Lovington District Court is Lea county's Fifth district court in the judicial district court system of New Mexico.

Lea county was formed from parts of Eddy and Chaves counties around 1917 and named for the first mayor of Roswell and the father of the New Mexico Military Institute. The first settlers in the county found only wagon roads and cattle trails for travel between small settlements. A railroad, telegraph, daily newspaper, running stream or river did not exist. Much has changed with the discovery of oil and gas which add to an economy heavy in the agriculture, cattle and dairy industries. The annual Lea County fair and rodeo held in early August at the fairgrounds in Lovington has something for everyone. If you want entertainment there is the carnival, concerts and the fiddler's contest. If you want excitement there is the Professional Rodeo Cowboys association rodeo, the Mutton Bustin, Stick Horse racing, local team roping, Open Barrel race and the special rodeo. For a celebration of heritage there is the Hispanic Heritage celebration.