Sixty-two judges preside within New Mexico's fifty-four Magistrate Courts. Magistrate judges have limited jurisdiction, which means they can only hear certain cases.

Magistrate Courts can hear civil cases where the amount in controversy is under $10,000. They can also try minor crimes, including simple DWI and traffic violations. They can issue search warrants.

Since a Magistrate Court is not a court of record, any appeals from these courts will be heard as new cases.

A Magistrate Judge is not required to have a law degree, but s/he must live within the county s/he is seeking election in. If there is a vacancy between elections, the governor appoints a qualified person to fill the position.