Courts

New Mexico Governor Applauds Unanimous House Passage Of Priority Legislation Strengthening Penalties For Second Degree Murder

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From the Office of the Governor:

…HB 79 abolishes the statute of limitations for second degree murder; increases penalty to 18 years.

SANTA FE — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement Friday following the state House voting unanimously to approve House Bill 79, increasing penalties and removing the statute of limitations for second degree murder:

“Making dozens of unsolved homicides eligible for prosecution and resolution when they are solved will have an incredible effect on New Mexico families across the state. This important legislation will ensure Read More

Frustrations Rise As ‘Tough On Crime’ Measures Stall

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Jennie Becerra, mother of Jacob Becerra, who was slain in 2020, speaks against a bill that would end life sentences without parole for juvenile offenders. She was among the family members of violent crime victims gathered Wednesday for a news conference outside the Roundhouse. Photo by Jim Weber/SFNM

By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Less than a month after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham held a news conference to say she was going to push a “tough on crime” agenda in this year’s legislative session, district attorneys, Republican lawmakers and crime victims held their own gathering Wednesday Read More

Bill Reforming Legal Fines And Fees Passes House Floor

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The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo

NMDP News:

SANTA FE — HB 81, which would require criminal courts to assess a convicted person’s ability to pay before imposing fines and fees related to the criminal proceeding, passed the House by a vote of 45 to 21.

HB 81 also would allow courts to permit monthly installment payments for people who cannot pay. The bill also expands community service to include job training, education and rehabilitation programs and increases monetary credit of community service hours.

“Burdensome and discriminatory legal fines and fees are unreliable sources of Read More

Bill Aiming To End Juvenile Lifetime Sentences Clears New Mexico State Senate

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The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo

By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

After an emotionally charged two-hour debate Tuesday, the state Senate passed a bill that bans life without the possibility of parole as a sentencing option for juveniles convicted of first-degree murder.

The 23-15 party-line vote on Senate Bill 43 came over the objection of Republicans who argued it would put the interests of criminals over their victims.

“What does tough on crime in New Mexico mean?” Sen. Greg Baca, R-Belen, asked his colleagues.

“It means loosening of sentences,” he said. “It doesn’t mean Read More

House Passes Bill Streamlining State’s Court Fee System

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FFJC News:

Tuesday, the New Mexico House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved HB 81, which would streamline the state’s court fee system and stop assessing people with court fees that they are unlikely to ever be able to pay.

HB 81 would ensure that courts can reduce and waive court taxes on low-income New Mexicans, while maintaining judges’ discretion to impose probation, jail, or other sanctions. The legislation was developed in cooperation with and endorsed by the New Mexico Sentencing Commission.

It also was unanimously endorsed by the Courts, Corrections and Justice Interim Read More

Attorney General Hector Balderas Reports On Organized Retail Crime Operation In New Mexico; Nets Multiple Arrests

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE—Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that a two-day coordinated law enforcement operation targeting organized retail crime resulted in the arrest of multiple offenders over the weekend, the majority being repeat offenders.

The operation was specifically designed to target in-progress felonies and known repeat offenders at Albuquerque retailers.

Starting Feb. 4, investigators made 17 arrests, including 15 felony arrests. Additionally, the operation resulted in the recovery of three stolen vehicles and approximately Read More

Spence Law Firm Settles Oil Field Explosion For $11.5 Million

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SPENCE LAW FIRM News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The Spence Law Firm, one of New Mexico’s largest personal injury and wrongful death law firms, represented the three young sons and parents of a man killed in an explosion at a saltwater disposal facility in the Permian Basin, which resulted in an $11.15 million settlement.

The settlement was reached after two years of litigation to obtain the settlement due to the mismanagement and scheduling errors that created dangerous conditions and a worksite explosion.

“What was so tragic about this situation was that a father was killed in the explosion, leaving three Read More

FBI: Church Rock Man Gets Six Years For Abusing Child

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Manison Largo, 42, of Church Rock, N.M., and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced Friday in Federal Court to six years and six months in prison for abusive sexual contact with a child.

Largo pleaded guilty Oct. 19, 2021.

According to his plea and other court records, on multiple occasions between August 2017 and March 2018, Largo sexually abused the victim, who also is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.

During the course of the abuse, which occurred at Largo’s residence in Church Rock on the Navajo Nation, the victim had not attained the age of 12. The Read More

NMCLP: Court Orders State To Identify Languages Spoken By Families Trying To Access Food & Medical Assistance

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NMCLP News:

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty (NMCLP) announced that last week, a federal court ordered the New Mexico Human Services Department to collect data on the languages spoken by New Mexicans served by the state’s food and medical assistance program and affirmed the agency’s legal obligation to translate documents based on the demographics of those served by local agency offices. 

“We are relieved and heartened by the judge’s order. Everyone, including those who speak languages other than English, deserves to have access to the resources intended Read More

Heinrich, Luján Welcome Nomination Of Alexander M.M. Uballez To Serve As U.S. Attorney District Of New Mexico

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Alexander M.M. Uballez

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) welcomed President Joe Biden’s nomination of Alexander M.M. Uballez for U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico.

“We are very pleased that President Biden accepted our strong recommendation to nominate Alexander M.M. Uballez to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District Court of New Mexico,” Heinrich and Luján said. “Mr. Uballez’s entire career has been in service to New Mexico. Having prosecuted federal and state crimes, he is intimately familiar with the very Read More