. Launched a Veterans’ Treatment Court with federal grant funding. » Criminal Justice Partnerships. Received a federal grant to develop a web and mobile application for law enforcement to track their court hearings. » Access to Justice Initiatives. Self-Help Center used 5,117 times by members of the public. » Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs. 130 orders of referral Twelfth Judicial District Court Judges from top left to right: to mediation. Mediations were conducted remotely during the New Division V Judge Ellen Jessen, Chief Judge Angie K. pandemic. Schneider; bottom left to right: Judge James W. Counts, » Serving Children and Families Judge Steven Blankinship and Judge Daniel A. Bryant. Judge Counts retired in October 2020. › 153 children in abuse and neglect cases served by CASA volunteers.

u r

s 13 Judicial District

i m Cibola, Sandoval and Valencia Counties

u r a n . 8 District Court Judges ( y le t f r t a ) , p B t e n r e 8 Magistrate Court Judges l in m a re M ti e a r es s t hi 117 Full-Time Employees as g a in nd ur Sa d br ald ina on Ga cD rcia uis M fllank Chief Judge Lo 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 10,909

FY20 108.0%108% 21% Adult Criminal FY19 101.6% 3% Juvenile Criminal FY18 92.8%

Civil FY17 98.5% 76% FY16 115.1% Highlights

» 21 jury trials and 959 bench trials in district courts. » Serving Children and Families » 1 jury trial and 1,430 bench trials in magistrate courts. › 233 children in abuse and neglect cases served by CASA

THE COURTS volunteers. » Drug Court Programs. 83 graduates of adult and juvenile drug courts in Bernalillo, Los Lunas and Grants; behavioral health court › 2,154 supervised visits and safe exchanges for children in in Bernalillo; and the Valencia County Magistrate DWI Drug Court. cases with parental disputes, including divorce, custody and domestic violence. » Pretrial Services Program › The district began using a pretrial risk assessment known as the Public Safety Assessment (PSA) to evaluate criminal defendants, providing evidence-based information to judges to help in determining conditions of pretrial release and supervision. › Pretrial Services supervised an average of 150 defendants a day to monitor compliance with release conditions and help ensure future court appearances. » Foreclosure Settlement Program settled 90% of its cases. » Retirement and New Judgeships › The district’s chief judge, Louis P. McDonald, retired Jan. 1, 2020, after serving more than 27 years on the bench. › The district welcomed three new judges: Sandoval County Thirteenth Judicial District Chief Judge George Eichwald District Court Judges Christopher Perez and James Noel, and (left) converses with Fourth Judicial District Chief Judge Los Lunas Magistrate Court Judge Heather Benavidez. Gerald Baca.

Metropolitan Court t n

a Bernalillo County r t

n e C A i g d n 19 Judges e i d d d b e y W a l s a 321 Full-Time Employees i g u n n n la n A g th u 0 ag 2 e t’s in ur te o rp o C ret etr er, M Jud e at ge F oupl rank Sedillo weds a c 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload Disposition Rate New and Reopened Cases: 59,653

FY20 113.8% THE COURTS 31% Criminal 115.2% 37% FY19 Traffic FY18 103.0%103 Parking 5% Civil FY17 101.6%

27% FY16 98.5% Highlights

» 26 criminal jury and 12,340 bench trials; 1 civil jury and 14,085 › The Court held its first Community Outreach Day, with more bench trials. than 50 resource providers offering information on services to » Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs specialty court participants and the public. › Landlord-Tenant Settlement Program established to help parties › The second annual Veterans Court Resource Day served 249 reach an agreement with a trained settlement facilitator. veterans, connecting them with agencies offering services › Litigants in 474 cases participated in the court’s Mediation from employment resources to therapy options. Program, with an average 71% resolution rate. » Drug Court Programs » Pretrial Services Program › 159 graduates of DWI drug court, veterans court and › 4,128 defendants supervised by the Felony Pretrial Services behavioral health court. Division, and an average of 917 defendants supervised each › DWI Recovery Court and Urban Native American Healing to month by the Misdemeanor Pretrial Services Unit. Wellness Court had a combined recidivism rate of 6.9% among › 97.4% of defendants released pretrial from the ROR Program their graduates (release on recognizance) appeared for their first court date. » Access to Justice Initiatives » Increase in Preliminary Hearings. 277 preliminary examination › 65,645 individuals served in-person at Customer Service hearings were conducted to determine probable cause in counters and 69,803 helped over the telephone. criminal cases, a 93% increase from FY19. › 10,314 people assisted in-person and telephonically by the Self-Help Center, including 480 in Spanish. » Community Outreach › 188 people assisted at monthly Civil Legal Clinics, which › A record number – 1,037 – of non-violent misdemeanor, traffic continued to provide legal aid to the public remotely during and parking warrants were handled on Warrant Resolution Day. the COVID-19 pandemic. › 66 homeless or precariously housed individuals graduated from Outreach Court, which helps people working with treatment » New Chief Judge providers to resolve misdemeanors and outstanding warrants. › Judge Maria I. Dominguez was elected chief judge. 26 Magistrate Courts 46 Courts Statewide 67 Judges 254 Full-Time Employees Magistrate courts have limited jurisdiction and handle DWI cases, misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil actions up to $10,000 and hold preliminary hearings to determine probable cause on felony charges. Magistrate judges are not required to be lawyers except in Doña Ana County. Judges serve four-year terms and must run for election in partisan elections. District courts administratively oversee the magistrate courts Curry County Magistrate Judge F. Shaun Burns conducts a hearing. within their districts. The Administrative Office of the Courts previously provided that supervision. The consolidation with district courts was completed statewide at the beginning of fiscal year 2020, simplifying the Judiciary’s organizational structure and streamlining processes to make court operations more efficient. 2020 Fiscal Year Caseload New and Reopened Cases: 116,999

San Miguel County Magistrate Judge Melanie Rivera, Santa Fe 12% County Magistrate Judges David Segura and Donita Sena, First Judicial District Chief Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer and Third 36% Criminal Judicial District Judge Grace Duran take a break at annual training for judges in March 2020. Traffic Civil 52%

Disposition Rate

FY20 107.7%

FY19 106.3%

FY18 99.6%

FY17 100.2%

FY16 102.4%

27 COURT OPERATIONS The Court Operations Division (COD) - a relatively new Central Operations. The Central Operations/Warrant division of the Administrative Office of the Courts Enforcement Group’s customer service unit operated a - is composed of the following programs: Facilities toll-free centralized call center providing information to Management, Court Security, Central Operations/Warrant the public in English and Spanish about court services, Enforcement, Internal Auditing, Court Standardization, and cases, and how to comply with citations, summonses and Municipal Court Automation. warrants. The unit assisted the public with accessing court hearings conducted by audio-video conferencing during In Fiscal Year 2020: the pandemic. Facilities Management. Facilities Management coordinated Warrant Enforcement. The Warrant Enforcement Program a capital improvement project to reduce magistrate courts’ (WEP) reviewed all outstanding magistrate court warrants reliance on paper file retention by converting permanent to determine if they remained valid and helped individuals records to digital and microfilm, which will comply with in resolving warrants, including sending reminders to State Records and Archives retention rules. Facilities defendants of upcoming court deadlines to help improve Management also developed a courthouse prototype compliance. The WEP’s citation processing unit, which model, with the first magistrate courthouses to use the standardizes the input of uniform traffic citations into model in Lovington, Belen, Ruidoso and Anthony. the judiciary’s electronic case management system, also Court Security. A statewide Court Security Manager expanded to help magistrate courts issue summonses and was hired for the Court Security Program. Among the other hearing notices. manager’s duties is to monitor potential security threats All WEP units delivered personal protective equipment and for the courts and coordinate with local law enforcement disinfecting supplies to courts during the pandemic and on security response plans. Installation of security cameras arranged for wellness kits for jurors consisting of masks, in magistrate courts and systems that control access to hand sanitizer, a notepad and pen for use during jury trials. magistrate court buildings continued. Appropriations The WEP coordinated inspection visits to courthouses funded these systems. to ensure courts complied with COVID-safe procedures Internal Audit. Internal auditors completed four ordered by the Supreme Court. (picture) procedural audits and presented those to magistrate Municipal Court Automation. The Municipal Court courts. Three desk audits were performed, including one Automation Program ensured municipal courts remained for all magistrate courts to determine if credits to satisfy up-to-date on Supreme Court emergency orders, policies, balances owed by defendants were properly documented, and procedures during the pandemic. It also assisted authorized, and complied with statutory and court municipalities on a process within a 2019 law for granting procedural rule requirements. authority to magistrate courts to hear cases involving Court Standardization. The Court Standardization municipal ordinances. Program provided legal advice to magistrate judges and staff in coordination with district courts, provided periodic legal updates, coordinated the legal education of the magistrates, and certified the qualification of newly elected magistrate judges.

Warrant Enforcement Manager and Emergency Response Team member Cynthia Pacheco points to the many supplies for employees and jurors for the public health emergency. 28 PROGRAMS were accomplished inthelastyear: processes.the newcourt The following initiatives providing educational resources andtraining on passed by the Legislature in2018and2019, requirementswas implementing newstatutory adult guardianship issues andconservatorship of theAOC staff attorney assigned to on work focus living arrangements. FY20,theprimary In manage theirfinances, property, healthcare or decisions for peopleincapacitated andunableto organizations appointed to make by acourt Guardians are andconservators individualsor Adult Guardianship andConservatorship • • Grand Total -Active Cases Statewide Judicial District guardianship cases. andconservatorship requirements, forms inadult rulesandcourt Trained judgesandstaffonthenewstatutory docketingpractice events. staff to sessionfor court including ahands-on guardianship system, andconservatorship statutes andrulechangesto theadult Trained staffonthe more than50court Training ofcases.these types staff onhow to properly docket events in Guardianship Cases, a26-pageguidefor court Processing Adult Conservatorship/ the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Procedural Updates. andupdated Revised Active Adult Guardianship/Conservatorship 10 13 12 11 9 8 7 6 5 2 1 4 3 Pending Cases by JudicialDistrict 115 161 101 76 25 59 14 25 35 38 73 8 3 Reopened 106 10 38 10 51 5 7 1 9 7 5 9 2 Adjudicated 1966 154 417 258 396 640 198 124 568 62 79 41 25 5921 2187 Total 148 109 107 169 451 276 595 682 241 206 720 30 29 conservatorship casesstatewide.conservatorship are 6,000openadultguardianship/ nearly As of June30,2020,data shows that there litigation. infiscal Highlights year 2020: alternatives tomonitors formal court-connected (ADR) Commission develops, organizes and The Statewide Alternative Dispute Resolution Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission • • • • Office ofthe StateOffice Auditor. contractors andtheemployees withthe including attorneys, ofGuardianship Office guardianship system, and conservatorship Trained stakeholders ontheadult and thenewgrievance process. conservators, theprocess abuse, for reporting the role andresponsibilities ofguardians and a seriesofinformational/training videoson Educational Videos. Developing scriptsfor collaboration between thecommissions. dispute resolution programs. This isanew strategic plan to improve litigants’ access to to Justice (ATJ) Commission’s statewide to implement items intheNewMexico Access New Collaboration. The commission worked for civilcases. court the district andprogramsestablishing ADRservices in now havedistricts localrulesauthorizingand of the Tenth alljudicial JudicialDistrict, Statewide ADRServices. With theexception andprograms court. services inthedistrict fee scalesfor civilcases referred to ADR except the Tenth have JudicialDistrict, sliding Sliding Fee Scales. Rural judicialdistricts, PROGRAMS cases to ODR. When both When ODR. cases to and defendants plaintiffs fully engage in the ODR 65% of cases are process, using the online resolved tool. version In FY21, an updated of ODR will be implemented The the state. throughout will allow new version New Mexicans can save time and money by and money by time New Mexicans can save quickly to online settle lawsuits negotiating unpaid debts. over a 24/7, offering is available system online The appearing in court to alternative convenient in person. the court system navigate Makes it easier to those with a legal problem. for 30 • • • OnlineResolution Dispute was ResolutionOnline (ODR) Dispute The 2019. in September statewide implemented service partiesfree online allows negotiate to due cases without debt and money resolve to in court.appearing a successful In cases, some an individual’s to can lessen harm resolution garnishments wage and help avoid rating credit ODR The or other debt collection procedures. each party asks questions of system about what the lawsuit. resolve potentially to they want negotiation, weeks of online During the first two of a the parties the assistance request may after is reached If no agreement mediator. trained in court. forward From the case moves 30 days, 1,231 2020, courts June June 2019 to referred parties, and easier use for and access improved of cases. will assist in earlier resolution the benefits of ODR: Among Judge Jeff McElroy and Susan Barnes-Anderson and Susan Barnes-Anderson Judge Jeff McElroy presented in ADR awards hold their Excellence during an ADR Commission the Statewide by October symposium. The The ADR Symposium. Annual commission a two-day held at a workshop ADR organized the Risk by Management symposium hosted Division Services of the General Department. 10 judicial districts and judges from and Staff Court Metropolitan the Bernalillo County October in the workshop 2019 attended The College. Community Fe the Santa at expert a national was on presenter workshop courtdeveloping ADR programs. formed commission The Committee. Ethics in on ethical considerations a committee on focus new providing resolution, dispute this vital area. Mediation Center Judicial Education awarded commission The Scholarships. judiciaryeight and judges employees to with attendance the state around from UNM School the of Law. at training mediation The commission in ADR Awards. Excellence of court- advocates long-time recognized with Excellence connected ADR programs and their dedication for in ADR Awards the Judiciary: to commitment Judicial Eighth and Susan District Chief Judge Jeff McElroy Bernalillo County from Barnes-Anderson Court. Metropolitan AOC Manager. Program ADR Statewide manager program filled the ADR statewide the With vacancy. position after a year-long Court the Supreme help of the commission, a full-time manager funding for secured Court the Magistrate to position dedicated Program. Mediation • • • • • PROGRAMS During fiscal fiscal During year 2020,the commission: Administrative ofthe Office Courts. State University through anagreement withthe Child andFamily andNewMexico Justice (CWC) were trained at theCorinne Wolfe Center for Under thefederal grants, attorneys andjudges former foster youth andotherinterested parties. educators, providers, service foster parents, (CYFD), attorneys, childandfamilyadvocates, of theChildren, Youth andFamilies Department Children’s Court Improvement Commission • Fostering Act. Connections foster to theageof21under care services collaboration improving withCYFD extended Collaboration.CYFD Continued its Library. meeting intheNewMexico Supreme Law Court at alegislative reception priorto the quarterly (uppermiddle)address theaudienceDistrict Judge Jennifer Judicial from DeLaney theSixth Ezra Spitzer andChief (upper left) co-chairs The Children’s Improvement Court Commission juvenile justice programs and protective services representatives from the includes judges, legislators, commission systems. The child welfare court federal grants for improving based commission to oversee appoints abroadlyCourt The NewMexico Supreme 31 expressed a strong level with ofsatisfaction outcomes for children. Family participants for familiesinorder to improve permanency placement, visitation, andtreatment services reaching agreements regarding openadoption, welfare cases to assistinclarifyingissuesand trained mediators in569child provided services and nine highlyskilled year 2020,theprogram’s cases. fiscal In neglect in childabuseand professionals involved and childwelfare between familymembers facilitates communication Mediation ProgramCourt theChildren’sservice, Now init’s 21styear of Children’s Court Mediation Program • • • • • person meetingsbecome possible. hopes to builduponinthefuture whenin- meeting, atradition2020 quarterly theCCIC legislative reception preceding theJanuary Legislative Reception. HeldtheCCIC’s first 2020legislative session. January CreditSchool for Transfer Students duringthe successfully advocated for Senate Bill130- Legislation. The CCIC Legislative Committee CreditSchool for Transfer Students Acceptance.”Radical “Walking the Talk: Prevention, and Support, more than1,000registrants. The themewas annual Children’s Law Institute, whichdrew Children’s Law Institute. Heldthe27th custody. psychotropic medication for children inCYFD judges regarding theprescription anduseof multiple trainings for Children’s Court Training. Collaborated to withCYFD provide Mexico’s childwelfare system. of children andfamiliesinvolved inNew systematic improvement ofrepresentation the Legislature recommending meansfor 10)whichcompleted toMemorial itsreport Representation Task Force (created by Senate Task Force theFamily Supported Support. PROGRAMS Abuse and Neglect Representation. 90 abuse and Neglect Abuse Representation. including 3 nonprofit and neglect attorneys, attorneys, 4 appellate legal organizations, provided health attorneys and 13 mental than 2,000 cases. in more representation CAAF Sponsorship. Institute Law Children’s 100 attorneys supported approximately Law the Children’s at in their attendance care, unemployment, and obtaining federal federal obtaining and unemployment, care, payments. stimulus the Supreme to Making recommendations Court evictions about staying and pandemic. during the garnishment Bernalillo with the Partnering County CourtMetropolitan and the city of a settlement develop to Albuquerque and assist landlords to program facilitation eviction cases. in stayed tenants and Aid Legal with New Mexico Working to in courts the state self-help centers around people legal clinics so that establish remote still able to were themselves representing of the constraints with legal help even access the pandemic. 32 • • • • • The New Mexico Judiciary New Mexico to The is committed indigent for quality legal representation providing requires parties when the law in civil proceedings the Among the courtthat an attorney. appoint in abuse and parents served children clients are health and mental and neglect parentage, cases, cases. and guardianship disabilities, (AOC) Courts Office of the Administrative The compliance ensures oversight, fiscal provides attorneys, by obligations with contractual Court with the collaboratively and works Wolfe and the Corinne Project Improvement offer to Justice Child and Family for Center continuing cost or reduced free attorneys AOC The and trial skillseducation training. its effortsto equitably allocate continues on quality focus funds while maintaining representation. During FY20: Court Appointed Attorney Fund Attorney Appointed Court

Hosting biweekly meetings of legal service and resources information share to providers challenges facing low about COVID-related including New Mexicans, and middle income medical to access evictions, foreclosures,

• Coverage from media campaign highlighting New highlighting media campaign from Coverage those for legal service as resources providers Mexico’s in need. These include: These The commission addressed significant civil legal significant addressed commission The the by New Mexicans for challenges created downturn. economic pandemic and the resulting The New Mexico Commission on Access to to on Access Commission New Mexico The initiative All” for “Justice its continued Justice civil with essential assist people to designed on focused initiative year’s This legal needs. on the civil legal challenges brought addressing pandemic. the COVID-19 by Commission on Access to Justice to on Access Commission The COVID-19 public health emergency public health COVID-19 The in mid- program the affected significantly quicklyworked to and mediators Staff March. the deliverytransition of services in-person from owes program The via the internet. remotely to to thanks and many deal of gratitude a great and ability their willingness for its mediators conducting to remote seamlessly transition to One important sessions. mediation lesson mediation learned during the pandemic: remote services deliver as a useful option to will remain parts rural in more of the state. the mediation services,the mediation family 94% of with participants fair, was reporting the mediator that the during their views present they could that other participants (85%), mediation to listened they (79%), and that the mediation them during (83%). again if offered use mediation would PROGRAMS • • • CAAF Administration CAAF Attorneys Non-Contract Cases Civil other and Health Mental in Parties Indigent for Attorneys Contract Cases Neglect and Abuse in Parents and Children for Attorneys Contract attorneys across thestate. for Trial Advocacy for Abuse andNeglect training throughskills theNational Institute toCYFD provide comprehensive trial-specific Collaboration.CYFD Worked jointly with children to exit foster care. a significant decrease inthetimeit took indicates thecaseswhich utilized FAP saw cases. and neglect dataThe preliminary approach to legalrepresentation inabuse specifically designed asaninterdisciplinary FAP whichis inthe13thand2ndDistricts, Continued expansion ofthe to support Expanded Family Advocacy Program (FAP). intheUnited States.Court American families. ICWAThis isonlythesixth thespecificneedsofNativedesigned to serve the Second JudicialDistrict’s Children’s Court, Indian Childfirst Welfare (ICWA) Act in Court, creation andimplementation ofNewMexico’s Child Indian Welfare the Act. Supported education andtraining onchildwelfare cases. Institute, whichprovides continuing 6% 1% FY20 Court AppointedFY20 Court Attorney 3% Expenditures 90% 33 CASA at aglance: CASA schools, according to national data. enter foster care andismore likely to succeed in a safe andpermanent home, halfaslikely to re- appointed specialadvocate ismore likely to find keeping achildinfoster care. Achildwithacourt costs lessthanone month advocacy of CASA possible decisionfor eachchild. year One of recommendations inorder to make thebest advocates and inform judgeswithreports through thechild welfare system. The volunteer individualized asthechildren advocacy move volunteers whoprovide foster children with for Children ofcommunity-based isanetwork AppointedCourt SpecialAdvocates (CASA) Court Appointed Special Advocates when acredible threat finding ismade. of protection cases. formsThese are court used of firearm forms filedindomesticviolence order the court. The following data shows thenumber a statement ofnon-relinquishment isfiledwith doesnotown anyrestrained firearms, party then safety ofthehouseholdmember.” the If party “presents acredible threat to thephysical makes aseparate finding that the restrained order ofprotection (DVOP) caseifthejudge relinquishment offirearms ina domestic violence A newstate law allows judgesto order the Domestic Violence –Firearm Relinquishment • • • • 1,050 caseswere assigned aCASA. from aCASA. 1,835 children andyouth received support children infoster care. donated 46,941hoursto advocate for volunteers754 trained andsupervised programs15 CASA in29counties. programs house communities. These and in courtrooms childrenand neglected interests ofabused advocate for thebest citizen-volunteers to train and support programs that recruit, PROGRAMS Judicial District). The program worked with worked program The Judicial District). 30, and June 1 through Feb. 27 families from 2020, September 43 families by to grew that cases a reduction in child welfare despite during the pandemic. with Contracted Professionals. Licensed social workers, level master 10 licensed parent three attorneys, 16 respondent one clinical social work peer mentors, for Center as the National as well consultant which leads an independent Courts, State and Recruitment of the program. evaluation is peer mentors of qualified parent training add at hopes to ongoing and the program in FY21. more least two a practice guide Created Best Practices. the structure of the program develop to contracted and outline best practices for practitioners. Provided Stakeholders. for Training sessions for training interactive monthly practitioners and the wider both program community. child welfare the Family Assisted Model. NMFAP The which was Force, Task Representation memorial to a legislative by created structure to a new statewide recommend the quality of legal representation improve and families in abuse and children for model is NMFAP’s The neglect proceedings. and the task force “best practice” a considered in its it making upon recommendations drew report.June 2020 final 34 NMFAP Interdisciplinary Panel Presentation, New Presentation, Interdisciplinary Panel NMFAP January Institute Conference, Law Children’s Mexico Parent NMFAP Right Hubbard, – Queva to 2020. Left CYFD Managing Tessman, Cynthia Mentor; Peer DiFiore, 13th JDC; Caitlin Davis, Judge John Attorney; CYFD Mosley, Cantrell Worker; Social Lead NMFAP GAL/Youth Klages, Supervisor;Permanency Peter Attorney Lead Gunderson, NMFAP Andrea Attorney; • • • • The New Mexico Family Family New Mexico The Program Advocacy parents provides (NMFAP) cases in child welfare with an interdisciplinary of comprised legal team social worker a lawyer, peer mentor. and parent

In its third year, NMFAP is funded is funded NMFAP year, In its third Funded. federal million $7.7 year, a five through with the Children’s agreement cooperative Department of Health and of the U.S. Bureau funding expands grant The Human Services. startedthe efforts in 2013 of a pilot initiative County. in Sandoval The Implementation. Children’s Full start to full the program approved Bureau taking and begin cases in implementation (13th Valencia 2020 in Sandoval, February Judicial District) (2nd and Bernalillo counties

• •

The team collaborates to give needed support give to collaborates team The families when help reunify to in order parents to ability to the parents’ possible and strengthen children. their for care Family Advocacy Program Advocacy Family Firearm relinquishment forms were filed in 361 filed in were forms relinquishment Firearm from cases protection of order violence domestic the judge finding June 2020 with to July 2019 party restrained the that a posed separately party. the protected to threat credible parties 40 restrained Receipt. Relinquishment firearms relinquished threat be a credible to found firearms or a federal enforcement either law to court. the to receipt a and submitted licensee Of the 361 of Non-Relinquishment. Declaration of non-relinquishment a declaration cases, total court filed with the was by the form in 321 cases partyrestrained did not own/possess they stating could be surrendered. that firearms any had the highest number counties following The filed:forms Bernalillo relinquishment of firearm (40) and (84), Sandoval Fe (43), Santa (44), Chavez did not have counties following The (69). Valencia Catron, forms filed: relinquishment firearm any Lea, Hidalgo, Harding, Guadalupe, Grant, Curry, Socorro, Sierra, Roosevelt, Mora, McKinley, Luna, and Union. Torrance, PROGRAMS During the 2020 fiscal the2020fiscal During year, theHRD: discrimination, andretaliation. and investigations into claimsofharassment, planning, thegrievance andcomplaint process, anddevelopment,performance workforce training, benefitsmanagement, payroll, employee relations, positionmanagement, and retention, classification, and compensation, community, includingrecruitment, selection, human resource management to thejudicial committed to providing effective, high-quality 2,000 judicialofficers andemployees. TheHRDis Resources approximately (HRD) Division serves The Administrative Human ofthe Office Courts Human Resources Division • • • • • • the state court system.the state court ofthe operational effectiveness of support various standard operating procedures in Personnel Rules andPolicies, anddeveloped Drafted andrevised theJudicialBranch classifications to attract, recruit, andhire talent. job Crafted more than180judiciary COVID-19 issues. publichealthemergency Response Emergency Team (ERT)addressing intheSupremeActively participated Court’s were given virtually. emergency, (15)trainings six(6)ofthefifteen statewide. to Due thepublichealth to approximately 130judicial employees Provided newemployee orientation training increased cybersecurity. user-friendly system whichincludes recruitment system “Job Editor” to amore converting andupgrading theJudiciary’s theHRDhasworkedDivision, toward withJudicialInformation conjunction In rates andturnover have declined. andretainattract qualified workers. Vacancy specialist classificationsto allow the courts improved salariesfor thejudicial starting with step increases. pay Higher ranges and advance employees through theirpay range career pay progression(WIP) component to Judiciary’s Workforce Investment Plan Successfully continued to implement the Workforce Investment Plan(WIP). 35 Moses SuleimanandLoreenMoses Mendiola. Paulman-Rodriguez, Laflin, Michael Sandoval, Victoria L-R) Nathan Hale, Tamara Roybal, Salazar, Nicole Lynette (Top Human Resources staffmeetvirtually: Division In the2020fiscal In year, JID: AutomationMunicipal Court Fund. to andtechnical allstate oversight courts ofthe of theCourts. JIDprovides technology support Judicial Information Division • • • • • Resources staff. Human Court training for theDistrict humanresources and provided one-on-one Courts, and training manualfor theDistrict Developed aHumanResources training stand-by hours taken. wellness, FMLA administrative leave, and wide: fitnessand codes judiciary reporting Developed andimplemented newtime evaluations for FY2020. Received 100%oftheAOC performance form statewide.evaluation short Implemented anddeveloped aperformance connections wereconnections established. pandemic. 500 Over VPN andremote access employees to telework during theCOVID-19 Significantly for expanded technical services Expanded Teleworking Services. Administrative Office to thedirector ofthe officer, who reports the chieftechnology and isdirected by New Mexico Judiciary technology armofthe isthe (JID) Division The JudicialInformation PROGRAMS Starting in fiscal Evaluations. 64 Retention year fiscal through 2019 and continuing year conducted retention 2020, the commission of 64 districtevaluations court judges the 2020 general for retention standing for its online posted commission The election. 61 judges and “retain” to recommendations Denise JPEC Chair judges. three retain not to a retired Vice-Chair James Hall, and Torres district the court also announced judge, to conference a news at recommendations voters. to information the help disseminate In FY20, the Evaluations. 17 Interim performedcommission evaluations interim one Court Court justice, one Supreme for judge and 15 Bernalilloof Appeals County CourtMetropolitan judges subject to election. in the 2022 general retention 36 • • Judicial Performance Education Education Performance Judicial Commission nonpartisan, independent, JPEC is an volunteer the of accountability public promotes that group Judiciary while preserving judicial independence. Court the 15 appoints Supreme state The lawyers – seven members of the commission by nominations – from non-lawyers and eight of the House, speaker governor, the Chief Justice, House minority tempore, pro president Senate of minority Senate and president leader leader, Bar of New Mexico. the State voters to information provides commission The election every and offers retention judicial before help them judges to performance to feedback look at JPEC evaluations The their work. improve communication fairness, legal ability, a judge’s temperament attentiveness, preparation, skills, court proceedings. over and control Developed and launched the and launched Developed Lookup. Case Lookup, Case first mobile app, Judiciary’s court to access convenient which provides smartphones from and case information other portable electronic devices. Increased Speeds. Internet Increased court multiple speeds for sites, internet and established particularly areas, in rural outages. connections prevent to redundant support videos to training Created Training. courtteleworking conducted staff and nearly 1,500 sessions for training remote operation, training division’s The participants. how-to also prepared University,” “JID called use judges to videos with best practices for conducting hearings and other in remotely proceedings. and Developed Procedures. New operating standard 37 new implemented in the uniformity more bring to procedures of court and processing cases, docketing consistent, more which also helps ensure courtvalid data. types 29 new of Reports.New Created reportselectronic assist court data to and partners justice in analyzing and improving court procedures. Service. Responded Outstanding Customer receiving than 4,000 service more to requests, satisfactiona 98.8% customer rating. 16 Upgraded Systems. Recording Upgrading and 10 mixers systems courtdigital recording to required courts, which are in magistrate of preliminary for hearings a record maintain defendants. felony Significantly Significantly Hearings. Remote Expanded the abilityexpanded of courts conduct to and telephone, video by proceedings first video Court’s the Supreme including services new video JID deployed hearing. for new code capacity),(doubled wrote new reports track developed and to databases Video changes in court case management. jails saved in with defendants arraignments the eliminating by $5.4 million an estimated jails to transport from need to defendants courthouses in-person hearings. for • • • • • • • • PROGRAMS system that: management statewideusing aweb-based jury completed Division the thirdThe year Jury of there trialsinFY20. was a1.38%decrease injury from late March until July. Compared to FY19, trials FY19, andreflected thesuspensionofjury to NewMexicans. This was a.17%decrease from summons magistrate sent 160,073jury courts thefiscal During year, metropolitan, district, and ordered by theSupreme Court. health safeguards andCOVID-safe practices operations toto comply withpublic adjustjury the divisionfaced many changesasitworked ofFY20, thelasttwo quarters During each court. of trialsbasedonsafety plansestablishedfor COVID-19 pandemicandastaggered resumption trialsstatewide becauseofthe suspension ofjury Division managed a fiscal In year 2020,theJury to improve experience. service theoverall jury different procedures, processes, and technology iscommittedDivision to exploring newand asjurors.the needsofcitizens serving The Jury were to bestaddress establishedto assistcourts Division) (Jury Division Jury oftheOffice Courts the Administrative and Service Jury Improvement of Committee for the Supreme Court’s The NewMexico Services Jury protocols, including jurors. mustfollowEveryone entering safety acourthouse • postponements and check service status.postponements andcheckservice documents to request courts, excusals and duty.summoned for jury Jurors cansubmit Offers convenient for people onlineservices 37 Among thefiscal year 2020highlights: strides to implement JDAI statewide. pandemic, theLeadership Team continued its for thelast15years. Despite theCOVID-19 County hasbeenamodelJDAI site inthecountry success withoutsacrificingpublicsafety. Bernalillo racial andethnicdisparitiespromote youth detentionreduce ofyouth, unnecessary reduce Association ofCounties. goalsare to The primary and Families andtheNewMexico Department branch ofgovernment, theChildren, Youth (JDAI) isacollaborative ofthejudicial effort The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative • • • • • • • Division. Permits by 24/7remote theJury support upload documents. location to viewandeditajuror’s profile and allowingLinks alltrialcourts, usersat any vendor. summonses, whichare mailedbyof jury a Improves thecreation, editingandprocessing two weeks ofprocessing. approval. Checksare mailedto jurors within auditsforsubmits weekly review and Speeds uppayroll processing. Eachcourt emergency. duringtheCOVID-19 publichealth service Response Team managechangesinjury helped theSupreme anditsEmergency Court to manage jurors more efficiently. This data Generates real-time statistical data for courts and mail. They canreceive notifications by email, text processing delays. and addressing reasons underlying for case results, reducing racial andethnic disparities, Developing strategies focused onequitable placement. and exiting detention, commitment and how many andwhere youth are entering and data to focused identify decision-making Working onajuvenile justice “system map” PROGRAMS to COVID-19, continuing to provide quality provide to continuing COVID-19, to technology. services innovative through Began translating Translations. Expanded Vietnamese, into content and web forms in ASL video format, and Arabic, Chinese, translation extensive ongoing to addition Spanish, including into materials of written information. COVID-19 of years 10 Celebrated Anniversary. 10-Year which Language Access, for the NM Center and language and certifiestrains interpreters who serve specialists, in the public access full out-of-courtroom Provided settings. 65 new Judiciary scholarships for employees as train to every of the state from corner specialists. language access Expanded Initiatives. Justice to Access access increase projects that innovative courtto services: bilingual court forms (DV)in domestic violence and domestic cases; courts DV forms relations accepting English; filled out in a language other than people assist to a scribing pilot program read unable to when they are with forms paperworkor complete because of LEP, disability or illiteracy; and a partnership with hands-on offers Clinic that practice UNM Law free while providing new interpreters for services the community and to interpretation students. law for training 38 • • •

“Clara” Interactive Kiosk. Implemented Interactive “Clara” a Smart Judicial District Kiosk the First at statewide Court serve for to as a prototype (AI) artificialkiosk The intelligence expansion. a multilingual integrates “human face” with a language with natural called Clara avatar and other command, voice processing, help to interactive provide to technologies courthouse Services users. include directions, the ability connect to with a court FAQs, forms, remotely. clerk and an interpreter “Un Launched the Series. Inspirational conversation inspirarnos” para momento interviews with inspirational featuring series, leaders in the New Mexican and national justice. to of access arena online interactive Offered ASL Classes. of classes free Language (ASL) Sign American Judiciary. the entire to charge implemented . Fully Billing System New scheduling and a new court interpreter paperless billing system. Expanded video Interpreting. Remote as a response statewide interpreting remote An online presentation about reform about reform presentation online An CA and King in the San Francisco, initiatives Detention: “No More WA, (Seattle), County Zero Toward Move Counties Coast West Two Detention.” Addressing current detention environment environment detention current Addressing impacts,and effects the including the of pandemic.

• • • • • • • In fiscal year 2020, Language Access Services:Access Language year 2020, In fiscal Language Access ServicesLanguage Access (LAS) of the Courts Office of the coordinates Administrative other and and funds court interpreting services equal ensure access to communication courts people with limited the state for to access well as deaf and English proficiency as (LEP) LAS also supports of hearing individuals. hard court judges and by providing court users staff, translation, and website document training, services on-demand interpreting signage, remote equipment. listening and assistive Language Access Services Language Access PROGRAMS MCMP’s continued focus: and coach at ofLaw. theUNMSchool Office,Ombudsman andasamediation trainer bureau, Management Division/ADR Risk UNM setfrom andskill histimeatknowledge The Mexico ADRcommunity. Mr. Pando bringshis professional background rooted intheNew a trained andexperienced mediator witha and coordinating volunteers. JoshPando is extensive experience mediating, training adults, manager positionwithacandidate whohas AOC recently filledtheMCMPstatewide program for mediation duringaglobalpandemic. dynamic, andsustainableway to meettheneed continues to focus onbuildingacreative, Magistrate Mediation Program Court (MCMP) only ableto bedoneat aphysical table. The maximized, andevolves aprocess thought to mediation, allows program resources to be indicate that remote mediation expands access 120 mediations viaaudio/visualplatforms as apilotprogram, data early from more than mediationsconducted remotely. Established program coordinators andvolunteer mediators suspended dueto concerns over COVID-19 and March, allin-personmediation sessionswere a remote mediation pilot. Beginning inmid- 2020,theprogram begandevelopingJanuary resolution (ADR), usingamentorship model. In inalternativeas theyhonetheirskills dispute mentor,supervise, andevaluate thevolunteers Magistrate Court Mediation Program • • other ADRprograms and professionals. with Expandcollaboration opportunities recruitment process. mediators through acontinuous on-boarding Build adeeproster ofskilled, capable Contracted coordinators Santa Fe, and Taos. Las Cruces, Los Lunas, Bernalillo,Belen, Clovis, including inAlamogordo, throughout thestate, eight magistrate courts incivilcases to parties person mediation services volunteers provide in- Approximately 60 39 3, 2019at www.NMOneSource.com. provided initsentirety free to thepubliconMay first timeinstate history, theonlinedatabase was Mexico andUnited States constitutions. For the session laws, Attorney General opinions, andNew body ofcaselaw, NewMexico RulesAnnotated, New Mexico Statutes Annotated, theuniform database ofcurrent andhistorical versions ofthe The commission maintains theofficialmaster asthestate’sfunction officiallegalpublisher. a statewide andprovides judicialentity avital The NewMexico Compilation Commission is New Mexico Compilation Commission • • • • • • service to thepublic ororganizationservice members. organization webpublic service sites as a were posted oncountless agency, and court opinions,specific statutes, forms or court court NMOneSource.com, orpinpoint linksto Positive Publicity. Linksfrom www. training materials. educational andprofessional associations for creation from OneSource was leveraged by Training Pamphlets. Custom pamphlet and print legalresearch andservices. products customarily spent onsubscriptionsfor online critical government andprivate funds sector were performed. This free access saved more than5millionsearches anddownloads to self-represented litigants andbusinesses, Free Access. From state agenciesto courts Matomo real-time statistical tracking. abbreviated publicaccess site, according to compared to theprevious unannotated, completed onNMOneSource in actions Increased.Actions There was a131%increase Meets.Google teleconferencing platforms suchasZoom and currentRemain andfluent in members staffand educatecommunity court 40-hour basicmediation classto train and Create by establishinga sustainability PROGRAMS $17.86 $31.04 $55.22 $20.76 $30.27 $23.18 Daily Cost Per Patient Per 7.4% 24.3% 22.9% 21.8% 23.4% 13.7% Graduate Graduate Recidivism (Re-arrest) Rate 63% 80.9% 81.3% 63.5% 43.2% 47.1% Graduation Graduation 51 28 47 19 178 187 Graduation Several field supervision Several officers court misdemeanor and members team through April staff from program compliance were 30 hours Almost June. the end of often presentations training to devoted and addressing understanding to related About midst of the pandemic. in the concerns these special attended 1,000 professionals events. meetings and training Management Information Statewide develop to PSC selected a vendor System. the first cloud-based and implement system management information statewide solving courts problem in New Mexico, for collection, data end which will revolutionize and analytics, user support, case processing, entering should be programs All evaluation. 2020 and the end of by consistently data reporting for purposes by data “clean” have the end of FY21. New App. support and used a safety app the AOC with a Albuquerque-based developed app can capture The company. technology number of in the field, on time spent data of time with each amount miles driven, participant and the final disposition of measure is to the goals Among discharge. the impact of field services on participant the evaluate to be able and to outcomes training quality the individual visits for of share to be available may Data purposes. of Drug Court Association the National at next annual conference Professionals summer. of NM update An Drug Court Standards. the began. Once Drug Court Standards by and approved is completed update Court, an enhanced Supreme the state measuring certification process will be standards with the revised alignment implemented. 40 Program Type Program Veterans Court Veterans DWI Drug Court DWI • • • Adult Drug Court Adult Juvenile Drug Court Juvenile Family Dependency Family Mental Health Court Health Mental New Mexico’s 52 New Mexico’s solving courtsproblem to an alternative offer revolving the costly door of incarceration. programs, year-long The of a team by overseen the treat professionals, The transition of the transition The

Cloud Transition. Cloud Transition. Print versions of the of the versions Print Publications. Print courtand specialty rules, statutes, annotated important remain state the publications to library insufficiencies, broadband address to Through user preferences. needs and patrons’ a to awarded license content an exclusive apps and mobile publisher, law national for publications print added to eBooks were servicewhen internet is ease of reference New Mexico. in rural unavailable Compilation Commission’s servers and Commission’s Compilation publishing functions cloud in May the to the seamless for the way 2019 paved obligations of the agency’s management during the COVID-19 and responsibilities restrictions and working remotely. A statewide behavioral behavioral A statewide Manager. Statewide the added to health manager position was solving courtproblem (PSC) department of (AOC). Courts Office of the the Administrative manager is supporting new The a behavioral the Supreme health summit planned by training consultation, Court in 2021, provides local districts, and will to and other assistance certification in FY21. help with program PSC departmentThe 40 hosted Training. solving problem hours of online meetings for • •

• • Problem Solving Courts Courts Solving Problem In fiscal year 2020: In fiscal offender’s addictioncommon illness – or mental offender’s – while criminal behavior of repeat drivers supporting accountable and holding the offender visits probation drug tests, frequent through that found have Studies and judicial hearings. than effective drug courts times more two are times less re-arrest and four prison in preventing than prison. expensive PROGRAMS wellness courts. domestic relations, andjuvenile justice, drug/ judges oncommon issuessuchas childwelfare, collaboration between state andtribalcourt encourage andfacilitate communication and tribal judges. The consortium’s missionisto body consisting ofseven state andseven isaSupremeadvisory Court (TSJC) Consortium The NewMexico Tribal-State Judicial Tribal-State Judicial Consortium Sandoval and Valencia (Thirteenth). Colfax (Eighth), Juan(Eleventh), San andCibola, (Fifth), Grant, Hidalgo, andLuna (Sixth), Taos and (Fourth), Chaves, Miguel San Eddy, andLea Ana (Third), (Second), Doña Bernalillo District), Arriba, andSanta FeRio counties (First Judicial Los18 counties inninejudicialdistricts: Alamos, New Mexico has13SESVproviders operating in middle ofparental disputes. protecting children andremoving themfrom the exchanges insafe, child-friendlyenvironments, providers whomonitorlocal service visitsand parentage, anddomesticviolence casesto refer courts divorce,District separation, custody, Visitation.Supervised and StandardsNew Mexico Court for Safe Exchange Supervised Visitation andadhere Network to the providers have stafftrained by theinternational Mexico New times ofhighfamilyconflict. SESV while offering protection from harmduring relationships between children andtheirparents provides forprogram of thepreservation (SESV) The Safe Exchange &Supervised Visitation Safe Exchange andSupervised Visitation Supervised Visits Supervised Hours ofService Positive Impact and Exchanges on Families Supervised Visits Supervised 495 Children 13,484 Served 6,959 671 Adults Served Safe ExchangesSafe 4,453 41 legislation for astate ICWA law. andotherinterestedstate on courts parties withtribes, isalsoworking CYFD,consortium are properly collected, tracked andanalyzed; the tostate ensuretypes ofdata courts that specific and closelywith CYFD isworking consortium American children isdetermined by tribes. The QEWs andensuringtribalmembershipofNative list, recognizing thequalifications and roles of cases, theneedfor state judgesto usetheQEW witnesses (QEWs)qualified expert for ICWA CYFD difficulties inthe process forselecting state courts. Work hascentered onaddressing to notifytribesandfamiliesofcasespendingin data thenecessary identify andcollect courts (ICWA).Act Focused and state onensuringCYFD Work inthearea Child oftheIndian Welfare defendants whenavailable. community oralternative andprogramscourt, services inthe tribalhealing andwellnessstate court, specialty allow defendants to receive through a services tribal andstate and NewMexico jurisdictions for adultandjuvenile casesto transfer between with thegoalofestablishingatransfer process Establishing atransfer process. continue Efforts due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. matter experts. subject Workgroups have stalled Child Indian Welfare andother Consortium adoptionplan istheNM for acustomary Tribal workgroup to develop policiesandprocedures Adoption instate inthe Included courts. changes for implementing Tribal Customary onHM51to propose statutory Department to work withtheChildren, Youth andFamilies continuesHouse 51.The Memorial consortium Child and Indian Welfare (ICWA). Act Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), Committee), (formerly theDVCourt Courts Specialty State Rapport/Communication, Services, initiatives throughout theyear: Full Faith &Credit/ The following committees focus onconsortium inFY20. issueswerejurisdictional heldvirtually consortium’s meetingto address cross- quarterly Meetings. All but oneofthe Annual Quarterly on andoffthe reservation. for Nativeservices American children andfamilies and leadership. implementation of state Support judges. Educate andtrain state andtribaljudges Goals. Create between state andtribal rapport PROGRAMS and collaborate regarding construction and regarding collaborate and and/or plans of treatment implementation adjudication. Court Preliminary Rule 10-211, Children’s Inquiry; D. of petition, section filing 42 • Co-chairs Conference. Regional Southwest members well as and Randy Collins, Torres Renee with been involved of the consortium, have Office Administrative by the an effort initiated Court Supreme of the Courts of the Arizona Tribal and State Regional hold a Southwest to is to goal of the webinars The Courts Conference. courts with tribal and state of Arizona, convene discuss to and Utah Nevada Colorado, California, including in common, have issues the states orders tribal customary adoption/guardianship, specialty courts and enforcement, of protection and juvenile cross-jurisdictional cooperation, alternatives. detention Seating is safely spaced in a jury spaced in the McKinley Seating is safely County box courthouse public health in Gallup during the COVID emergency. NMSA 32A-1-8(E), “Jurisdiction of the court; “Jurisdiction NMSA 32A-1-8(E), is the consideration tribal court jurisdiction,” the to of references the removal propose to obtaining an intergovernmental need for obtaining full for as a prerequisite agreement of tribal court when faith and credit orders by referred are juveniles American Native services.tribal court state to and Tribes” Indian to “Notice NMSA 32A-1-14, and parole probation “Juvenile NMSA 32A-2-5 services; probation juvenile establishment; in duties” and powers officers; and parole to the state require seeks to TSJC which the tribes when to earlier notification provide the juvenile to is referred a tribal juvenile to wants TSJC In the addition, system. justice consult would tribes and the state that ensure • • The consortium to The continues Statutory Review. amendments proposing and reviewing on work court and statutes rules. specific New Mexico to below: listed As Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura in Washington D.C. in November 2019 for the release of the National Judicial Opioid Task Force’s report, Courts as New Mexico Supreme Court Justices (L-R) C. Shannon Bacon, Barbara J. Vigil, David K. Thomson, and Leaders in the Crisis of Addiction. Michael E. Vigil, chief justice.

Administrative Office of the Courts celebrating the holidays in December 2019. (L-R) Administrative Office of the Courts Director Artie Pepin, Attorney Administrative Assistant Deborah Dungan and Harding County Magistrate Judge Karen Mitchell in early March 2020.

(L-R) Administrative Office of the Courts’ Lindsay Fooks, Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Jennifer DeLaney, Pat Mente with the Judicial Information Division, and Jason Clack, court Sixth Judicial District Judge Jarod Hofacket and Second Judicial District Judge operations division director, at a reception for legislators in Jane Levy during a break at annual training for judges early February.

Second Judicial District Court’s Elizabeth D. Garcia models her winning handmade mask for the Judiciary’s Mask Brigade Contest, “Chief’s Choice” Colleagues bid a fond farewell to First Judicial District Court Judge Raymond Z. Ortiz, who category. Employees statewide made masks so retired in December 2019. every employee could have two cloth masks.

New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts NMCourts.gov