COURT NEWS

5th Judicial District Court

(Chaves, Eddy & Lea Counties)

E-Filing and Service

Beginning March 12^th, 2012, electronic-filing will be mandatory for parties represented by counsel in 5^th Judicial District Court civil cases. Existing civil cases will convert to e-filing and will be accessible in the e-filing system.  For purposes of e-filing, “civil actions” will not include domestic relations, domestic violence actions, habeas corpus actions, appeals from magistrate and municipal courts, or any children’s court matters. 

E-filing will not be authorized in any criminal action.  Self-represented parties will be prohibited from electronically filing documents.  In addition to initializing cases and submitting documents to the clerk electronically, mandatory e-filing will include submitting proposed orders and motion packets to the Judge as attachments to e-mails.  Parties may elect to provide service through the e-filing system for a fee or may serve documents through traditional methods.

A local rule and user guide setting forth procedures for e-filing and service is pending approval by the New Mexico Supreme Court, and upon approval, will be accessible at www.fifthdistrictcourt.com.  

Beginning February 27^th, 2012, the Fifth Judicial District Court will have an optional period for attorneys to register and begin electronic-filing.  This optional period will be for two weeks and on a voluntary basis.  Attorneys wishing to e-file during this time frame must still register with the service provider, Tyler, at https://ofs.tylerhost.net/nm/ 

When mandatory e-filing begins March 12^th, all fees associated with e-filing will be assessed.  There will not be a fee for submitting proposed orders and motion packages to the Judge via e-mail.  Registration with Tyler includes signing a subscriber agreement and obtaining a user ID and password to access the system.  Attorneys can go to the court’s website, select “E-File” and obtain the information on the user guide and other e-filing information.   

Please take time to read the user guide and participate in an Internet training session.  Contact Kennon Crowhurst at 575-622-2212 if you need further information.