--- title: "James Lawrence Sanchez | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-lawrence-sanchez-district-court-judge-thirteenth-judicial-district-court-nm" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James Lawrence Sanchez Thirteenth Judicial District Court · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Thirteenth 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 - 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. ## 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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-lawrence-sanchez-district-court-judge-thirteenth-judicial-district-court-nm", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-lawrence-sanchez-district-court-judge-thirteenth-judicial-district-court-nm", "name": "James Lawrence Sanchez | KnowJudges", "description": "James Lawrence Sanchez, Thirteenth Judicial District Court. 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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.