18-02-2025
NM Supreme Court stands by DEI
Supreme Court of New Mexico: (from left) Justice Julie J. Vargas, Justice Michael E. Vigil, Chief Justice David K. Thomson, Justice C. Shannon Bacon, and Justice Briana H. Zamora. (Photo courtesy of the Supreme Court.)
In a statement released Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within the justice system.
The court's statement comes amid the Trump administration's actions cutting DEI initiatives and funding.
The Court opened a public letter by observing that the wood above where the justices sit in the courtroom has the words 'Dedicated to the Administration of Equal Justice Under Law' carved into it.
'For 123 years, these words have served as a guidepost to the Justices and a promise to all New Mexico,' the Court wrote. 'As we face challenges and pushback at the federal level against inclusivity efforts, the Supreme Court of New Mexico affirms our commitment to these values. As stewards of justice, we recognize that a just legal system must reflect and respect the diverse communities that it serves.
'We remain devoted to eliminating barriers to justice, promoting equal access, and ensuring that every individual is treated with dignity and fairness regardless of race, ethnicity, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, indigency status, physical, mental, or developmental disability or condition, age, English language proficiency, parenting status, or pregnancy.'
Read the full letter here.
A news release from the Administrative Office of the Courts noted that the creation of its Commission on Equity and Justice in 2020, followed by:
• an order requiring state courts to use an individual's name and their designated personal pronouns and salutations.
• a statewide Equity, Inclusion and Justice Program within the Administrative Office of the Courts that has made presentations to magistrate, municipal, probate and district court judges to help them identify and address inequity in the judicial process.
