LAS CRUCES, NM – Chickasaw citizen Jannette Mondragón has made history as the first female First American Magistrate Judge in Doña Ana County. Appointed March 29, 2024 by New Mexico Governor Michelle Grisham, Mondragón filled the seat previously occupied by Judge Rebecca Duffin. Duffin was appointed as Third Judicial District Court Judge.
“I am so proud to be a voice that is uplifting Indigenous voices at a table we have never had a seat,” said Mondragón. “I have a community to represent. I want to represent and be a resilient, positive role model for Chickasaws and other Indigenous people who want to work in law.”
A non-traditional law student, Mondragón began law school when she was 34 years old. Before pursuing a law degree, she attended New Mexico State University where she obtained bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and linguistics. While in law school, Mondragón also found herself working two internships – one at a public defender’s office and another with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. While at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mondragón took an interest in Indian Country crime.
“That’s where I realized how many jurisdictional issues we have in Indian Country that make it very difficult to help victims,” said Mondragón. “We started seeing those issues like MMIW [Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women] because of jurisdictional issues.”
Upon graduation, Mondragón began working at the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in New Mexico. She began working in misdemeanor charges, but quickly moved to more serious felony crimes. Her time at the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office ended when she decided to move to Las Cruces. She began working closely in immigration law and child support cases when the Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge position opened.
“I applied and was selected, so that’s my legal journey and the backstory to how I got here,” said Mondragón. “The Chickasaw Nation is one of the biggest pieces to my puzzle of success. Without the support of my tribe, I don’t think I would be where I am. It is incredible the resources they can provide and the lives they can change. The Chickasaw Nation is affecting real change, even if they may not realize it. They are positively changing distant communities.”
