N.M. Sup. Ct. Order No. S-1-AO-2023-00012

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO 1

July 17, 2023 2

NO. S-1-AO-2023-00012 3

IN THE MATTER OF THE EXPANSION 4

OF THE REMOTE VOIR DIRE PILOT 5

PROGRAM IN THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL 6

DISTRICT COURT AND THE BERNALILLO 7

COUNTY METROPOLITAN COURT 8

ORDER 9

WHEREAS, on January 30, 2023, this Court issued Order No. 23- 8500-004 10

to implement remote voir dire pilot programs in the Eighth Judicial District Court 11

and the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, limited to certain courtrooms in both 12

respective courts; 13

WHEREAS, both the Eighth Judicial District Court and the Bernalillo County 14

Metropolitan Court have recognized the value of the remote voir dire pilot program, 15

including efficiency in the jury selection process, increased juror participation, and 16

the reduction of cost of travel and time for prospective jurors; 17

WHEREAS, the Eighth Judicial District Court and the Bernalillo County 18

Metropolitan Court have recommended that the remote voir dire pilot program be 19

expanded in their respective courts to include two additional courtrooms for further 20

assessment of the remote voir dire pilot program and to provide further 21

recommendations to this Court; and 22

WHEREAS, in light of the foregoing, and the C ourt wishing to expand the 1

implementation of a remote voir dire pilot program in certain courts with certain 2

judges, for a limited time to determine whether the Court will approve the use of 3

remote voir dire on a statewide basis, and being sufficiently advised; Chief Justice 4

C. Shannon Bacon, Justice Michael E. Vigil, Justice David K. Thomson, Justice Julie 5

J. Vargas, and Justice Briana H. Zamora concurring; 6

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the recommendation to expand 7

pilot programs in the Eighth Judicia l District Court, to include Chief Judge Emilio 8

Chavez’s Courtroom and Judge Jeffrey Shannon’s Courtroom, and in the Bernalillo 9

County Metropolitan Court, to include Judge Asra I. Elliot’s Courtroom and Judge 10

Jill Martinez’s Courtroom, is APPROVED; 11

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Administrative Office of the Courts 12

shall provide periodic updates to the Supreme Court regarding the operation of the 13

Remote Voir Dire Pilot Program and shall submit an interim written report to the 14

Supreme Court on or befor e December 30, 20 23, to include an assessment of the 15

effectiveness of the Remote Voir Dire Pilot Project and any further 16

recommendations for the continued use of remote voir dire in New Mexico state 17

courts; 18

IT IS SO ORDERED. 1

WITNESS, the Honorable C. Shannon Bacon, Chief 2

Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New Mexico, 3

and the seal of said Court this 17th day of July, 2023. 4