New Mexico Supreme Court reaffirms commitment to diversity and equity in justice system
Court releases open letter outlining efforts to ensure inclusivity
Organ Mountain News report
SANTA FE - The New Mexico Supreme Court has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive justice system, addressing concerns over challenges to inclusivity efforts at the federal level.
In an open letter to the public, the Court emphasized its guiding principle: “Dedicated to the Administration of Equal Justice Under Law,” a phrase inscribed above the justices’ bench in the Supreme Court Building.
“For 123 years, these words have served as a guidepost to the Justices and a promise to all New Mexico,” the Court stated. “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.”
The justices reaffirmed their dedication to eliminating barriers to justice and ensuring equal treatment for all individuals, regardless of factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability or language proficiency.
“We remain devoted to eliminating barriers to justice, promoting equal access, and ensuring that every individual is treated with dignity or 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,” the Court wrote.
The justices also pledged to continue working with judges, court staff, attorneys, the Commission on Equity and Justice, and other community justice partners to improve accessibility and fairness within the state’s legal system.
The full letter is available here.
The Supreme Court established the Commission on Equity and Justice in 2020 to address systemic inequities in the judiciary. Since then, the Court has implemented policies requiring courts to use an individual’s designated name and pronouns. The Administrative Office of the Courts has also launched a statewide Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Program, which provides training for judges and court staff on addressing inequities within the judicial process and fostering inclusivity in the workplace.