The Hobbs Municipal Court is temporarily closed effective Tuesday, January 18. The reason for the temporary closure is “staff shortages caused by COVID exposures,” according to a Monday, January 17 City of Hobbs press release (PDF). The hope is that the court will reopen on Monday, January 27.
The Hobbs Municipal Court is located at 301 N. Turner Street and is vital to the Hobbs community. The court upholds “the rule of law” and delivers ” essential services”, states the press release.
During the temporary closure, “available staff will continue to work cases and coordinate with local law enforcement regarding charges, as well as have someone present to handle services over the phone, such as bill pay and answering general questions.”
Online payments can be made online at hobbsnm.org.
All cases scheduled to be heard during the temporary closure will be continued and the Court will reschedule them for a later date. The Court will provide the rescheduled date to “parties at their last known address”, states the press release.
For questions about the current temporary closure, contact the Hobbs Municipal Court directly at (575)397-9272.
According to the press release, the temporary closure of the Municipal Court complies with New Mexico Supreme Court Order No. 20-8500-002, issued on March 17, 2020 and later amended. The order allows municipal courts in New Mexico to close “if 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….” The Order specifies that notice of the closure must be posted at the “closed courthouse”, along with “the locations and phone numbers of the nearest magistrate and district courts….”
The press release also mentions that Pursuant to New Mexico Municipal Court Rule 8-506(C)(5), because of “exceptional circumstance” that are “beyond the control of the prosecution or the court”, cases set for trial from Tuesday, January 18 through Friday, January 21, 2022 cannot be heard and “no defendant will be unfairly prejudiced by an extension of the time for commencement of trial as mandated by Rule 5-506 (B) NMRA.”
