Renée Torres at a glance
- Current role
- Metropolitan Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New Mexico · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Renée Torres
Metropolitan Court Judge · Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
Biography
Professional career
- Renée Torres is a Democratic judge serving in Division III of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico, elected in 2016 and re‐elected in 2024, with a term ending in 2028
- Before joining the metropolitan court, Torres was Chief Judge of the Pueblo of Zia Tribal Court (2015) and held the role of Assistant Public Defender for the New Mexico Public Defender’s Office.
- Before joining the Metropolitan Court, served as an associate judge for the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Court and chief judge for the Pueblo of Zia Tribal Court.
Education
- University of New Mexico School of Law — J.D. (2003)
- a University of New Mexico J.D. with Indian Law Certificate in 2003.
- Her academic qualifications include a journalism B.A. at New Mexico State University in 1992
Additional information
- She has also presided over the Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Court since 2017
- She has presided over the Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Court since 2017 while maintaining a criminal docket.
- Elected to the Metropolitan Court in November 2016; currently assigned to Division III.
- She joined the Tribal-State Judicial Consortium in 2013 and became co-chair in 2019.
- The Tribal Law and Policy Institute training biography states that Renée Torres won election to Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court Division III in 2016.
- She attended the American Indian Law Center’s pre-law institute in 2000, receiving its Advocacy Award, and joined the New Mexico bar in 2004.
- Registered as a Democrat
- She has studied and co-taught at the National Judicial College.
- Raised on the Isleta Pueblo reservation, Torres is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Isleta.
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
Bernalillo County Metropolitan 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 ↗