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title: "Cindy M. Mercer | KnowJudges"
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# Cindy M. Mercer

Thirteenth Judicial District Court · Chief Judge

## Profile

- Court: Thirteenth Judicial District Court
- State: New Mexico
- Role: Chief Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- It lists New Mexico State University bachelor’s study in psychology and criminal justice in 1991 and a University of Nebraska law degree in 1997
- The collected biographical information identifies her as chief judge of the district

### Education

- University of Nebraska — J.D. (1997)
- Psychology and Criminology — New Mexico State University — B.A. (1991)

### Additional information

- Cindy M. Mercer joined New Mexico’s Thirteenth Judicial District Court Division VI in January 2015 after election in 2014.
- Elected November 2014.
- Criminal defense, family and probate practice.
- Before judicial service she practiced in the law offices of Michael S. Sanchez.
- Her court work includes civil, criminal, probate and guardianship matters.

## 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)
- [nmjpec.org](https://nmjpec.org/en/judge-evaluation?election_id=500&year=2024)

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## 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.