N.M. Stat. § 34-8A-6
Metropolitan court; rules; appeal.
A. The supreme court shall adopt separate rules of procedure for the metropolitan
courts. The rules shall provide simple procedures for the just, speedy and inexpensive
determination of any metropolitan court action.
B. Other than for actions brought pursuant to the Uniform Owner-Resident Relations
Act [47-8-1 to 47-8-52 NMSA 1978], the metropolitan court is a court of record for civil
actions. Any party aggrieved by a judgment rendered by the metropolitan court in a civil
action may appeal to the court of appeals. The manner and method for the appeal shall
be set forth by supreme court rule.
C. The metropolitan court is not a court of record for civil actions brought pursuant
to the Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act. Any party aggrieved by a judgment
rendered by the metropolitan court in a civil action brought pursuant to the Uniform
Owner-Resident Relations Act may appeal to the district court of the county in which the
metropolitan court is located within fifteen days after the judgment was rendered. The
appeal shall be de novo.
D. The metropolitan court is a court of record for criminal actions involving driving
while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or involving domestic violence.
A criminal action involving domestic violence means an assault or battery under any
state law or municipal or county ordinance in which the alleged victim is a household
member as defined in the Family Violence Protection Act [Chapter 40, Article 13 NMSA
1978]. Any party aggrieved by a judgment rendered by the metropolitan court in a
criminal action involving driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs
or involving domestic violence may appeal to the court of appeals. The manner and
method of appeal shall be set forth by supreme court rule.
E. The metropolitan court is not a court of record for criminal actions other than
driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or domestic violence
actions. Any party aggrieved by a judgment rendered by the metropolitan court in a
criminal action, other than driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or
drugs or domestic violence action, may appeal to the district court of the county in which
the metropolitan court is located within fifteen days after the judgment was rendered.
The appeal shall be de novo.
F. All judgments rendered in civil actions in the metropolitan court shall be subject
to the same provisions of law as those rendered in district court.