N.M. Sup. Ct. Order No. S-1-AO-2023-00023

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO 1

November 29, 2023 2

NO. S-1-AO-2023-00023 3

IN THE MATTER OF ELECTRONIC 4

DEVICES IN THE SUPREME COURT 5

BUILDING 6

ORDER 7

WHEREAS, this matter came on for consideration by the Court upon its own 8

motion to consider the use of electronic devices in the New Mexico Supreme Court 9

Building; 10

WHEREAS, individuals with business at the Court shall conduct themselves 11

in a manner befitting the dignity of the Court; 12

WHEREAS, the Court must ensure that the operations of the Court are 13

conducted safely, transparently, without undue interruption or interference, and with 14

no impediment to open public access; 15

WHEREAS, electronic devices present security concerns given th at they are 16

capable of performing many of the functions of a computer, have internet access, 17

and can be converted for use as weapons and explosives, which could be operated 18

remotely; and 19

WHEREAS, the Court having considered the foregoing, being fully advis ed, 20

and desiring to ensure the safety and security of the Supreme Court Building; Chief 21

Justice C. Shannon Bacon, Justice Michael E. Vigil, Justice David K. Thomson, 1

Justice Julie J. Vargas, and Justice Briana H. Zamora concurring; 2

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS OR DERED that electronic devices are not 3

permitted in the Supreme Court Building unless specifically authorized by the Clerk 4

of Court, their designee, or this order; 5

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that for purposes of this order, electronic 6

devices include cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, laptop computers, devices that 7

wirelessly connect to and pair with computers and smartphones to transmit data (for 8

example, smart watches), and audio recorders, still cameras, and video cameras; 9

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the fo llowing persons are authorized to 10

bring their electronic devices into the Supreme Court Building: (1) employees of the 11

New Mexico Supreme Court and New Mexico Court of Appeals; (2) employees of 12

other judicial districts; (3) employees of the Administrative Office of the Courts; (4) 13

employees of District Attorneys’ Offices; (5) employees of the Law Offices of the 14

Public Defender; (6) law enforcement office employees (i.e., New Mexico State 15

Police, Sheriffs’ officers, City of Santa Fe officers, etc.); (7) attorneys and their staff; 16

(8) authorized vendors; (9) authorized contractors; (10) United States Postal Service 17

employees; and (11) credentialed members of the media; 18

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the only type of electronic device permitted 1

in the Supreme Cour t courtroom are cellular phones and laptops, and those 2

authorized to bring electronic devices into the Supreme Court Building shall turn off 3

or silence their cell phones when in the Supreme Court courtroom; 4

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that persons authorized to bring their electronic 5

devices into the Supreme Court Building must be able to identify themselves and the 6

entity they work for by producing their employee-issued badge, bar card, and/or 7

business card to gain entry with their electronic device; and 8

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any failure to abide by the terms of this 9

order by any person authorized to bring their electronic devices into the Supreme 10

Court Building will result in revocation of authorization to bring devices into the 11

building. 12

IT IS SO ORDERED. 13

WITNESS, the Honorable C. Shannon Bacon, Chief 14

Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New Mexico, 15

and the seal of said Court this 29th day of November, 16

2023. 17