Drew D. Tatum at a glance
- Current role
- District Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New Mexico · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Drew D. Tatum
District Court Judge · Ninth Judicial District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Drew D. Tatum is a judge of Division II of the Ninth Judicial District Court in New Mexico, appointed by former Governor Bill Richardson in 2007 and re‐elected in 2008, 2014, and 2020
- 2005–2007: Tatum & McDowell Law Firm — Partner, Clovis, NM
- 2004–2005: Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office — Deputy District Attorney
- 2000–2004: U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps — Judge Advocate, Captain
- Air Force JAG officer, prosecutor and private attorney
Education
- University of Tulsa — J.D. (2000)
- Psychology and Political Science — University of New Mexico — B.A. (1995)
Additional information
- He is admitted to practice in New Mexico (2000), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (2001), the U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals (2001), and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico (2006)
- Judge Tatum’s legal expertise spans criminal law, estate planning, and probate matters.
- Judicial Performance Evaluation: The New Mexico Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission has recommended retention of Judge Tatum
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Media Electronic Device Coverage
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.
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 ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
New Mexico Judiciary remote-proceedings standards treat virtual courtrooms as formal courtroom settings and impose conduct expectations for remote participants.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
New Mexico Rule 23-107 — media coverage
Ninth Judicial District Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
New Mexico Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View New Mexico Courts official judicial roster ↗Rule 23-107. Broadcasting, televising, photographing and recording of court proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 23-107. Broadcasting, televising, photographing and recording of court proceedings ↗New Mexico Judiciary Remote Proceedings and Meeting Standards
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View New Mexico Judiciary Remote Proceedings and Meeting Standards ↗ninthdistrict.nmcourts.gov
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 4, 2026
View ninthdistrict.nmcourts.gov ↗