James Lawrence Sanchez at a glance
- Current role
- District Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New Mexico · State
- Judicial service
- Active
James Lawrence Sanchez
District Court Judge · Thirteenth Judicial District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge of the 13th Judicial District Court of New Mexico, serving Division I (Valencia County) since his 2012 appointment by Governor Susana Martinez
- ’s cited overview describes nineteen years as a trial attorney and six years of defense work, without establishing whether those periods overlap
Education
- His academic qualifications include a business administration bachelor’s degree at New Mexico State University and a J.D. at the University of New Mexico.
Additional information
- Currently listed as a 2026 retention candidate for his judicial seat
- James Lawrence Sanchez joined Division I of New Mexico’s Thirteenth Judicial District Court following appointment by Governor Susana Martinez in May 2012 and election later that year.
- Before joining the bench, Sanchez spent 19 years as a trial attorney and 6 years as a defense attorney in private practice in Valencia County, NM
- Before taking the bench, he practiced in Valencia County.
- The New Mexico Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission has recommended his retention in past evaluations
- The district covers Cibola, Sandoval and Valencia counties; his listed court location is Los Lunas.
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
Thirteenth 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 ↗