--- title: "Robert Lara | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-lara-district-court-judge-third-judicial-district-court-nm" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Robert Lara 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 - 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. ## 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) - [www.utep.edu](https://www.utep.edu/lp/lspi25/) - [www.sbnm.org](https://www.sbnm.org/Portals/NMBAR/PubRes/BB/2017/BB_2017-11-08.pdf) - [nmcourts.gov](https://nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/NM-Judiciary-Annual-Report-2023-DIGITAL-Final-Version-1.pdf) - [www.sbnm.org](https://www.sbnm.org/Portals/NMBAR/AboutUs/Governance/minutes/2021April.pdf?ver=He7fvOv8LVJTLYanvzYpHg%3D%3D) - [www.sbnm.org](https://www.sbnm.org/Portals/NMBAR/AboutUs/YLD/YLDSpring17.pdf?ver=KQpt_F069p4I-c1tUYjcrw%3D%3D) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-lara-district-court-judge-third-judicial-district-court-nm", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-lara-district-court-judge-third-judicial-district-court-nm", "name": "Robert Lara | KnowJudges", "description": "Robert Lara, Third Judicial District Court. 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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.