Local Rule LR8-102. Assignment of cases; consolidation.

[Related Statewide rules 1-088, 5-105, and 10-161 NMRA] A. Primary responsibility of each division; recusal or excusal in Division I. The judges of Divisions II and III are primarily responsible for all cases in Taos County. The judge of Division I is primarily responsible for all cases in Colfax and Union Counties. In the event of recusal or excusal of the judge in Division I, the case will be assigned to either Division II or Division III by random selection. In the event of recusal or excusal of the subsequently assigned judge, the case will be reassigned to the remaining judge in the district. B. Recusal or excusal in Divisions II, III. In the event of the recusal or excusal of the judge of Division II or Division III, the other judge in the Taos County docket shall be automatically assigned to the case unless that judge has been either recused or excused, in which event the case will be reassigned to the judge of Division I. C. Assigned judge to hear case. Cases assigned to one judge shall not be heard by another judge except by consent of the judge to whom the case is assigned, except in those circumstances described in Paragraphs D and E of this rule. D. Exception; when assigned judge is unavailable. Whenever the assigned judge is not available, any judge of the district, or any judge from another district who is present in the county by designation, may hear any default matter, emergency matter, guilty plea, or ex parte matter, and may sign orders presented with signatures of all counsel and parties pro se, which may arise. E. Consolidated cases. Motions to consolidate and cases consolidated for trial shall be heard by the judge assigned to the case bearing the lowest case number (the oldest case). F. Reassignment of cases. The chief judge shall have the authority, in consultation with the other judges, to reassign cases amongst the judges when justified due to case load, judicial economy, or the interest of justice.