N.M. Sup. Ct. Order No. S-1-AO-2024-00025

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO 1

June 20, 2024 2

NO. S-1-AO-2024-00025 3

IN THE MATTER OF REQUIREMENTS 4

FOR REQUESTING PRO TEMPORE 5

JUDGE DESIGNATIONS 6

ORDER 7

WHEREAS, the Chief Justice has authority under Article VI, Sections 3 and 8

15 of the Constitution of the State of New Mexico to designate out-of-district judges 9

pro tempore when no district court judge is available within a reasonable time to 10

hear a case, when a district cou rt judge is disqualified or otherwise unavailable to 11

expeditiously dispose of a case in the district, or in other special circumstances; 12

WHEREAS, the Chief Justice has previously issued orders regarding the 13

designation of retired judges to serve as judges pro tempore in fiscal year 2024 to 14

address case backlog in state courts throughout New Mexico using the Judges Pro 15

Tempore Fund special appropriation; 16

WHEREAS, providing clear and consistent guidelines for courts to request 17

pro tempore designations is in the best interests of judicial economy and the 18

expeditious disposition of pending matters on state court dockets by streamlining the 19

out-of-district designation process; and 20

Filed

Supreme Court of New Mexico

6/20/2024 3:24 PM

Office of the Clerk

WHEREAS, the Court having considered the foregoing and being sufficiently 1

advised, Chief Justice David K. Thomson, Justice Michael E. Vigil, Justice C. 2

Shannon Bacon, Justice Julie J. Vargas, and Justice Briana H. Zamora concurring; 3

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the attached criteria and 4

procedures for requesting out-of-district designation of judges pro tempore are 5

hereby APPROVED and ADOPTED. 6

IT IS SO ORDERED. 7

WITNESS, the Honorable David K. Thomson, Chief 8

Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New Mexico, 9

and the seal of said Court this 20th day of June, 2024. 10