Legal
New Mexico has 13 Judicial Districts.
Click here for the map of New Mexico State Courts:
Children’s Code
The child protection response system in New Mexico is governed by the Children’s Code. This Code provides response actions from the suspicion of child abuse and neglect to removal from the child’s home to case dismissal.
The Code may be found here.
Legal Representation
Children’s Court Attorney (CCA): Represents the NM Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD).
Respondent’s Attorney: Represents the parent of the alleged victim; usually court appointed.
GAL (Guardian Ad Litem): Represents the best interest of the alleged victim aged 14 and under; appointed by the court and is a licensed attorney.
Youth Attorney: Represents alleged victim 14 and older; appointed by the court.
New Mexico Child Welfare Handbook
The Corinne Wolfe Center for Child & Family Justice provides many resources, one of which is the New Mexico Child Welfare Handbook. This resource provides more detail as to proceedings, roles and responsibilities: 2018 NM Child Welfare Handbook.
For more information regarding the Corinne Wolfe Center for Child & Family Justice visit here.
Children's Court Improvement Commission (CCIC)
The mission of the CCIC is ‘to improve the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families in NM Children’s Court by developing innovative initiatives through court, agency and stakeholder collaboration”.
The CCIC coordinates the NM Court Improvement Project (CIP) and members are appointed by the Chief Justice of the NM Supreme Court.
For more information on the CCIC, its current strategic plan and the NM Court Improvement Project click here.
