Civil procedure includes the procedures and rules that govern civil (non-criminal) litigation in state and federal courts. Many states have rules of civil procedure written by the state supreme court, for example, and other states include their rules of procedure in state statutes enacted by the state legislature.
In New Mexico, civil procedure is governed by the New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts, which are promulgated by the New Mexico Supreme Court. These rules outline the procedures for civil litigation in the state's district courts, including the filing of lawsuits, pre-trial procedures, the conduct of trials, and the process for appeals. Additionally, New Mexico has specific statutes that may supplement the rules, such as those governing particular types of actions or the service of process. For federal cases, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure apply to civil litigation in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. These federal rules are consistent across all federal district courts and are established by the United States Supreme Court pursuant to the Rules Enabling Act.