New Mexico Courthouse Smartwatch & Apple Watch Rules (2026)

Short answer: 3 courthouses in New Mexico ban smartwatches alongside cell phones because they can record audio/photos. Leave your Apple Watch in your car if visiting a phone-ban courthouse. Updated 2026-11-04

0 of 3 courthouses in New Mexico allow smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Fitbit) on silent mode, while 3 classify smartwatches as prohibited recording devices and ban them at the metal detector. 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	Smartwatches & Apple Watch	Phone Lockers	Juror Parking
Bernalillo County Bernalillo County Courthouse (Albuquerque) “Bernalillo County Courthouse (Albuquerque) Security Checkpoint Order: "General visitors must check cell phones in the security vestibule or leave them in their vehicles. Summoned jurors and attorneys are permitted devices in designated areas."”	Albuquerque	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	Yes (Free)	Free Validated
Dona Ana County Dona Ana County Courthouse (Las Cruces) “Dona Ana County Courthouse (Las Cruces) Security Checkpoint Order: "General visitors must check cell phones in the security vestibule or leave them in their vehicles. Summoned jurors and attorneys are permitted devices in designated areas."”	Las Cruces	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	Yes (Free)	Free Validated
Santa Fe County Santa Fe County Courthouse (Santa Fe) “Santa Fe County Courthouse (Santa Fe) Security Checkpoint Order: "General visitors must check cell phones in the security vestibule or leave them in their vehicles. Summoned jurors and attorneys are permitted devices in designated areas."”	Santa Fe	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	Yes (Free)	Free Validated

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear my Apple Watch to court in New Mexico?

3 courthouses in New Mexico ban smartwatches alongside cell phones because they can record audio/photos. Leave your Apple Watch in your car if visiting a phone-ban courthouse.

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.