New Mexico Twelfth Judicial District Court, Division I
Background Stephen P. Ochoa is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Twelfth Judicial District Court, covering Lincoln and Otero counties. He presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. He is a longtime Otero County attorney.
Prior Experience Prior to his appointment, Ochoa maintained a private practice focused on criminal defense, family law, and civil litigation. He has been active in the local legal community and previously served in prosecutorial and public defense roles earlier in his career.
Appointment & Current Role A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench on June 23, 2023, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to fill a vacancy.
Election Status He was elected in the November 2024 general election. His current term expires on December 31, 2026.
Sources / Links:
- Twelfth Judicial District Court Judges: https://twelfthdistrict.nmcourts.gov/about-this-district/judges/
- Governor’s Appointment Announcement (2023): https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/06/23/governor-announces-judicial-appointment/
- Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Stephen_P._Ochoa
- Local Election Coverage: Alamogordo Daily News and Otero County sources




















































