ATTENTION: As of July 1, 2023, the Pueblo of Santa Ana is now compliant with the Tribal Law and Order Act and Violence Against Women Act. Santa Ana Tribal Court is now enforcing enhanced sentencing in all criminal cases. Please refer to Santa Ana Tribal Code Title 8 Article 43 for all details and information.
General Information:
Hours of Operation:
Please be advised that the court will be closed on: November 27-28, 2025 in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, Regular Business operations will resume on Monday, December 01, 2025 @ 8:00 am. “We Wish you a safe and joyful holiday!”
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Closed
Main Phone: 505-771-6772
Address: **11 West Prairie Star Road Bernalillo, NM 87004
**Take a left turn at Prairie Star Road. We are located in a brand new complex next door to the Sandoval County Fire Station 21.
Tribal Court is held in the Judicial Complex Courtroom located directly across the rotunda of building entrance.
Map:
Welcome to Santa Ana Tribal Court
The Santa Ana Tribal Court is one of two courts within the Judicial Branch of the Pueblo of Santa Ana tribal government. As a court of general jurisdiction, the Contemporary Court hears many types of cases including but not limited to traffic, criminal, civil matters including probate, children and families in need of services, custody, child support, and civil disputes. The Pueblo of Santa Ana Contemporary Court has criminal jurisdiction over Indians enrolled in a federally-recognized tribe when the offense is committed within the boundaries of the Santa Ana Pueblo Reservation.
Court staff includes: the Contemporary Court Judge, a Court Administrator, a Court Clerk, a Deputy Court Clerk, a Bailiff, a Probation Officer, a Public Defender, a Prosecutor, and a Healing to Wellness Program Manager. Court staff is prohibited from giving legal advice to any party. A list of attorneys and advocates licensed to practice in the Pueblo of Santa Ana is available upon request.
Latest Announcements:
Administrative Order RE: Judge Transition 25-AO-0002 (July 1, 2025)
Administrative Order RE: Tribal Court Closure 25-AO-0001 (February 12, 2025)
Resolution No. 2024-R-06: Further Delaying Effective Date of Title IX (Motor Vehicle Code, 2022 Compilation) and Adopting Certain Sections of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Code in Interim
Resolution No. 2023-R-36: Amending the Criminal Code and Amending the Liquor Code
Memorandum Re: Enaction of Santa Ana Tribal Code (July 1, 2023)
Resolution No. 2023-R-26: Resolution Approving Governor’s Office Memorandum No. 6 (COVID-19)
Child Support Enforcement Memo to the Community (March 9, 2023)
Court Forms:
- Civil Complaint
- Motion to the Court Form
- Response to a Motion to the Court
- Complaint for a Temporary Restraining Order
- Response to a Complaint for a Temporary Restraining Order
- Petition for Temporary Custody
- Petition to Establish Paternity, Set Child Support, or Child Custody
- Petition for Change of Name
- Petition and Application for Appointment as Executor of Estate
- Petition for Legal Separation
- Petition to Establish Enrollment
- Request for a Hearing
- Petition to Open Traditional Court Case
- Petition for Guardianship
- Power of Attorney
- Petition for the Domestication of a Foreign Order
Santa Ana Tribal Court Weekly Docket
Staff Information:
All criminal and traffic hearings including trials are open to the public. If a hearing is scheduled to be held by videoconference, you may contact the Clerk’s Office, and a clerk may send a link to you via e-mail.
Contemporary Court Judge:
Leonard J. Foster
Traditional Court Judge:
Lt. Governor Kevin C. Montoya
Healing to Wellness Court Judge:
T. David Eisenberg
* Notice Regarding Judicial Contact: Due to matters currently under export, please refrain from contacting the judge directly regarding your case. For assistance, you may reach out to a Court Administrator or the Court Clerk. They will evaluate your inquiry and, if appropriate, forward any non-exported matters to the judge for review.
Court Administrator:
Tanya T. Chavez
505-549-8577
tanya.chavez@santaana-nsn.gov
Court Clerk:
VACANT
Deputy Court Clerk:
VACANT
Tribal Prosecutor:
Sean Distor
(505)-549-2948
sean.distor@santaana-nsn.gov
Public Defender:
Eileen Baca-Penner
Office Hours: Tues. and Thurs. 08:30-11:30
(505)-463-0344
eileen.baca-penner@santaana-nsn.gov
Healing to Wellness Program Manager:
Rosemary Manrique
(505)-771-6468
rosemary.manrique@santaana-nsn.gov
Probation/Pre-Trial Officer:
VACANT
Ordinances, Laws, Codes, and Rules
- 25 U.S. Code § 1302: Constitutional Rights
- Adopted NMSA 1978 Chapter 66
- Resolution No. 2024-R-06 Further Delaying Effective Date of Title XI (Motor Vehicle Code, 2022 Compilation)
- Resolution No. 2023-R-34 Further Delaying Effective Date of Title IX (Motor Vehicle Code) [INACTIVE]
- Resolution No. 2023-R-05 Authorizing Uniform Citation to Constitute a Criminal Complaint
- Resolution No. 2023-R-04 Setting Effective Date for Certain Sections of Santa Ana Tribal Code (2022 Compilation) [ONLY APPLIES TO CHAPTER 66 MOTOR VEHICLE CODE]
- Resolution No. 2016-R-67 Clarify Adoption of Criminal Citations [ONLY APPLIES TO CHAPTER 66 MOTOR VEHICLE CODE]
- Resolution 2023-R-39 Approving and Adopting Santa Ana Tribal Code 2022 Compilation
- Resolution 2023-R-36 Amended Criminal Code and Liquor Code
- PSA Code – Title 1 General Provisions
- PSA Code – Title 2 Government Organization and Operation
- PSA Code – Title 3 Membership and Enrollment
- PSA Code – Title 4 Taxation
- PSA Code – Title 5 Tribal Judiciary
- PSA Code – Title 6 Rules of the Contemporary Court
- PSA Code – Title 7 Law Enforcement
- PSA Code – Title 8. Criminal Code
- PSA Code – Title 10 Children’s Code
- PSA Code – Title 11 Civil Actions
- PSA Code – Title 12 Probate
- PSA Code – Title 13 Family Law
- PSA Code – Title 14 Property Law
- PSA Code – Title 15 Health-Environment Code
- PSA Code – Title 16 Cultural-Natural Resources
- PSA Code – Title 16a. 2023 Wildlife Regulations
- PSA Code – Title 17 Regulation of Business and Commerce
- PSA Code – Title 18 Civil Rights
- PSA Code – Title 19. Labor and Employment
- PSA Code – Title 20 Water Use and Management
- Resolution 2023-R-06: Approving Governor’s Office Memorandum No. 05 RE: COVID-19 Rules and Protocols
- Resolution 2022-R-30: Approving Governor’s Memorandum No. 4 (INACTIVE)
- Resolution 2022-R-20: Approving Governor’s Office Memorandum No. 3 (INACTIVE)
- Memo from Governor’s Office (May 3, 2022)
- Tribal Resolution 2022-R-13 (May 3, 2022)
- State of Emergency Order (2020 – INACTIVE)
- Administration Order 2020-1
- Resolution 2020-R-14 Executive Order Regarding COVID-19
- COVID-19 Color Code Chart 9 (INACTIVE)
- Memo from Governor’s Office (November 14, 2020)
Domestication Process/Request for Domestication of a Foreign Order
Resolution No. 07-R-54 Rule 12: COOPERATION WITH OTHER COURTS AND JURISDICTION
- The Contemporary Court shall serve as the Santa Ana Trial Court for the purpose of ruling on requests from other jurisdictions for issuance of arrest warrants, extradition, search warrants, writs, order of repossession or attachment, proceedings, and adjudications that arise under the Indian Child Welfare Act, and such other matters that may arise between sovereign judicial systems.
- Any warrant, service of process or any other court order from another jurisdiction must be provided to the Contemporary Court for domestication. If the Contemporary Court determines it is proper and appropriate, the order shall be served but the Pueblo Law Enforcement must accompany the service.
- You can provide all domestication requests to the Court Clerk’s Office.
Uniform Bond Schedule
BAIL BOND NOTICE
Criminal Rule 6-3-401 of the Pueblo of Santa Ana (PSA) Rules of Procedure for the Contemporary Court, adopted by Resolution No. 2022-R-39, creates the authority for the Pueblo of Santa Ana Contemporary Courts to set and post bail or bond and conditions of release as it deems appropriate, fair, and just. Pursuant to this authority, the Court hereby sets a schedule for the amount of bail for traffic offenses and other offenses that are cited into the Pueblo of Santa Ana Contemporary Court. Such bail schedules shall not govern when a person charged appears before the Pueblo of Santa Ana Court, or when the defendant’s case is reviewed by the Court. The bail schedules are advisory only, and the Court may raise, lower, or eliminate the bail amount at the Court’s discretion, based upon the circumstances of that particular case.
Unless the Pueblo of Santa Ana Court has issued a countervailing order, the bail bond for specific alleged offenses pending arraignment or trial shall be as outlined below:
PUEBLO OF SANTA ANA BOND SCHEDULE | |
Violent Crimes | |
Murder | No bond hold |
Aggravated Assault/Battery | $1000.00 |
Battery | $750.00 |
Assault/Battery Against Household Member | $1500.00 |
Property Damage | |
Criminal damage under $1000.00 | $250.00 |
Criminal damage over $1000.00 | $500.00 |
Motor Vehicle | |
Driving While License Suspended or Revoked | $500.00 |
DWI 1st | $500.00 |
DWI 2nd | $750.00 |
DWI 3rd | $1000.00 |
DWI 4TH (+) | $2500.00 |
Sexual Offenses | |
Criminal Sexual Penetration | No Bond |
Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor | No Bond |
Sexual Exploitation of Children | No Bond |
OTHER (If not specifically listed, above) | |
If the charge is listed as a 1st Class crime in the PSA Codes or a 1st degree felony in New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978 (NMSA) (Chapter 66 only) | No Bond |
If the charge is listed as a 2nd Class crime in the PSA Codes or a 2nd degree felony in the New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978 (NMSA) (Chapter 66 only) | $2500.00 |
If the charge is listed as a 3rd Class crime in the PSA Codes or a 3rd degree felony in the New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978 (NMSA) (Chapter 66 only) | $1000.00 |
If the charge is listed as a 4th Class crime in the PSA Codes or a 4th degree felony in the New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978 (NMSA) (Chapter 66 only) | $750.00 |
If the charge is listed as a 5th Class crime in the PSA Codes or a misdemeanor in the New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978 (NMSA) (Chapter 66 only) | $500.00 |
If the charge is listed as a 6th Class crime in the PSA Codes or petty misdemeanor in the New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978 (NMSA) (Chapter 66 only) | $250.00 |
Method of posting bond:
- The Santa Ana Pueblo Court requires that the defendant must deposit an amount equal to the bail bond. The Pueblo of Santa Ana does not accept any percentages of a bond amount or use third-party bondsmen.
- The bail bond may be paid at the Santa Ana Public Safety and Judicial Complex with a Court Clerk located at 11 West Prairie Star Road, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico 87004. All bond payments will be processed through the Court Clerk’s office. The Public Safety and Judicial Complex is open during regular business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. M-F, but may have irregular closures due to tribal holidays, personnel availability, etc. The Clerk’s office can accept cash payments, money orders, cashier’s check, or credit card payments for appearance bonds.
- The bail bond may also be posted at the Sandoval County Detention Center AFTER HOURS ONLY. The Detention Center will only accept money orders or cashier’s check made payable to the Pueblo of Santa Ana Tribal Court. If a bond is posted at the detention center, booking staff will notify the Clerk’s office of any bonds posted and mail all paperwork and payments to the Clerk’s office.
Payment to Tribal Court
In-Person Payments
All in-person payments for fines and fees are made to the Pueblo of Santa Ana Tribal Court at:
Santa Ana Tribal Court
11 West Prairie Star Road
Bernalillo, NM 87004
All in person payments can be made by credit card, exact cash or money order.
Payments Made by U.S. Mail
You can mail in a money order payment through the U.S. Mail to:
The Pueblo of Santa Ana (Tribal Court)
11 W Prairie Star Road
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Please include the case number and/or copy of the citation with the money order.
The court will forward your money order to the tribal finance department and once the receipt is prepared, we will mail you the original receipt and record the payment in your case records.
Marriage Solemnizations
Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure for the Contemporary Court, the Pueblo of Santa Ana Tribal Council has determined that the Contemporary Court has jurisdiction over all matters and parties which lawfully fall within the jurisdiction of the Pueblo of Santa Ana. The Pueblo of Santa Ana Contemporary Tribal Court Judge has the authority to perform civil, non-traditional marriage ceremonies for enrolled members of the Pueblo of Santa Ana living within the jurisdiction of the Pueblo of Santa Ana.
Prior to making the request and scheduling a civil marriage ceremony, you will need:
- A Marriage License obtained from the Sandoval County Clerk’s office.
SCHEDULING
Contact the Pueblo of Santa Ana Contemporary Court Deputy Clerk, Janiece Garcia, at (505) 584-1732 or email janiece.garcia@santaana-nsn.gov for available dates. When you call, please provide the following information:
- Full name of Groom(s);
- Full name of Bride(s);
- Desired wedding time and date;
- Phone number of bride(s)/groom(s); and
- Email addresses.
ON THE DATE OF MARRIAGE
You will need to bring the following:
- Photo identification for both parties; and
- Two witnesses (must be 18 or older); The Court does not provide witnesses