Jim Callender talked to Sunny Kellerman, and she is going
to try to be at the March 4th meeting. Art added that we are tentatively scheduled for dinner at W&Z on March 6 with Sunny and Harry.

 

Art’s granddaughters turns ten on Wednesday. Lucy’s older son Brian finishes chemo and radiation and is all clear

 

Art introduced Judge Thomas Stewart to tell us about the work of the 6th Judicial District. He gave us an understanding of the structure of the court system in New Mexico and the District Court's role in it. In New Mexico we have municipal courts in incorporated municipalities like Silver City, Hurley, Bayard, Santa Clara, which handle municipal code violations like not cutting weeds, too many dogs at your house, speeding, traffic violations, etc. This is the most basic court with the smallest geographical jurisdiction.
The next court is probate court, which is a specialty court that deals with probate of wills and administration of estates that don’t have wills. It operates out of the county administration building and the county clerk also serves as clerk for the probate judge.
The magistrate court deals with civil cases that involve expenses under $10,000. It handles lower level crimes such as misdemeanors and preliminary hearings in felony cases which can be sent to district court if no settlement is reached. The magistrates court's geographical area is the county. There are two
magistrate courts in Grant County, one in Silver and one in Bayard. There are also magistrate courts in Deming and Lordsburg which are also in the sixth district. Judge Stewart himself is a district judge who has jurisdiction on pretty much everything. There are
four district judges in our area. They hear felony cases that may go to trial or plea agreements or dismissal. They also handle civil cases of all kinds, medical malpractice, construction disputes,
contract law, divorces, child custody. Generally, they can hear any type of case at the trial level. A district judge has the power to act throughout the state of New Mexico.
The next level is the Court of Appeals. Most of the time the district court judges’ rulings are upheld. The next level is the New Mexico Supreme Court, the ultimate arbitrator in questions
about New Mexico law. All courts in New Mexico are under the supervision and authority of the Supreme Court.
The Federal court system is entirely distinct from New Mexico courts although cases can move back and forth between them. The Federal court system deals with immigration as well as other issues arising under Federal law.

After a question and answer period, Art adjourned the meeting at 1:05 pm.