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title: "James M. Hudson | KnowJudges"
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# James M. Hudson

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

- Judge of the 5th Judicial District Court of New Mexico, serving as Chief Judge and presiding over cases in Lea, Chaves, and Eddy counties

### Education

- University of New Mexico — J.D. (1984)
- Economics — University of Notre Dame — B.A. (1980)

### Additional information

- Appointed 2013; elected 2014.
- Civil private practice before judicial service.
- Before joining the judiciary, Hudson practiced law in private practice
- As Chief Judge, Hudson oversees the operations of the 5th Judicial District Court, including case management, judicial administration, and policy guidance for the district.
- Hudson’s leadership role is reflected in the FY23 budget presentation for the 5th Judicial District Court, where he is listed as Chief Judge

## 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)
- [nmjpec.org](https://nmjpec.org/en/judge-evaluation?election_id=492&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.