If you have been ordered, by Los Alamos Municipal Court, to attend a Defensive Driving Class, you may choose one of the links below. The following are some companies that provide approved defensive driving classes:

ONLINE COURSES

• safe2drive.com
• drivinguniversity.com
• driversed.com
• ComedySafeDriver.com

*Spanish Course Available

There are costs associated with the courses and you are required to pay all fees. Please remember to allow for mailing time as to not exceed the court appointed deadline for completion.

You may use another course not listed here; however, the course must be approved by the State of New Mexico. For a full listing of approved Driving Safety Schools visit http://transportation.unm.edu/lic/ApprovedProviders.aspx?7

If the Judge orders you to take a Defensive Driving Course, you are required to provide the Court with a copy of your certificate of completion for the course. If the court does not receive a copy of your certificate within the required period you will be notified to appear before the court to show Cause for Non-Compliance.

Penalty assessment citations may be paid online, in person or by mail at the Court Clerk’s Office during normal business hours. Your payment must be received in the Court Clerk's office within thirty (30) days from the violation date.

Online Payments

In Person

Visit the office of the Municipal Court Clerk Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and pay at the window. 

Los Alamos Municipal Court
2500 Trinity Drive, Suite C
Los Alamos, NM 87544 
505.662.8025

The following payment types are accepted:

• Money Orders
• Cashier Checks
• Personal Checks
• Credit Cards – Mastercard or Visa (in person or over the telephone)

Mail

Mail your payment to: 

Los Alamos Municipal Court
2500 Trinity Drive, Suite C
Los Alamos, NM 87544 

The following payment types are accepted:

• Money Orders
• Cashier Checks
• Personal Checks

Q. What are the court's COVID procedures?

A. You must still wear a mask and practice social distancing at this facility. And, as always, if you are feeling sick or have been exposed to COVID, please stay home and call the court at 505-662-8025 instead of coming in.

Pursuant to Supreme Court Order No. 22-8500-018, you may appear with audio-video via zoom. If you cannot utilize the camera function of zoom, you must attend court in-person.

Q. Do I have to appear for court in person?

A. If you would like to appear for court via Zoom, please contact the court with your email address prior to your scheduled court date.

Q. How do I apply for a public defender?

A. To apply you must make an appointment by calling the probation department of the Los Alamos Municipal Court at (505) 662-8027.

At your appointment the interviewer will complete an eligibility determination form with you, as well as review pertinent financial documents.

It is recommended that the defendant bring as many of the following as possible to the interview to assist in making a determination:

• Copies of current bank statements (savings & checking)
• Documentation of welfare or any aid received
• Proof of rental or mortgage payment
• Receipts for any outstanding obligations such as vehicle loan, child support, medical bills, utilities, etc.
• Stocks, bonds or saving bonds including an estimate of current value
• Monthly income pay stubs or statement from employer for one month
• IRS returns filed for the past three years
• If you reside with anyone, information on that person's employment and wages for one year

The Municipal Court follows the State of New Mexico's guidelines for indigence.

Q. How do I clear my bench warrant?

A. If you wish to avoid being arrested you may turn yourself into the Court and arrange to appear at a scheduled arraignment. If you have a warrant for failure to pay fines you may be able to clear it by paying the outstanding fines and bench warrant fees at the payment window. Again, please be aware that the $100.00 fee will be charged in addition to your fines.

If you think there may be an outstanding bench warrant with Los Alamos Municipal Court issued for you, please contact the Municipal Court at (505) 662-8025. You can obtain information regarding your options and it is possible that you will be able to clear the warrant without being arrested.

At an arraignment, the Judge advises you of the charges against you and the maximum penalties you face if convicted, informs you of your rights and asks you for a plea. The plea is your response to the charges stated in the citation(s) or complaint.

Youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for all court proceedings.

Guilty: If you plead guilty, you may explain mitigating circumstances or other relevant aspects of your case to the Judge before sentencing. There is no right of appeal from a conviction based on a guilty plea.

Nolo Contendre or No Contest: This has the same effect as a plea of guilty in Municipal Court. It may have some benefit to you if you are facing civil action as a result of the incident that led to your citation. The Judge will proceed and sentence as if you had pled guilty.

Not Guilty: If you enter a plea of not guilty, the Judge may not hear any details about your case until the officer that issued the citation is present. There will be no further discussion of the facts of your case at the arraignment. A Pro Se trial will be scheduled for a later date and time.

Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Municipal Court does not have jurisdiction in the event of this plea, and your case will be transferred to District Court.

Waiver of Appearance:

Fillable Form

If you want to enter a plea of Not Guilty for your charge(s), you may utilize the Waiver of Appearance. This will waive the initial arraignment hearing and you will then be scheduled for trial. Once you have filled out the form, submit it for approval. This form must be submitted and approved prior to your scheduled arraignment date. If the form is not approved, you are still required to appear for the original court date/time. You may call the court at 505-662-8025 to follow up on the status of the submitted form.

The below classes are available for use in lieu of Community Service with prior approval ONLY. To obtain prior approval, contact the court at 505-662-8025.

Los Alamos Municipal Court Educational Excellence

*For additional Community Service guidelines, please refer to the Community Service.

Upcoming community events: 


Mental Health Matters: Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Awareness events FREE every Thursday in September at:

SALA's Parallel Cinema Series   
2551 Central Ave. @ 6:30 PM  

Let's C.H.A.A.T - September 7
Next Chapter - September 14
Under the Influence - September 21
Ask a Therapist - September 28

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Community Conversations Presents

Fentanyl Awareness: Overdose Recognition and Response

Online training with Bernie Lieving, MSW Statewide Overdose Prevention Education Coordinator. Download the flyer. 

September 27, 2023 @ 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Join us using this Zoom link. 

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Ask a Therapist

Recognizing and responding to depression and anxiety in youth of all ages, early signs and symptoms, tips for checking in, and how to identify and respond in a crisis. This FREE event will include a presentation, followed by discussion. Spanish language support is available. Download the pdf flyer. 

September 28th @ 6:30 PM - 8 PM
SALA's Parallel Cinema Series
2551 Central Ave. Los Alamos

Free childcare for kids ages 6 weeks to 12 years old (must be registered). 

Register here for the Ask a Therapist event and if needed, childcare