--- title: "Benjamin S. Cross | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/benjamin-s-cross-district-court-judge-ninth-judicial-district-court-nm" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Benjamin S. Cross Ninth Judicial District Court · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Ninth Judicial District Court - State: New Mexico - Role: District Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - District Court Judge, Ninth Judicial District, Division I (2021–present) Cross’s career reflects a progressive trajectory through legal practice, prosecution, and judicial service, demonstrating extensive experience in both civil and criminal law within New Mexico - Officially sworn in as a judge in October 2021 at the Curry County Courthouse, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Matt Chandler - District Court Judge in New Mexico’s Ninth Judicial District, Division I, a position he assumed in 2021 following his appointment by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham - Prior to his judicial appointment, Cross spent a decade as a staff attorney for the Ninth Judicial District from 2011 to 2021, gaining extensive experience in court operations and legal proceedings. - Prosecutor then Ninth District court attorney, 2006–2021 - His earlier legal career includes serving as a Deputy District Attorney in the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office from 2006 to 2011, and as a partner at Harmon & Reeb, L.L.C. in Clovis, New Mexico, from 2003 to 2006 ### Education - Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of New Mexico in 2006 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech University (2002). - BBA, Finance — Texas Tech University — 2002 ### Additional information - High school education at Clovis High School in 1998 - During his swearing-in ceremony, his sons symbolically participated by pounding the gavel, highlighting the personal significance of his judicial role - His appointment followed a selection process in which he was chosen from a field of four nominees. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### media electronic device coverage Scope: statewide New Mexico Rule 23-107 authorizes broadcasting, televising, photographing, and recording in state court proceedings subject to the rule's guidelines and judicial control. Evidence excerpt: The broadcasting, televising, photographing, and recording of court proceedings in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, district courts, magistrate courts, and metropolitan courts of the State of New Mexico are hereby authorized in accordance with the guidelines promulgated herewith. [Rule 23-107. Broadcasting, televising, photographing and recording of court proceedings](https://nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rule-23-107-12-20-2018.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote proceedings conduct Scope: statewide New Mexico Judiciary remote-proceedings standards treat virtual courtrooms as formal courtroom settings and impose conduct expectations for remote participants. Evidence excerpt: The courtroom, whether a physical in-person courtroom, or a virtual courtroom, remains a formal and serious setting where judges hear matters involving real people that affect real lives. [New Mexico Judiciary Remote Proceedings and Meeting Standards](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/04/NEW-MEXICO-JUDICIARY-REMOTE-PROCEEDINGS-AND-MEETING-STANDARDS.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://ninthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/district-court-judges) - [Official roster](https://ninthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/district-court-judges) - [New Mexico Courts official judicial roster](https://ninthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/district-court-judges) - [Rule 23-107. Broadcasting, televising, photographing and recording of court proceedings](https://nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rule-23-107-12-20-2018.pdf) - [New Mexico Judiciary Remote Proceedings and Meeting Standards](https://firstdistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/04/NEW-MEXICO-JUDICIARY-REMOTE-PROCEEDINGS-AND-MEETING-STANDARDS.pdf) - [ninthdistrict.nmcourts.gov](https://ninthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/district-court-judges/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/benjamin-s-cross-district-court-judge-ninth-judicial-district-court-nm", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/benjamin-s-cross-district-court-judge-ninth-judicial-district-court-nm", "name": "Benjamin S. Cross | KnowJudges", "description": "Benjamin S. Cross, Ninth Judicial District Court. 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Cross", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/benjamin-s-cross-district-court-judge-ninth-judicial-district-court-nm" } ] } ] } ``` ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [New Mexico Rule 23-107 — media coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-16ed52dd2958e6571bf2469d) — 2018 dated rule; not extended to Municipal Courts. Media coverage exceptions and judicial control apply. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rule-23-107-12-20-2018.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.