--- title: "Efren A. Cortez | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/efren-a-cortez-district-court-judge-fifth-judicial-district-court-nm" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Efren A. Cortez Fifth Judicial District Court · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Fifth 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 - His appointment to replace Judge Shoobridge on the Fifth Judicial District Court was announced to the Hobbs City Commission in August 2023 - Joined the Hobbs legal department as a staff attorney in January 2013, became assistant city attorney in 2015 and deputy city attorney in 2017, and was named city attorney in 2018 - Also prosecuted felony narcotics cases as a special assistant district attorney in the Fifth Judicial District - Position: District Court Judge, Division III, Fifth Judicial District Court ### Education - Eastern New Mexico University — B.S. - Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School — J.D. ### Additional information ## 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://fifthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges/district-judges) - [Official roster](https://fifthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges/district-judges) - [New Mexico Courts official judicial roster](https://fifthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges/district-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) - [fifthdistrict.nmcourts.gov](https://fifthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges/district-judges/) - [www.enmu.edu](https://www.enmu.edu/about/news-and-events/enmu-news/alumni-highlights/2627-greyhound-grad-selected-as-hobbs-city-attorney) - [hobbsnm.org](https://hobbsnm.org/files/public_meetings/city_commission/2023/Aug%207%2C%202023%20-%20full%20packet.pdf) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/efren-a-cortez-district-court-judge-fifth-judicial-district-court-nm", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/efren-a-cortez-district-court-judge-fifth-judicial-district-court-nm", "name": "Efren A. 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