SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today issued an order extending the payment of fines and fees for 30 days to help financially struggling New Mexicans and reduce the number of people who appear in courthouses to resolve traffic and other cases.
“We understand New Mexicans are facing financial difficulties during this public health emergency and providing more time to pay fines and fees will offer temporary relief,” Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura said.
The Supreme Court’s order will add 30 days to the payment deadline imposed by a magistrate, metropolitan, district or municipal court for fines and fees that must be paid between March 19 and May 29, 2020. The extension does not apply to amounts past due. People with questions about their payment deadline should contact the court that imposed the penalties.
The payment extension potentially affects thousands of New Mexicans. About 100,000 traffic cases were filed in magistrate courts statewide and the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in the 2019 fiscal year.
The public can find information about court operations and coronavirus precautionary measures on the website of the New Mexico judicial branch of government (nmcourts.gov) and on websites of each of the state’s 13 district courts. Links to district court websites are available from the Judiciary’s home page. Updates on courts and the coronavirus also are available at https://twitter.com/nmcourts
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