Joseph Cervantes was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and raised farming near La Mesa in southern Doña Ana County.
Cervantes began his legal career as an associate of the Albuquerque law firm Modrall Sperling Roehl Harris & Sisk.
As a recognized courtroom lawyer Cervantes was trial and appellate counsel part of the Santa Fe jury wrongful death verdict against FedEx for $165 million.
Cervantes was first elected to public office in 1998 defeating Republican incumbent Doña Ana County Commissioner Dora Harp.
[citation needed] In the June 2012 Democratic primary election Cervantes defeated former Sunland Park Mayor Jesus Ruben Segura.
[citation needed] A Roman Catholic, Cervantes made news when a local parish priest and bishop advised Cervantes he would be denied Holy Communion because of his votes to advance legislation on reproductive freedoms for women, and for end of life medical care for terminally ill patients.
In his role as Senate Judiciary Chairman Cervantes rejected conditions imposed by his local prelate to withhold hearings on pending legislation.