N.M. Sup. Ct. Order No. S-1-AO-2025-00023

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO 1

November 14, 2025 2

NO. S-1-AO-2025-00023 3

IN THE MATTER OF THE COURTHOUSE 4

ACCESS POLICY FOR ALL COURTS IN 5

NEW MEXICO 6

ORDER 7

WHEREAS, the New Mexico Supreme Court (“Court”) has a duty to 8

faithfully apply the constitutions and laws of the United States and New Mexico; 9

WHEREAS, the Court and the New Mexico Judicial Branch are dedicated to 10

serving the community by providing equal access to justice through the fair, timely, 11

and efficient resolution of all cases; 12

WHEREAS, the Court exercises superint ending control over inferior courts 13

pursuant to the New Mexico Constitution, Article VI, Section 3; 14

WHEREAS, the Court affirms the principle that courts of law should remain 15

open and accessible to the public; 16

WHEREAS, recognizing the important ro le that courts fulfill in our 17

democracy, access to all courthouses should be free of restrictions that hinder or 18

impede the proper administration of justice; 19

WHEREAS, a policy is necessary to establish required procedures for 20

courthouse access that respects the dignity of all proceedings occurring in the 21

courthouses in New Mexico; 22

WHEREAS, the Court is committed to en suring that all courthouses in New 23

Mexico remain open and accessible to individuals, families, and businesses in order 24

to resolve disputes in accordance with the law; 25

Filed

Supreme Court of New Mexico

11/14/2025 3:49 PM

Office of the Clerk

WHEREAS, the Court is committed to ensuring that Court operations are 1

conducted safely, transparently, without undue interruption or interference, and with 2

no impediment to open public access; and 3

WHEREAS, the Court having considered the foregoing and being sufficiently 4

advised, Chief Justice Davi d K. Thomson, Justice Mich ael E. Vigil, Justice C. 5

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

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the policy set forth in Exhibit A 7

to this Order shall apply to all courthous es and buildings owned or occupied by the 8

New Mexico Judicial Branch effective November 17, 2025; and 9

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the requirements of the policy set forth in 10

this order, including Exhibit A, may be enforced by the contempt powers of each 11

court subject to this policy.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 12

WITNESS, the Honorable David K. Thomson, Chief

Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New

Mexico, and the seal of said Court this 14th day of

November, 2025.

Exhibit A

COURTHOUSE ACCESS POLICY

APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all courthouses and any other building owned or occupied by the New

Mexico Judicial Branch.

In order to maintain an open and safe environment in which parties, witnesses, jurors, staff, and

others can participate in court proceedings an d conduct business in a manner that is free of

harassment or threats to their security or fr eedom, the Court issues the following required

procedures:

DEFINITIONS

“Administrative Authority” means the individual or designee with the primary responsibility to

supervise and coordinate the administration of a judicial entity or as designated by the Chief Judge

and approved by the Supreme Court Order.

“Courthouse” means any building owned or occupied by the New Mexico Judicial Branch for the

administration of justice.

“On-Site Law Enforcement Officer” means a New Mexico licensed law enforcement officer whose

agency is statutorily or contractually required to provide security to a Courthouse when the officer

is in the actual performance of security duties at a Courthouse.

“Outside Law Enforcement Officer” means any other law enforcement officer, whether local, state,

tribal, or federal.

“Weapon” means any deadly weapon as defi ned by NMSA 1978, Section 30-1-12, and also

includes any knife, mace, pepper spray, or other caustic chemicals.

COURTHOUSE ACCESS

Everyone who enters the Courthouse is subject to security screening. Screening may include but

is not limited to (1) both person and belonging s going through a magnetometer, x-ray or other

scanning device, (2) a physical pat down, (3) scanning with a me tal detecting wand and/or (4)

temporary removal of face coverings, hats, sunglasse s, or other facial obst ructions at the time of

the screening.

REMOTE ACCESS TO COURTHOUSES

Courts shall continue to follow Supreme Court Order 23-8500-013 regarding remote appearance

of parties and witnesses.

LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICES

In the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, District, Metropolitan, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate

courts interpretation, translation, scribing, remote appearance and other language and ADA access

services shall continue to be provided as required by law at no cost in all courtroom proceedings

as well as all interactions with court staff and judicial officers that take place outside the

courtroom to the public, court customers, witne sses, jurors and other parties who need such

assistance.

It is the responsibility of the attorney or party to provide qualified interpretation and translation

services for witness interviews, pre-trial transcriptions and translations, and attorney/client

communications during proceedings. Courts' responsib ility for interpreters is addressed in Rules

1-103, 2-113, 3-113, 5-122, 6-115, 7-114, and 8-113 NMRA.

COURTHOUSE ACCESS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

All on-duty Outside Law Enforcement Officers shall identify themselves to On-Site Law

Enforcement when entering a Courthouse by pres enting their agency’s badge and official

credentials immediately upon entry.

PROHIBITION OF WEAPONS

No firearms or other weapons shall be brought into a Courthouse, except weapons used by the

Court’s On-Site Law Enforcement Officers. On duty, New Mexico-certified law enforcement

officers may carry firearms within a courthouse. No law enforcement officer may carry a firearm

or any other weapon when they are within a courthouse as a party to a case.

COURTHOUSE ARRESTS

To protect access to justice and ensure the orderly conduct of court business, any arrest or detention

within a Courthouse shall be conducted in a manner that does not interfere with court proceedings.

PROHIBITION OF AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDING

As part of the Court’s efforts to provide a calm, safe, and secure environment for all, and to provide

for the fair, impartial, and efficient administration of justice with the dignity and decorum befitting

a court, all photography, video or audio recording anywhere in a Courthouse is prohibited except

as may be approved by the Chief Judge or presiding judge under Rules 23-107 and 23-109 NMRA.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Courts may prohibit unauthorized persons from bringing electronic devices into the Courthouse.

Any device that is capable of recording audio or video or taking photos, or any other

communication or scanning devices (collectively “Electronic Devices”) including but not limited

to cell phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches. This is not an exhaustive list of items that may be

prohibited. The Administrative Aut hority of a Court may issue it s own administrative policy on

electronic devices consistent with this paragraph.

The Court prohibits unauthorized photography or video recording of any type by all persons in the

Courthouse. In addition to possible punishment for contempt of court, unauthorized photography,

video or audio recording will result in the revoca tion of the authorization to bring electronic

devices into the courthouse and may result in the individual’s removal from the courthouse.