--- title: "James T. Martin | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-t-martin-district-court-judge-third-judicial-district-court-nm" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James T. Martin Third Judicial District Court · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Third 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 - It is important to note that there is also a historical figure named Judge James Thomas Martin Jr., who served on the Third Judicial District Court for over 16 years and passed away at age 86 in 2013 - Worked as an assistant United States attorney from 1991 through 2005 before becoming a district court judge. - Judge in the Third Judicial District Court of New Mexico, based in Las Cruces - Active judge in New Mexico’s Third Judicial District Court ### Education - University of New Mexico School of Law — J.D. (1991) - Undergraduate degree — New Mexico State University — 1986 ### Additional information - Appointed to the Third Judicial District bench in 2005 and elected in 2006. - Currently listed in Division VI. - Publicly censured on November 13 by the New Mexico Supreme Court after admitting to actions that violated judicial conduct rules. - However, the censure case involves the current Judge James T. Martin, not the late Judge Martin Jr - His experience spans civil, domestic-relations and criminal matters. - He has presided over various criminal and civil cases in the district, which covers Doña Ana County and surrounding areas. - His courtroom responsibilities include overseeing trials, ruling on motions, and ensuring proper legal procedures are followed - He was known for his fairness, decisiveness, and contributions to education and rehabilitation programs in New Mexico. ## 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://thirddistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges) - [Official roster](https://thirddistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges) - [New Mexico Courts official judicial roster](https://thirddistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-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) - [thirddistrict.nmcourts.gov](https://thirddistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-court-district/jueces/?lang=es) - [nmjpec.org](https://nmjpec.org/en/judge-evaluation?election_id=233&year=2014) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-t-martin-district-court-judge-third-judicial-district-court-nm", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-t-martin-district-court-judge-third-judicial-district-court-nm", "name": "James T. Martin | KnowJudges", "description": "James T. Martin, Third Judicial District Court. 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Martin", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-t-martin-district-court-judge-third-judicial-district-court-nm" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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.