Physical Location:
31 Rodeo Drive, Laguna, New Mexico – Map
Mailing Address:
Phone: (505) 552-1900
Fax: (505) 552-7186
E-Filings:
Scope of Work
The Pueblo of Laguna Court is the Judicial branch of the Pueblo of Laguna government. The Pueblo Court has jurisdiction over Civil and Criminal matters as they pertain to Laguna Tribal members and those non-tribal members who reside upon or enter the land of the Pueblo. The Pueblo Court consists of Civil, Criminal, Traffic and a Community Wellness Court. The Public Defender, the Prosecutor and Probation and Parole Services, are also under the umbrella of the Laguna Court/Judicial Branch.
The Pueblo Court hears all civil matters filed including but not limited to traffic, wildlife, trespass, probate, tort, commercial, debt, housing evictions and arrearages, paternity, legal separations, custody and support, adoptions, Laguna Social Services’ families in need of services, and child abuse and neglect matters under the Laguna Children’s Code and Indian Child Welfare Act cases.
The Court has concurrent criminal jurisdiction with the United States over major crimes and hears all matters under the Pueblo of Laguna Code. The criminal docket consists of arraignments, motion hearings, trials on the merits, sentencing hearings, probation review and revocation hearings, and parole request hearings.
The Public Defender provides legal defense services to defendants in criminal actions. The Prosecutor provides prosecution services on behalf of the Pueblo of Laguna in criminal actions. Probation and Parole Services are responsible for the monitoring of defendants who have been adjudicated in the Court and are either on probation or parole.
Mission: In accordance with the Constitution of the Pueblo of Laguna, the Pueblo of Laguna Judicial branch exercises its judicial powers in a professional, respectful, fair manner that recognizes tribal customs and traditions and protects tribal sovereignty while promoting community safety, open communication and justice.
Court Staff
Eddie Gomez, Presiding Judge
William Johnson, Pro-Tem Judge
Karen Aragon, Court Administrator
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
Margaret Poncho, Traffic Clerk (505) 552-1911
Prosecutors Office
John Aragon, Prosecutor- (505) 917-8767
Michelle Ray, Victims Advocate- (505) 552-1914 or (505) 917-9844
Elizabeth Martinez, Administrative Assistant II, Prosecution office- (505) 552-1912
Public Defenders Office
(Located at the Public Works Building)
Tiana Tom, Legal Assistant- (505) 552-1225
Probation / Parole Department
Christopher Witt, Probation Manager- 505-552-1917
Michele Lucero, Administrative Assistant- Probation/Parole- 505-552-1941
Marilyn Joe, Juvenile Probation Officer- 505-552-1916
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
General Information:
Court Hours: 8:00 a.m through 4:30 p.m (Court Clerk’s Office open during lunch), Monday – Friday
Attorneys List
2024 Approved Attorneys List
Attorney Application
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
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
Docket Schedule
Tuesdays- Civil case hearings (all day) included is W/C
Wednesdays- Civil and/or Civil Juvenile cases
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:
General Court Forms
Motion Forms
- Adult Driving Permit
- Petition to Probate Estate
- Civil Complaint
- Petition for Visitation
- Petition for Change of Name (Adult)
- Petition to Establish Paternity for the Purpose of Blood Quantum
- Petition for Appointment of Guardian for an Incapacitated Person
- Petition for Legal Separation
- Petition for Change of Name of Minor Child
- Petition to Establish Paternity
- Petition for Custody
- Petition for Child Support
- Petition for Adoption
- Petition for Appointment of Guardian
- Petition to Establish Paternity
- Petition for Temporary Restraining Order
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Probation & Parole Services Mission:
The mission of the Pueblo of Laguna Probation/Parole services is to perform the duties described under the Pueblo of Laguna Code. The office is also charged with the supervision of individuals released on bond, placed on pre-trial diversion or placed on probation or parole by the Pueblo Court and to ensure the compliance with all court ordered conditions. Probation/Parole services also provides rehabilitative services.
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.