N.M. Code R. § 11.1.4.113
To enforce any provision of Chapter 50, Article 4, if the amount of the wage claim does not exceed the jurisdictional limit for the metropolitan or magistrate court, the LRD may file an action against the employer on behalf of the wage claimant in the appropriate court. The LRD shall obtain an assignment of the wage claim as provided in Section 50-4-11 NMSA1978 prior to proceeding with any court action. The LRD will request a recording of all hearings in magistrate or metropolitan court to preserve the right to appeal to district court. The LRD will promptly forward any notice of hearing received from the magistrate or metropolitan court to the claimant in the manner selected by the wage claimant in the wage claim form. In the event the amount of a valid and enforceable wage claim exceeds the jurisdictional limit for the metropolitan or magistrate court, the LRD shall refer the matter to the district attorney for the district wherein any violation occurs by sending the district attorney the complete investigation file and cooperating with the district attorney throughout the prosecution of the action. The LRD may file a proof of claim on behalf of the wage claimant in any U.S. bankruptcy court. The LRD will not be responsible for providing an attorney to represent a wage claimant in any administrative or judicial proceeding. The wage claimant will also be advised that he or she may exercise the private right of action set forth in Sections 37-1-5 and 50-4-26 NMSA1978 and may wish to consult with an attorney regarding filing such a claim.
N.M. Code R. § 11.1.4.113