ICYMI - Five Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court judges renewed their oaths of office on January 1, 2025, signifying the judges' renewed terms of service after being retained or elected last year's general election. Presiding Criminal Division Judge Michelle Castillo Dowler, Judge Rosemary Cosgrove-Aguilar, Judge Renée Torres and Judge Asra I. Elliott, who all begin new four-year terms after being retained by voters, and Judge Shonnetta R. Estrada, who was elected to the court after being appointed to the bench by Governor Lujan Grisham in 2022 were sworn in. Metropolitan Court Chief Judge Joshua J. Sánchez administered the oaths during a ceremony with county officials. Not pictured are Metropolitan Court Judges Yvette K. Gonzales, Felicia Blea-Rivera and Nina Safier, who were also retained in the general election and renewed their oaths of office prior to the ceremony. #nmcourts #NewMexico

New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice David K. Thomson delivers the State of the Judiciary address today at 11:00 a.m. in the House chamber at the State Capitol, outlining 2025 legislative priorities and highlighting accomplishments. Watch livestream on https://lnkd.in/eWMEPUe5 #nmcourts #NewMexico #NewMexicoStateLegislature

District or magistrate courts in Raton, Clayton, Estancia, Santa Fe, Moriarity, and Springer are on a 2-hour delay because of freezing temperatures. Please check local listings and visit nmcourts.gov #nmcourts #NewMexico nmcourts.gov

Monday, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a National Day of Service that encourages all Americans to improve their communities by volunteering. #nmcourts #NewMexico #nmcourts #NewMexico

This ADA survey won't take more than 5 minutes! We still need your feedback New Mexico residents! The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination in access to jobs, public accommodations, government services, public transportation, and telecommunications. The ADA requires all public entities with over 50 employees to complete an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan to find barriers that may prevent individuals with disabilities from participating in court activities, programs, or services or from entering or moving throughout our buildings. The New Mexico Courts have contracted with Altura Solutions, LLC, to conduct an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, including in-person building and court services assessments. They will conduct site visits to assess buildings and other physical assets and seek input from people who use the courts in areas where ADA improvements are needed. Please scan the QR code or go to https://lnkd.in/gqrtZu65 to obtain additional information about the project and to take the survey. #nmcourts #NewMexico

Stan Whitaker will always have the words "Honorable" and "Distinguished" associated with him. Congratulations to Second Judicial District Court Judge Stan Whitaker (Retired), who recieved the 2024 Distinguished Service Award from the Albuquerque Bar Association! From the press release: Judge Whitaker's distinguished career is marked by his leadership and service in several key roles within the Judiciary.  He served as Chief Judge during the COVID-19 pandemic and senior Judge of the criminal division of the Second Judicial District Court, where he provided strong leadership and successfully managed court operations. “Judge Whitaker’s service to the community and leadership to this court has truly been remarkable,” said Chief Judge Marie Ward. “He has a reputation in the legal community of high intellect, integrity, compassion and fairness. In addition, the Second Judicial District Court judges and staff admire his positivity, thoughtfulness, and genuine care for others. I am elated that the Albuquerque Bar Association has recognized Judge Whitaker’s impressive public service.” Judge Whitaker retired from the bench on December 21, 2024 after more than 18 years of service. Before becoming a district court judge, he served as a Domestic Violence Special Commissioner in the Family Court Division of the 2nd Judicial District Court and worked as an assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. For all Second Judicial District Court Announcements please visit https://lnkd.in/gPsCKTk3  #nmcourts #AlbuquerqueBarAssociation #NewMexico

Now, people representing themselves in a court case and any juror can receive help filling out court forms through scribing services statewide.   State courts in all 33 counties offer scribing services to any self-represented litigants and to people summoned to jury duty who need help in completing their juror questionnaire. Trained court employees read the form aloud, write down a person’s answers word-for-word, and read the answers back to the individual. A completed form is provided to the person, who can then submit it to the court. Legal advice cannot be provided by the scribes. “Scribes seek to bring a new level of access to the legal system in a state that struggles with literacy issues,” said Peggy Cadwell, the AOC’s statewide ADA Title II coordinator. About 29 percent of the state’s population has low literacy, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Different forms are required for various procedural steps in a court case, such as a petition to start a divorce proceeding or to seek a domestic violence restraining order. Supreme Court approved forms are available online - https://lnkd.in/gv6nUGaK . More info about scribing services here: https://lnkd.in/gmU5iEg7 Full Press Release: https://lnkd.in/gmU5iEg7 #nmcourts #NewMexico #NMATJ

To the public we serve, our justice partners, and our dedicated judicial officers and employees - Happy Holidays! #nmcourts #NewMexico

Congratulations to Jamie Lindemann, who recently completed the Institute of Court Management's Certified Court Manager program, offered by #NationalCenterforStateCourts! Jamie is part of the Court Operations Analysis Team (COAT) at the Administrative Office of the Courts. #nmcourts #NewMexico

Legal Resources for the Elderly Program @StateBarofNM webinar TODAY at 11 a.m. covering Powers of Attorney, Advance Healthcare Directives, probate, and more. Call 505-797-6005 & leave message w/name and email address. https://lnkd.in/gb-CkfZF #NMATJ #nmcourts #NewMexico