Bio

Judge Shonnetta Estrada was appointed to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in November 2022 after being recommended by the Bipartisan Judicial Nominating Commission. Judge Estrada must now run in the 2024 election to continue serving us on the Metro Court.

Judge Estrada serves in Division XI of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in the Felony Division, where she primarily hears Felony First Appearance Hearings and Preliminary Examination Hearings.

Prior to be appointed to the bench, Judge Estrada served as a prosecutor in the Second Judicial District Attorney's Office for the past four-and-a-half years, where she most recently worked as a senior trial attorney and assistant supervisor in the Major Crimes Division. She began her career in the DA's Office in the General Crimes Division.

While pursuing her Law Degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law, Judge Estrada held legal externships in the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Law Offices of the Public Defender. While in college, Judge Estrada dedicated her early career to helping children in a variety of roles, such as ensuring compliance with CYFD regulations for a childcare service provider and worked with organizations such as the Cesar Chavez Foundation, Youth Development Inc., and the Boys and Girls Club.

Born and raised in Denver, CO, she has called New Mexico home since 2010 and is raising her children with her husband in our community. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Psychology with a minor in Flamenco Dance from UNM.

Judge Estrada is a member of the NM Black Lawyers Association and the State Bar of New Mexico's Young Lawyers Division. She has also served as a member of the National District Attorneys' Association and the H. Vearle Payne American Inn of Court. She was proud to have served as UNM's Black Law Student Association President while in law school. She is the recipient of the 2022 Public Safety Champion of the Year Award by the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and the 2020 Prosecutor of the Year for the Second Judicial District.

Judge Estrada feels a deep responsibility to to serve her community in the most impactful way she can, and she believes that is as a Judge. From a young age, she has witnessed the significant impact the criminal justice system has had on her community. She dedicates her time on the bench to treating everyone before her with respect. Her lived values has taught her to value empathy, accountability, opportunity, fairness, discipline, justice, and representation. Judge Estrada loves serving us and being a part of the ongoing efforts to improve equitable access to justice.