January 3, 2023  

Eleven Metropolitan Court Judges renewed their oaths of office on January 3, 2023 after being retained or securing their seats in partisan races in the November General Election.

Judges Rosie Lazcano Allred, Vidalia Chavez, Maria I. Dominguez, Jason M. Jaramillo, Brittany Maldonado Malott, Jill M. Martinez and Christine E. Rodriguez will each begin a new four-year term after receiving at least 57% voter approval to remain on the bench.

Recently appointed Judges Asra I. Elliott, Claire A. McDaniel, Nina Safier and Joshua J. Sánchez won their partisan elections uncontested and will be up for retention in the future.

With a 2021 law going into effect changing the terms of evaluation for District Court and Metropolitan Court Judges, the remaining Metropolitan Court Judges will be up for retention in 2024, with Judge Shonnetta R. Estrada running in a partisan election.

The Metropolitan Court is a court of limited jurisdiction that handles petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor crimes that carry a maximum jail term of 364 days and fines of up to $1,000. The Civil Division presides over cases in which the amount in dispute does not exceed $10,000, subject to the other jurisdictional limits of the court. The judges at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court also conduct Felony First Appearances and Preliminary Examination Hearings.