New Mexico Courthouse Dress Code & Attire Rules (2026)

Short answer: Clean, non-ripped dark jeans are generally accepted for jurors and traffic court visitors, but shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and slides are prohibited across nearly all 3 courthouses in New Mexico. Updated 2026-11-04

All 3 county courthouses in New Mexico enforce judicial decorum dress codes: shorts, flip-flops, tank tops, halter tops, pajamas, and hats are prohibited in courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may refuse entry or reset your hearing if you are improperly dressed. Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court and Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque enforce strict cell phone check-in / restrictions at security, providing lobby storage or juror exemptions.

County Courthouse	City	Courtroom dress code	Phone Lockers	Juror Parking
Bernalillo County Bernalillo County Courthouse (Albuquerque) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Bernalillo County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Albuquerque	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	Yes (Free)	Free Validated
Dona Ana County Dona Ana County Courthouse (Las Cruces) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Dona Ana County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Las Cruces	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	Yes (Free)	Free Validated
Santa Fe County Santa Fe County Courthouse (Santa Fe) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Santa Fe County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Santa Fe	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	Yes (Free)	Free Validated

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wear jeans or shorts to court in New Mexico?

Clean, non-ripped dark jeans are generally accepted for jurors and traffic court visitors, but shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and slides are prohibited across nearly all 3 courthouses in New Mexico.

How is this courthouse policy data verified?

We verify every county against official Court Administrative Orders (.gov), Jury Commissioner instructions, and Sheriff Court Security directives. Last verified 2026-11-04.