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James DeRossit, a Las Cruces defense attorney and long-time public defender, was appointed on May 6 as the second judge in Las Cruces Municipal Court.
The appointment comes as the city and council refocus attention on the municipal court as a venue to alleviate issues around petty crime. Since the election of Judge Anthony Filosa in 2023, the council and mayor have instructed the municipal court and city attorney’s office to hire more attorneys to prosecute and defend cases.
The city council also instructed the court to improve access to diversionary programs, such as a homeless court connecting unhoused people to community resources.
“More than any other court, the municipal court deals directly with pressing quality-of-life issues affecting us in this beautiful city,” DeRossit said upon accepting the job. “I pledge to serve this city in that role, treating every person who comes before the court with dignity and respect.”
The council approved DeRossit on a 6-1 vote. Bill Mattiace, councilor for District 2, said he voted against the appointment because he wasn’t present for the interview.
According to a presentation by Human Resources Assistant Director JC Borrego, seven people applied to be municipal judges. Five were interviewed before DeRossit was selected.
Borrego said DeRossit received his law degree from Washington and Lee University in Virginia. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis and a master’s in philosophy from the University of Texas.
DeRossit has been a lawyer for 20 years, including as managing attorney at the 11th Judicial District Public Defender’s Office in northwest New Mexico.
DeRossit’s appointment also comes with a six-figure salary. Las Cruces city code mandates that the second municipal court judge receive 95 percent of what the court’s top judge earns. According to city records, DeRossit’s salary will be $147,909.53.
The same records noted that DeRossit is an active New Mexico State Bar attorney.
The municipal court oversees petty misdemeanor crimes, such as trespassing and vandalism, within city limits. However, it does not have exclusive jurisdiction over these. Police officers often act as prosecutors in these low-level offenses and can choose to take the case to the Doña Ana Magistrate Court.
DeRossitt’s appointment lasts until 2026. To keep the seat, he’ll have to face an electoral challenge in the 2025 municipal elections.
