New Mexico AOC Director named 2014 Warren E. Burger Award recipient

“Artie Pepin has the vision and the dedication of a true leader. He continually takes innovative and decisive steps to improve the operation of the New Mexico courts. His accomplishments in New Mexico have made him a role model among state courts nationally,” said NCSC President Mary C. McQueen.

As Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, Pepin has led New Mexico’s courts through several key phases including:

• Successfully navigating the judiciary through the economic recession
• Expanding language access at all court levels
• Leading a multi-agency effort to reduce jail overcrowding in the largest judicial district in New Mexico
• Implementing a statewide electronic case management and e-filing system that has changed the way courts manage and process cases in New Mexico.

New Mexico Chief Justice Barbara J. Vigil praises Pepin’s efforts in language access. “With Artie’s vision and leadership, New Mexico courts have implemented the most robust and innovative language access program in the country.” The New Mexico Language Access Center addresses the needs of non-English speaking individuals and those with limited English proficiency by providing online training programs and offering consulting training services for state courts.

Pepin also assisted with the implementation of the state’s new technology infrastructure. New Mexico’s electronic case management and e-filling system helps judges obtain easy access to case information and allows attorneys to propose orders electronically.

Pepin has served as Director of the New Mexico AOC since 2006. He has been an active member of the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) since 2006, and served on COSCA’s Board of Directors since 2012. He currently serves as Chair of the Bernalillo County Criminal Justice Review Commission.

The National Center for State Courts, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a nonprofit court reform organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership and service to the state courts. Founded in 1971 by the Conference of Chief Justices and Chief Justice of the United States Warren E. Burger, NCSC provides education, training, technology, management, and research services to the nation’s state courts.