New Mexico Court of Appeals

The New Mexico Court of Appeals is the intermediate-level appellate court for the state of New Mexico.

History

The court of appeals was created by a constitutional amendment submitted to the electorate in a special election held on September 28, 1965. The original enabling legislation established a court consisting of four judges. The court was expanded to five judges in 1972 and seven judges in 1978. In 1991, it was again expanded to ten judges, where it remains today.

The court has general appellate jurisdiction over the state district courts and certain state agencies. The only exceptions to this grant of jurisdiction are:

These cases are directly reviewed by the New Mexico Supreme Court.

Ten judges sit on the court, each with their own paralegal and law clerk. However, the Court is moving towards a two-law clerk system.