City Attorney
Welcome to the City Attorney’s Office.
Mission
The mission of the Legal Department is to provide legal, risk, and compliance services to City Council, the City Manager, and all organizational units of the City, and insure that City government protects valuable resources and operates ethically, effectively, efficiently, and transparently.
Services
The City Attorney serves as the chief legal advisor to the City Manager, the City Council, and all City departments. The City Attorney will discuss the Las Cruces Municipal Code, City Council agenda items or other City-related questions. However, the City Attorney is not permitted to give legal advice to citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
The City Attorney will discuss the Las Cruces Municipal Code, City Council agenda items or other City-related questions. However, the City Attorney is not permitted to give legal advice to citizens.
The City Attorney will discuss the Las Cruces Municipal Code, City Council agenda items or other City-related questions. However, the City Attorney is not permitted to give legal advice to citizens.
The State Bar of New Mexico has several referral services. You can call the State Bar at 800-876-6227, or you can go to the New Mexico Bar website and select the “Public” tab.
New Mexico Legal Aid has a Las Cruces office which you can reach at 575-541-4800. The Third Judicial District Court of Dona Ana County has a self-help office which you can reach at 575-528-8326. In addition, Law Access New Mexico at 800-340-9771 provides telephone advice.
No. The District Attorney is a State of New Mexico government office which represents the State by prosecuting criminal matters in Magistrate Court and District Court.
The District Attorney’s phone number is 575-524-6370.
The Public Defender’s office has lawyers employed by the State of New Mexico to represent individuals charged with crimes in Magistrate Court and District Court. The Public Defender does not handle civil lawsuits or Municipal Court cases.
The Public Defender’s phone number is 575-524-6200.
Contact Us
Brad Douglas – City Attorney
Email City Attorney: [email protected]
Physical Address: 700 N. Main Street, Suite 3200, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Phone: (575) 541-2128
Schedules
To find the docket of scheduled hearings click here. For the walk-in calendar please see the bottom of this page.
Responsibilities
Municipal Court handles all violations in the City of Las Cruces Municipal Code. Those violations are considered petty misdemeanor cases, including traffic citations, all of which can carry a fine of up to $500 and/or jail term up to 90 days. DWI cases carry a higher penalty.
Taking Action
Action needs to be taken on Traffic citations within 1 month from the date the citation was issued. Non-traffic and arrest-able offenses are given a specific appearance date upon issuance or release from jail. Arraignments and hearings can be scheduled according to the calendar. Check for available days and times.
Security Measures
Top security and thorough screening provide safe access to the judicial process and are important for meaningful participation for all patrons of Municipal Court. Certain items are not allowed in the courthouse and security guards will ask you to return to the courthouse without the items. Security guards will not keep or store any of these items for you while you conduct your business with the Court.
Anyone cited for a violation may pay their fines and/or tickets online if they meet eligibility. Your payment immediately updates the Court’s records and a convenience fee of $1.95 applies. The Municipal Court does not employ other agencies nor do we make automated or personal calls for the purposes of collecting fines and fees.
Upcoming Events
| Point of Contact | Phone Number | Email Address |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal Court E-File | [email protected] | |
| Presiding Judge - Anthony F. Filosa | ||
| Municipal Judge II - James P. Derossitt IV | ||
| Court Manager - Milissa Caldwell | (575) 541-2224 | [email protected] |
| Court Manager - Dawn Shults | (575) 541-2240 | [email protected] |
| Municipal Court Records Department | [email protected] |
Physical Address:
135 E Griggs Avenue
Las Cruces, NM 88001
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 20000
Las Cruces, NM 88001
Phone:
575-541-2224
Fax:
575-541-2184
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Hours for Walk-In Court
Monday – Thursday: Check-In Begins at 7:30 AM, Arraignments start at 9:00 AM
Security in the Las Cruces Municipal Court is provided by a firm contracted by the City of Las Cruces. The armed guards work within guidelines established by the Municipal Court.
If you are visiting the Municipal Court for the first time, please take note of items that are NOT allowed in the courthouse. The guards will ask you to return to the courthouse without the items and CANNOT keep or store any of the items for you while you conduct your business with the Court.
- Purses or bags
- Backpacks
- Weapons of any kind
- Pagers
- Cell Phones
- Laptops or Tablets
- Sharp Objects
- Any electronic device
- Cigarette lighters or matches
Also, be aware that you will be required to step through a metal detector and possibly have to remove a belt or any metal object that you might be wearing as part of the security screening.
Proper attire is required in Municipal Court. Examples of unacceptable attire in this courthouse are:
- Overly wrinkled clothing
- Pajamas, slippers, and flip-flop type shoes
- Sweatpants and Track Suits
- Sagging pants below the waist
- Spaghetti-strap tank tops or crop tops
- Men’s A-shirts or undershirts
- Hats are not allowed in court
- Short skirts (skirts should be at or below knee level when standing)
- Sunglasses, hoodies or other obstructive garments
Why can’t I bring my cell phone or computer into Municipal Court & I can at another court?
Answer: Those courts are state or federally operated courts who have mandated law enforcement agencies who provide their security. Their screening equipment allows them to check bags & secure the court differently than what is provided to the Municipal Court.
We apologize for any inconveniences but providing safe access to the judicial process is paramount to meaningful participation and thorough screening is needed to provide that to all patrons at the Municipal Court building.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several options available for resolving your citation/offense in Municipal Court. Not all options are available for all citations.
- Request dismissal of a citation upon receipt of proof
- Pay a fine
- Plead “Not Guilty” and schedule a hearing before a Judge
- Plead “Guilty” or “No Contest” and speak to a Judge to explain the circumstances
- Set a hearing for a violation that is on the list of penalty assessment violations, schedule of assessments. If your violation is not on this list, you have to see a Judge in order to be arraigned.
Yes, the Las Cruces Municipal Court performs weddings Monday – Thursday at 3:30 p.m. with a maximum of 4 ceremonies. As well as Fridays with maximum of 2 ceremonies at 9:00 a.m. & 9:15 a.m. Weddings can be scheduled by calling the court at (575) 541-2224 or pending availability as a walk-in. The wedding party will consist of the couple and their 2 witnesses.
Please follow these instructions/guidelines if you would like to get married at Municipal Court:
- You must obtain a marriage license from the Dona Ana County Clerks Office and bring all documentation with you to Municipal Court
- Bring 2 witnesses with you, the court does not provide witnesses. Witnesses must be at least 18 years old.
- If you require interpreters for this ceremony, please bring your own as court interpreters are not available.
- If you have specific vows that you would like to use, bring them with you and speak to the Judge before your ceremony takes place, otherwise the Judge will use standard vows
- If the Judge is not available for any reason, the ability to be married may be cancelled without notice
- Court staff does not facilitate wedding ceremonies at any other times or locations.
Other places to try locating a judge to perform your wedding:
- Dona Ana County Probate Judge, phone: 575-525-6132
- Dona Ana County Magistrate Court, phone: 575-524-2814
