--- title: "Cheryl H. Johnston | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cheryl-h-johnston-district-court-judge-thirteenth-judicial-district-court-nm" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Cheryl H. Johnston Thirteenth Judicial District Court · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Thirteenth Judicial District Court - State: New Mexico - Role: District Court Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - The court is seeking a new judge to fill the role, with applications open through the Judicial Nominating Commission - Judge of the 13th Judicial District Court of New Mexico, which covers Cibola, Sandoval, and Valencia counties - She has also taught as a visiting senior professor at Herzen State Pedagogical University in St. Petersburg, Russia ### Education - Her academic qualifications include a Rice University B.A. in 1977 and a University of New Mexico law degree in 1981. ### Additional information - Cheryl H. Johnston joined New Mexico’s Thirteenth Judicial District Court in January 2015 after election in November 2014. - She also worked in U.S. military courts in West Germany from 1981–1983 - Before judicial service she held a position as an assistant district attorney in the Thirteenth and Second Judicial Districts, prosecuting serious criminal matters. - Before becoming a judge, Johnston held the role of Assistant District Attorney for both the 13th and 2nd Judicial Districts, prosecuting cases such as homicide, armed robbery, aggravated battery, sex crimes, domestic violence, child death, white‐collar crime, and gang‐related offenses. - Her early practice included representing clients in U.S. military courts in West Germany. - The overview identifies her with Division VIII and family court matters in the district covering Cibola, Sandoval and Valencia counties. - Her professional activities include Judicial Standards Commission membership, the State Bar’s Bridge the Gap program and visiting teaching at Herzen State Pedagogical University’s Center for International Studies in St. Petersburg. ## 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://thirteenthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/district-court-judges) - [Official roster](https://thirteenthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/district-court-judges) - [New Mexico Courts official judicial roster](https://thirteenthdistrict.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) - [nm-governor.nmgov.onconcourse.com](https://nm-governor.nmgov.onconcourse.com/newsroom/gov-lujan-grisham-appoints-two-new-district-court-judges-2018/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cheryl-h-johnston-district-court-judge-thirteenth-judicial-district-court-nm", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cheryl-h-johnston-district-court-judge-thirteenth-judicial-district-court-nm", "name": "Cheryl H. Johnston | KnowJudges", "description": "Cheryl H. Johnston, Thirteenth Judicial District Court. 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