Physical Location:
31 Rodeo Drive, Laguna, New Mexico
Mailing Address:
Phone: (505) 552-1900
Fax: (505) 552-7186
E-Filings:
Court Staff:
Vacant, Chief Judge
Eddie Gomez, Acting Chief Judge
William Johnson, Pro Tem Judge
Karen Aragon, Court Administrator
Vacant, Legal Assistant
Deborah Cheromiah, Administrative Assistant II
Victoria Day, Bailiff/Court Process Server (505) 552-1906
Court Clerks can be reached at these numbers:
Janice Garcia, Criminal Clerk (505) 552-1908
Tina Miller, Civil Clerk (505) 552-1902
Meredith Y. Rodriguez, CNC Clerk (505) 552-1910
Tamara McCowen, Traffic Clerk (505) 552-1911
Prosecutors Office:
Chelsea Vandeventer, Chief Prosecutor
Lemuel Martinez, Associate Prosecutor
Michelle Ray, Victims Advocate
Karleen Jose- Administrative Assistant II, Prosecution office
Public Defenders Office:
(Located at the Public Works Building)
Diego Urbina, Public Defender
Diane K. Kie, Legal Assistant
Office (505) 552-1229
Cell (505)220-1990
Probation / Parole Department:
Name |
Position |
Phone Number |
Christopher Witt | Probation Manager | 505-552-1917 |
Michele Lucero | Administrative Assistant- Probation/Parole | 505-552-1941 |
Marilyn Joe | Juvenile Probation Officer | 505-552-1916 |
Elizabeth Martinez | Juvenile Probation Officer | 505-552-1918 |
Thomasina Leon | Adult Probation Officer | 505-552-1915 |
Christine Sisneros | Adult Probation Ofc. & W/C Coord. | 505-552-1942 |
Walter Johnson, Jr. | Compliance Officer | 505-552-1943 |
Scope of Work:
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC:
Resuming In-Person Hearings
Revised In Person Court Protocols June 17, 2022
Effective June 20, 2022, the Tribal Courts will continue with in-person hearings for all Criminal and Civil matters, now including traffic, animal control, wildlife and trespass. This notice supersedes the previous notice issued on April 15, 2022. In order to keep community members and Court staff safe, the following will be in effect:
- Masking requirements will continue to be enforced. Per the Pueblo of Laguna’s Executive Order No. 7 issued on May 10, 2022, section 10, “Visitors to Pueblo Government Facilities. Pueblo government buildings and facilities shall be open according to rules instituted by each department. People are encouraged to call ahead to determine any COVID-19 requirements for visiting.” Masking requirements will be as follows:
- An individual who is not vaccinated or who cannot provide proof of vaccination will be required to wear a KN-95 and face shield upon entry into the Courtroom.
- An individual who is “fully vaccinated1”, if two weeks have passed since they received all the initial doses (primary series) of a COVD-19 vaccine, will be required to wear a KN-95 mask upon entry into the Courtroom.
- An individual who is “up to date1” on their vaccinations, received all the recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster doses when they are eligible, will be required to wear a surgical mask upon entry into the Courtroom.
Cloth masks are not acceptable. Surgical and KN95 are available on a limited basis. If you are able to provide your own, please do so. Face shields will also be provided by the Courts.
- All individuals appearing in person must possess and provide their COVID-19 vaccination card before entry into the building. A picture of your vaccination card that provides proof of vaccinations is sufficient to fulfill this requirement.
- All individuals will be screened upon entry. Your temperature will be taken and recorded, a series of questions will be asked and contact information (name and telephone number or email address) must be provided for contact tracing purposes and. Your contact information will be kept confidential.
- Only the persons named in the petition Defendants (Criminal Court), Petitioner and Respondent (Civil Court), attorneys and designated court staff will be allowed to enter the building and Courtroom. If you wish to have other individuals attend your hearing, you must file a motion with the Court two weeks prior to your hearing. Your motion will be reviewed taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis.
- Once your hearing is completed, we request all parties to immediately vacate the courtroom for sanitization purposes before the next hearing.
- All other Court matters not scheduled for a hearing will continue to be addressed at the main entrance by Court staff.
Petitions and court documents are available on the Pueblo of Laguna website. Please reference website for updated Court information. Your cooperation and continued patience is appreciated. Should you have any questions or need further information, please contact the Court.
General Information:
Court Hours: 8:00 a.m through 4:30 p.m (Court Clerk’s Office open during lunch), Monday – Friday
Notary Services:
Notary services are to be made by appointment only, below are there dates & times of their availability:
Deborah Cheromiah Ph# 552-1900 / Email Deborah
Available Days:
Monday thru Friday: 8am-4:30pm
Janice Garcia Ph# 552-1908 / Email Janice
Available Days:
Monday thru Friday: 8am-4:30pm
Karleen Jose Ph# 552-1912 / Email Karleen
Available Days:
Monday: 8am-12pm
Tuesday: 8am-4:30pm
Wednesday: 8am-4:30pm
Thursday: 8am-4:30pm
Diane K. Kie Ph# 552-1229 / Email Diane
Available Days:
Monday: 8am-4:30pm
Wednesday: 8am-4:30pm
Thursday: 8am-4:30pm
Docket Schedule:
Tuesdays- Civil case hearings (all day) included is W/C
Wednesdays- Civil and/or Civil Juvenile cases
Updated Attorneys List 2023
Attorney Information: The Permission to Practice form can be retrieved from the POL Municode, Title V Judiciary; Ch 3.- Admission, Practice & Discipline of Attorneys & Advocates.
You can mail applications to POL Tribal Secretary’s office, PO Box 194, Laguna, NM 87026 / PH: 552-6654.
Courtroom Rules & Protocols
- NO shorts, tank tops, cut offs, or any other type of revealing clothing allowed. You will be asked to wait outside the courtroom or will be required to change your clothes.
- No clothing that violates Executive Order No. 1-2010 or any laws of the Pueblo of Laguna.
- NO food or beverages
- NO children allowed unless the Judge has permitted their appearance.
- NO CELLPHONES unless used as evidence during your hearing (i.e. picture, voicemail or text message).
- NO hats/caps or sunglasses shall be worn inside courtroom.
- NO GUM CHEWING.
- NO talking unless you are addressing the Judge or testifying as a witness.
- NO contact with inmates if present in courtroom. This includes hand gestures, eye contact or verbal. If contact is made, YOU will be escorted from the courtroom.
If your hearing requires photocopies that need to be given to the judge please inform the court bailiff or Court Clerk PRIOR to your hearing so that court hearings are not disrupted (i.e. proof of registration/insurance, receipts or medical records.)
General Court Forms
ATTENTION:
Probation & Parole Services Mission:
Probation & Parole Services Scope of Work
Probation/Parole Services is managed by the Probation Manager and is included in the Pueblo Court organizational structure. Probation/Parole Services is divided into Adult Probation/Parole Services and Juvenile Probation services. Adult services include but are not limited to pre-trial monitoring, supervision of individuals placed on probation or parole, and rehabilitative services including the Laguna Community Wellness Court. Juvenile services include, but are not limited to supervision of juveniles placed on probation, truancy meetings, supervision and referral of juvenile complaints to the Juvenile Prosecutor, and transport to and from juvenile detention and treatment services. Both adult and juvenile probation officers also conducts office visits, home/school visits, urine drug and/or alcohol breath testing, and case staffing with appropriate community service providers.