Santa Fe County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

With a population of over 154,400, Santa Fe County is the third most populated county in New Mexico. It was created in 1852 and has a land area of 1,909 square miles. The City of Santa Fe is its largest city and county seat. The Santa Fe County court system comprises District, Magistrate, Probate, and Municipal Courts. These courts ensure that the residents of Sante Fe County have access to justice and their rights are not trampled on. Each court has a unique function to perform to meet the county's many legal demands.

The Santa Fe County 1st Judicial District Court has general jurisdiction over all cases but typically handles cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts in the county. It has exclusive jurisdiction over felonies and civil cases with claims exceeding $10,000. The Santa Fe County Magistrate Courts in Pojoaque and Santa Fe hear misdemeanors, civil cases with claims under $10,000, and preliminary hearings for felonies. They also handle municipal ordinance infractions and traffic offenses in areas outside the jurisdiction of Municipal Courts. The Santa Fe County Probate Court handles all probate matters, including admission of wills, appointment of guardianships, and management of estates. Municipal Courts in Edgewood and Santa Fe deal with municipal ordinance violations and traffic offenses.

Santa Fe County has a crime rate of 6,000 per 100,000 residents. As a result, the County Courts handle over 8,000 criminal cases annually. The New Mexico State Judiciary administrative staff maintains all public court records from the county's courts. Anyone can visit the County Courts to view and request copies of nonconfidential court records. They can also search for Santa Fe County public court records on the New Mexico Case Lookup portal. Certain court records in Santa Fe County are sealed under New Mexico law or by court orders to preserve privacy and protect sensitive information. These court records can only be accessed by authorized persons or by court orders. Court records typically sealed in Santa Fe County include medical records, mental health records, juvenile records, adoption records, information about jurors, and personal identifying information.

In summary, Santa Fe County's court system protects the rights of its residents and ensures justice for all. Anyone in Santa Fe County can approach the courts for justice, regardless of status, race, gender, or beliefs. The transparent management of court records in Santa Fe County increases the public's confidence in the judicial system. Santa Fe County is dedicated to upholding its legal excellence and to remain a model of efficient court administration in New Mexico.