--- title: "Jennifer J. Wernersbach | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jennifer-j-wernersbach-district-court-judge-second-judicial-district-court-nm" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Jennifer J. Wernersbach Second Judicial District Court · District Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Second 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 - Democratic Party judge for Division XVI of the New Mexico 2nd Judicial District Court, appointed in 2021 and serving until 2026 - She held a position as an assistant public defender from 2004 to 2006, operated her own practice from 2006 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2021, and practiced at Kennedy Kennedy & Ives in 2014–2015 - Position: Judge, Division XVI, 2nd Judicial District Court, Bernalillo County, NM ### Education - B.S. in Business Administration and Art History from the University of Tulsa (1998) and a J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law (2004) - The cited overview lists undergraduate business administration and art history study at the University of Tulsa, graduating in 1998, and a University of New Mexico J.D. in 2004. ### Additional information - Jennifer J. Wernersbach joined Division XVI of New Mexico’s Second Judicial District Court in 2021, taking office February 5 following appointment by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. - Law Offices of Jennifer J. Wernersbach, P.C. (2006–2014, 2015–2021) - Before joining the bench, Wernersbach had 16 years as a trial attorney handling criminal and civil rights cases in state and federal courts - Before joining the judiciary, her trial practice included criminal defense and civil rights litigation in state and federal courts. - Her court assignment is in the Criminal Division in Bernalillo County. ## 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://seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges/judges-directory) - [Official roster](https://seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges/judges-directory) - [New Mexico Courts official judicial roster](https://seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges/judges-directory) - [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/jennifer-j-wernersbach-district-court-judge-second-judicial-district-court-nm", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jennifer-j-wernersbach-district-court-judge-second-judicial-district-court-nm", "name": "Jennifer J. Wernersbach | KnowJudges", "description": "Jennifer J. Wernersbach, Second Judicial District Court. 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