Robert Lara at a glance
- Current role
- District Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New Mexico · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Robert Lara
District Court Judge · Third Judicial District Court
Biography
Professional career
- The State Bar documented his work with the Third Judicial District self-help center; the 2023 court report records five years as a district-court staff attorney before joining the bench.
- Worked in private practice on domestic-relations, administrative and election-law matters
Education
- University of New Mexico School of Law — J.D. (2007)
- B.A. — University of Texas at El Paso — 2004 — Political Science
Additional information
- Elected to the bench in 2022 and currently holds the office through an unexpired term ending December 31, 2028
- Joined the Third Judicial District bench in 2023, following the 2022 election.
- Served on the State Bar of New Mexico Board of Bar Commissioners, documented in 2021.
- A 2017 State Bar biography identifies past service as treasurer of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.
- 3rd Judicial District Court of New Mexico, Division II, covering Doña Ana County.
- Currently listed in Division II.
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
Third Judicial District 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 ↗thirddistrict.nmcourts.gov
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 4, 2026
View thirddistrict.nmcourts.gov ↗