Effective Friday, August 20, the Hobbs Municipal Court is temporarily closed to the public. The Court will reopen on Tuesday, August 31, according to a City of Hobbs press release dated August 20. Hobbs Municipal Court is located at 301 North Turner Street.
The press release states that the Court “provides a vital service in our community to uphold the rule of law and deliver essential services to the public.”
Although the City of Hobbs press release does not provide specific information about the reason for the temporary closure of Hobbs Municipal Court, the growing number of daily cases of coronavirus in the area is a possible motive for the decision. Earlier this week, Hobbs High School closed for a day after having some positive COVID cases on campus.
In Lea County, cases have been on a sharp rise lately which has begun stressing local health care systems.
During the court’s closure “staff will continue to work cases and coordinate with local law enforcement regarding charges,” says the press release. Additionally, the press release notifies the public that cases scheduled to be heard between August 20 and August 30, the time period that the court is closed, will be rescheduled for a later date. Parties will be notified at their last known addresses of the date that their particular case is rescheduled.
During the time that the Court is closed, payments can still be made online at hobbsnm.org.
The closure is made pursuant to Rule 8-506(C)(5) of New Mexico Rules of Procedure for the Municipal Courts. It states that the Court may close when “exceptional circumstances exist that are beyond the control of the prosecution or the court.” Because of these exceptional circumstances, trials set for August, 20 – 30 cannot be heard. The press release confirms that “no defendant will be unfairly prejudiced by an extension of the time for commencement of trial as mandated by Rule 5-506(B) NMR.”
The Supreme Court of the State of New Mexico issued Order 20-8500-002 on March 17, 2020.” Later the Order was amended. In part the Order states that New Mexico municipal courts may close providing, “the building in which a court operates is closed by county or municipal authorities or if the presiding judge in the court chooses to do so, provided a notice is posted at the closed courthouse with the locations and phone numbers of the nearest magistrate and district courts and provided that the public and the chief district judge in the judicial district is given advance notice of any such closure,” states the press release.
For questions regarding the temporary closure, contact Hobbs Municipal Court at (575) 397-9272.
General information about the Hobbs Municipal Court can be found at its website: https://www.hobbsnm.org/court.html.
