Rural New Mexico Faces Growing Legal Desert Crisis
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico, renowned for its expansive deserts, is now grappling with a troubling trend: a significant lack of legal representation in its rural areas, termed a “legal desert.” The state ranks fourth nationally for these underserved regions, with counties like Catron, De Baca, Harding, and Hidalgo lacking any active attorneys.
Data from Target 7 reveals that only 15 percent of the state’s 5,153 licensed lawyers practice outside the Albuquerque metro area, with nearly 80 percent concentrated in that urban region. This imbalance leaves many rural residents to navigate critical legal matters, such as custody disputes and eviction cases, without professional guidance. New Mexico Supreme Court Justice C. Shannon Bacon highlights that over 88 percent of family court litigants represent themselves, risking their housing and financial stability.
The decline of rural populations and the rapid retirement of older attorneys further exacerbate the issue. To combat this crisis, New Mexico launched the Rural Justice Initiative in 2024, providing incentives for law graduates to serve underserved communities. While only two lawyers are currently engaged in the initiative, Justice Bacon emphasizes that systematic changes will require time and innovative solutions. Without intervention, the justice gap between urban and rural areas may continue to grow.
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