2nd Judicial District Court Judge Division 02
State district court judges hear many types of cases, both civil and criminal. Their civil cases include private injury lawsuits, contracts, real estate, family law, and some mental health and election-related issues. The criminal cases they hear include felony and more serious misdemeanor matters.
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MATTHEW EDWIN CHAVEZ
(Dem)
1. What qualifies you for this office?
2. What in your background would serve you best as a District Court judge?
3. In addition to hearing and deciding cases, how can you help improve the operations of District Court?
4. What policies are needed to keep the judiciary independent from political influence?
5. What other information would you like the voters to know about you?
Education
J.D. 2012
Occupation
District Court Judge
Filing County
Bernalillo
I was appointed to the Second Judicial District Court in March 2025 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, after being recommended by the bipartisan Judicial Nominating Commission. Before my appointment to the bench, I worked on both sides of the criminal justice system---representing the accused for more than a decade and also as Chief Legal Counsel for the Department of Public Safety. Serving our state as a Judge has been my lifelong dream. In no other domain do we find such a consequential interplay of constitutionalism, philosophy, and public service. And nowhere
else do we find such profound opportunities to make a difference in our community and in the individual lives of so many every single day.
For more than a decade, I worked with justice stakeholders on some of the most challenging issues facing our communities: substance use disorder, mental illness, homelessness, violent crime, access to justice, and building the infrastructure to address the root causes of these issues. As a District Court Judge, I will apply this experience to support the Court's work in expanding diversionary programs to reduce recidivism and to interrupt the cycle of addiction and incarceration. I will marshal the knowledge and experience I gained during my career in public service to identify appropriate cases for diversion into structured rehabilitation programs.
By working closely with the Chief Judge, the presiding criminal court judge, and my colleagues on the bench, I will work pragmatically on solutions to the operational challenges that our busy court faces. In practice this means problem-solving court procedures to guarantee the constitutional rights of the accused, of the victims of crime, and of timely and sure access to justice.
The Code of Judicial Conduct strictly governs the independence and impartiality of judges, and I will strictly adhere to those rules. I will also support the judiciary's effort to galvanize itself against external influences. The most important thing the judiciary can do to maintain its independence is for individual judges to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and dignity of office every day and to apply the law without fear or favor.
I was born and raised in Albuquerque, and I love our city. Our communities face significant challenges, and as a Judge in the District Court, I will dedicate myself to making a difference for the accused, victims of crime, the parties, and the Court. I have a deep humility and appreciation for the seriousness of the responsibility
with which a Judge is entrusted. My service on the Court will be animated by respect, diligence, and collegiality, and I will work hard with my colleagues to maintain the highest standards of professionalism in the service of Bernalillo County. I am grateful to serve our community, and I thank you for your vote!
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