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Rules of Criminal Procedure for the District Courts – 2026

The Rules of Criminal Procedure for the District Courts, Set 5. Felonies proceed by grand jury indictment or by information after a preliminary examination, both live options under the state constitution. Rules 5-501 and 5-502 govern disclosure by the state and by the defendant, and Rule 5-802 is the primary means of postconviction relief. New Mexico withdrew its fixed six-month trial rule for district courts in 2010, so speedy-trial analysis here is constitutional.

Browse all 121 rules of the 2026 edition organized by section below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Sections

ARTICLE 1 General Provisions ARTICLE 2 Initiation of Proceedings ARTICLE 3 Pretrial Proceedings ARTICLE 4 Release Provisions ARTICLE 5 Discovery ARTICLE 6 Trials ARTICLE 7 Judgment and Appeal ARTICLE 8 Special Proceedings ARTICLE 9 Appendices
ARTICLE 1 General Provisions Rules 5-101–5-124 ARTICLE 2 Initiation of Proceedings Rules 5-201–5-212 ARTICLE 3 Pretrial Proceedings Rules 5-301–5-305 ARTICLE 4 Release Provisions Rules 5-401–5-409 ARTICLE 5 Discovery Rules 5-501–5-512 ARTICLE 6 Trials Rules 5-601–5-615 ARTICLE 7 Judgment and Appeal Rules 5-701–5-705 ARTICLE 8 Special Proceedings Rules 5-801–5-831 ARTICLE 9 Appendices Rules 5-901–5-903