About the Courts
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court consists of five Justices and is located in Santa Fe. This is the court of last resort and has superintending control over all inferior courts and attorneys licensed in the state.
This court has mandatory appellate jurisdiction over: criminal matters in which the sentence imposed is life in prison or the death penalty, appeals from the Public Regulation Commission, appeals from the granting of writs of habeas corpus, appeals in actions challenging nominations, and removal of public officials.
Discretionary jurisdiction: denials of petitions for writ of habeas corpus, petitions for writ of certiorari to the Court of Appeals, other extraordinary writ matters, and certified questions either from the Court of Appeals or federal courts.
Court of Appeals
Ten judges preside, sitting in panels of three. The Court of Appeals has offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
This court has mandatory jurisdiction in: civil, non-capital criminal, juvenile cases; Discretionary jurisdiction in interlocutory decision cases and administrative agency appeals.
District Court
One-hundred-two judges preside. There are thirteen different districts. These are District Courts of general jurisdiction which hold jury trials.
This court will hear these types of cases: Tort, contract, real property rights, and estate. Exclusive domestic relations, mental health, appeals for administrative agencies and lower courts, miscellaneous civil jurisdiction; Misdemeanor. Exclusive criminal appeals jurisdiction; Exclusive juvenile jurisdiction.
Magistrate Court
Sixty-seven judges preside. There are 46 magistrate courts. These are courts of limited jurisdiction. Jury trials.
This court will hear these types of cases: Tort, contract, landlord/tenant rights ($0-10,000); Felony preliminary hearings; Misdemeanor, DWI/DUI and other traffic violations.
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
Nineteen judges preside. Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court is of limited jurisdiction. Jury trials.
This court will hear these types of cases: Tort, contract, landlord/tenant rights ($0-10,000); Felony first appearances; Misdemeanor, DWI/DUI, Domestic Violence and other traffic violations.
Municipal Court
Eighty-three judges preside. There are eighty-one municipal courts. These are courts of limited jurisdiction. No jury trials.
This court will hear these types of cases: Petty misdemeanors, DWI/DUI, traffic violations and other municipal ordinance violations.
Probate Court
Thirty-three judges. There are thirty-three counties. These are courts of limited jurisdiction. No jury trials.
This court will hear these types of cases: Informal probate; Estate (Hears uncontested cases. Contested cases go to district court).
LA Child Name Change Rev. 01/2025