Courts

New Mexico Office Of Public Defender Supports Class Action Lawsuit Calling For Immediate Coronavirus Safety In Prisons

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LOPD News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender strongly supports the pro bono lawsuit filed Aug. 24 by local and international law firms on behalf of people incarcerated in state prisons.

The suit seeks to improve prison coronavirus safety measures as soon as possible to prevent further deaths of inmates and community spread. It does not seek monetary damages.

“A huge number of incarcerated New Mexicans are current or former LOPD clients,” Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur said. “When we as a community incarcerate people, we have a legal and ethical obligation for their Read More

AG Balderas: Criminal Charges Filed Against Former Farmington Police Officer Accused Of Battering Student

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Wednesday the filing of multiple criminal charges against former Farmington Police Ofc. Zachary Christensen for multiple counts of battery and one count of felony child abuse.

These criminal charges stem from an incident occurring Aug. 27, 2019, in which then Ofc. Christensen allegedly battered and abused an 11-year-old girl at Mesa View Middle School.

“We must uphold the law and ensure that New Mexico’s school children are protected, particularly those who are most vulnerable,” Balderas Read More

Live Streaming Of New Mexico Supreme Court Hearing On Public Health Order Restrictions On Businesses Today

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SUPREME COURT News:

SANTA FE – A New Mexico Supreme Court hearing will be live streamed today in a case concerning the state’s authority to restrict or close restaurants and businesses during a public health emergency.

Oral arguments in the case begin at 1:30 p.m., and New Mexico PBS, KNME-TV, will stream the hearing on its YouTube channel.

Here is the link to the webcast: https://youtu.be/cHLxhsA8Gs4

The case is Lujan Grisham v. Romero, S-1-SC-38396.

  Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Hearing On Business Restrictions Under Public Health Emergency Live Streamed Wednesday

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SUPREME COURT News:

SANTA FE — There will be live streaming of a New Mexico Supreme Court hearing Wednesday, Aug. 26, in a case concerning the state’s authority to restrict or close restaurants and businesses during a public health emergency.

Oral arguments in the case will begin at 1:30 p.m., and New Mexico PBS, KNME-TV, will stream the hearing on its YouTube channel.  

The case is Lujan Grisham v. Romero, No. S-1-SC-38396. Read More

New Mexico District Courts Pilot Online Payment System

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — Members of the public can pay online for court case copies with a new system launched in state district courts in six counties in north-central and southwestern New Mexico.

The online payment system can help reduce the number of people who need to visit a courthouse during the current pandemic.

Under a pilot program in the Fourth and Sixth Judicial Districts, online payments with a credit card or debit card will be an option for people who do not want to mail payments or go to a courthouse to pay in-person. Fees for photocopies or certified copies of court case records can be paid Read More

New Mobile App Accesses New Mexico Court Cases

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Supreme Court News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Supreme Courts has announced a new mobile app provides convenient access to New Mexico court case information from portable electronic devices such as cell phones and tablets.

“New Mexico Courts are committed to using innovative technology, like this software program, to improve public access to information about the judicial system,” Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael E. Vigil said.

The Case Lookup app displays summary information for civil and criminal cases including:

  • Scheduled hearings;
  • Names of the parties,
  • Attorneys and presiding
Read More

FBI: Colorado Man Sentenced For Interstate Communications Threatening To Kill New Mexico Official, Attorney

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Andrew Graham, 40, of Snowmass, Colorado, was sentenced Wednesday, Aug. 5, to 15 months in federal prison for interstate communication of threats.

In December, Graham pled guilty in federal court to sending communications threatening to kill an official with the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department as well as an attorney with a private law firm.

Graham had originally sought help from the Department and the firm in recovering money taken from a trust fund, stolen by Paul Donisthorpe in the Desert State fraud case. As those recovery efforts met with limited Read More

New Mexico Environment Department Files Emergency Amendment To Require Employers To Disclose Positive COVID-19 Cases To State Within Four Hours

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NMED News:

...Amendment will result in decreased COVID-19 transmission in New Mexico workplaces

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) filed an emergency rule today that requires employers to report positive COVID-19 cases to NMED within four hours of being notified of the case.

The emergency amendment goes into effect today and will remain in effect for no more than 120 days, unless NMED proposes and the Environmental Improvement Board adopts a permanent rule prior to the end of the 120-day period.

NMED’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau is frequently notified of positive Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Unanimously Rules Governor May Fine Businesses In Violation Of Public Health Order

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NM SUPREME COURT News:

The New Mexico Supreme Court in a unanimous decision Tuesday ruled that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration may impose up to $5,000 in fines on businesses violating the state’s public health orders.

An audio recording of the hearing is available on the Court’s website by clicking here. 

To listen to the Court’s announcement of its bench ruling, click here. 

Oral arguments were streamed by New Mexico PBS, KNME-TV, and remain available on its YouTube channel. Read More

Live Streaming Of Supreme Court Hearing On Enforcement Of Public Health Emergency Orders

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — There will be live streaming of a Supreme Court hearing Tuesday, Aug. 4, in a case concerning the state’s authority to enforce public health emergency orders by imposing civil administrative penalties.

Oral arguments in the case will begin at 9 a.m., and New Mexico PBS, KNME-TV, will stream the hearing on its YouTube channel. 

The case is Lujan Grisham v. Reeb, S-1-SC-38336. Read More