New Mexico has 83 Municipal Courts with 85 Municipal Judges.

Municipal Courts are limited in the cases they can hear and they cannot conduct jury trials. Municipal Courts will hear minor criminal cases ncluding DWI, traffic violations and other violations of local laws. They can only hear cases involving less than six months imprisonment or $500 in fines for each violation, and the violation must have occurred within the city limits.

Municipal Courts are not courts of record, so if a judgment is appealed, it will be heard in the District Court as a new trial.

Municipal Judges are elected officials. They are not required to be attorneys, but must reside within the municipality and meet all other requirements. The mayor will appoint a qualified individual to fill vacancies between elections.