NMJPEC Evaluation Process

The New Mexico Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission conducts evaluations of judges and justices twice: 1. Midway through a judge’s term in office – for the purpose of improving his or her performance. Midterm evaluations are not released to the public; and 2. Before a retention election – for the purpose of providing information to voters. The results of these evaluations are made available to the public at least 45 days before the retention election.

Evaluations are performed through:

• Confidential written surveys – NMJPEC works with an independent research firm to develop and disseminate confidential written surveys to those individuals and professionals who have worked with or come in contact with the justice or judge being evaluated. • Statistics from the Administrative Office of the Courts – Including caseloads, excusals (requests by attorneys to have cases transferred to other judges), and the time it takes to get cases resolved. • Courtroom observations – Based on established criteria and as resources permit, some judges are evaluated on an unscheduled basis during their active courtroom proceedings by impartial observers in order to assess their performance and management of their courtroom. • Personal interviews with each judge being evaluated – During confidential interviews, NMJPEC shares the results of the surveys with the judge being evaluated. We also review their self-assessment of performance.