Courts

New Mexico Supreme Court Extends Suspension On Jury Trials In Criminal And Civil Cases To May 29

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — The state Supreme Court has extended a suspension on jury trials in criminal and civil cases until May 29 because of the continuing public health threat from COVID-19.

The Court previously had ordered a suspension of new criminal and civil jury trials until April 30. 

“The Court believes it is prudent to continue the suspension of jury trials to help protect public health and control the spread of COVID-19,” Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura said.

The Court’s order continues other precautionary measures previously implemented to limit the number of people who need to visit Read More

FBI: Albq. Man Charged With Shooting At Cars Near I-25

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Byron Rosetta, 35, of Albuquerque, made an initial appearance Tuesday in federal court in Albuquerque on a criminal complaint charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon and discharging a firearm in the commission of a violent crime in Indian Country.

According to the criminal complaint, Rosetta, an Indian, allegedly committed the offense April 5 on the Kewa Pueblo (formerly known as the Santo Domingo Pueblo) in Sandoval County. The incident happened on State Road 22 near mile marker 2.5. 

Rosetta was driving a dark sedan when he passed and shot at a vehicle, narrowly Read More

Watch New Mexico Supreme Court Hearing On Primary Election Procedures On YouTube At 1:30 P.M. Today

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New Mexico Supreme Court Building at 237 Don Gaspar Ave. in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo

COURT News:

SANTA FE – The live streaming of the Supreme Court hearing in a case concerning June Primary Election procedures begins at 1:30 p.m., today … click here to watch: YouTube channel.

This will be the first hearing by the New Mexico Supreme Court conducted by video conferencing.

Attorneys in the case will appear by video using the Judiciary’s audio-video system. Justice Barbara Vigil also will participate by video. Chief Justice Judith Nakamura, Justice Michael Vigil and retired Justices Richard  Read More

Supreme Court Election Case Hearing Streamed Live Tuesday

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COURT News:

SANTA FE – Live streaming will be available Tuesday of a Supreme Court hearing in a case concerning procedures for the June primary election.

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.  

This will be the first hearing by the New Mexico Supreme Court conducted by video conferencing.

Attorneys in the case will appear by video using the Judiciary’s audio-video system. Justice Barbara Vigil also will participate by video. Chief Justice Judith Nakamura, Justice Michael Vigil and retired Justices Richard  Read More

New Mexico Courts, Health Officials And Attorneys Work Together To Prepare For Possible Isolation And Quarantine Cases During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

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Administrative Office of the Courts News:

SANTA FE – The Judicial branch of government, the Department of Health and attorneys across New Mexico are working collaboratively to prepare for the possibility that state authorities may request court orders to isolate or quarantine individuals posing a public health threat during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The state Supreme Court organized online training for judges and attorneys this week on provisions of state law allowing the department to petition a district court for orders to isolate or quarantine people during a public health emergency. Read More

FBI: Silver City Accountant Pleads Guilty To Federal Wire Fraud And Aggravated Identity Theft In $1.5 Million Scheme

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Thomas Laws, 62, of Silver City pleaded guilty Wednesday in Federal Court in Las Cruces to four counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft in a scheme to steal more than $1.5 million from his victims.

According to his plea agreement, Laws worked as a licensed accountant and registered investment advisor in Silver City. He provided accounting, tax preparation and investment services to clients. From 2008 to 2019, Laws engaged in a scheme to obtain money by false pretenses and fraudulent misrepresentations made to clients, lenders, investors and others.  Read More

Los Alamos Police Solve Recent Quemazon Burglary

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LAPD News:

The Los Alamos Police Department has announced that one burglary April 1 in the Quemazon area was solved Tuesday as a result from work done by the LAPD Criminal Investigations Section and assistance from the Community.

Three Juveniles will have charges forwarded to the Office of Juvenile Probation and Parole in connection with this crime.

All property associated with this case has been returned to the victim.

The Los Alamos Police Department is continuing to follow up on leads related to the other recent burglaries and wants to remind the public to be vigilant in contacting police Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Suspends In-Person CYFD Family Visits For 30 Days Due To COVID-19 Pandemic

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — The Children, Youth & Families Department announced Friday that it will begin facilitating court-ordered family visits for children who are in foster care through video and telephone conferencing.

This is to comply with a directive from the New Mexico Supreme Court that suspends in-person visits for 30 days because of public health risks from COVID-19.

“Suspending in-person visitations is an incredibly difficult decision for the Department, as we know it will cause heartbreak for many children and families working towards reunification,” said” CYFD Secretary Read More

New Mexico Courts Increase Restrictions And Public Health Precautions To Guard Against Spread Of COVID-19

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — Additional restrictions and public health precautions at New Mexico courthouses were ordered Monday by the State Supreme Court to guard against the spread of COVID-19.

“Courts recognize that extraordinary steps are necessary to protect public safety and the health of New Mexicans. Our courts must continue to provide essential services in the justice system,” Chief Justice Judith K. Nakamura said.

Under the Supreme Court’s order:

  • While limits on “mass gatherings” established by the state public health order do not apply to courthouses because courts provide essential
Read More

Courts: Game & Fish To Turn Over Information Of Successful Big-Game Applicants To James Whitehead Of Los Alamos

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James Whitehead

DISTRICT COURT News:

SANTA FE – A First Judicial District Court judge has ordered the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to turn over the names and addresses of all successful big-game applicants for the years 2015 through April 23, 2019 to Los Alamos County resident James Whitehead.

Additionally, the New Mexico Court of Appeals ordered the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to turn over the email addresses of individuals who applied for state hunting licenses for the years 2015 through 2016 to former Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn.

Both decisions conclude that information Read More