Courts

New Mexico State Bar Foundation’s Legal Resources For Elderly Program To Host Free Virtual Legal Webinar Nov. 10

by

NMSBF News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico State Bar Foundation’s Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (“LREP”) will be hosting a free virtual legal webinar starting at 11 a.m. MT, Nov. 10. This webinar will cover Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives, probate, non-probate transfers (including Transfer on Death Deeds) and Institutional Medicaid.

New Mexico residents can register for this free webinar online at https://bit.ly/LREP-Nov-10 or by calling 505.797.6005 and providing their first and last name and email address. After registering, they will receive a confirmation Read More

Court Launches Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program In San Miguel, Mora, And Guadalupe Counties

by

NMSC News:

LAS VEGAS — Courts may order outpatient behavioral health treatment for certain people under a new program serving San Miguel, Mora and Guadalupe counties.

The Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program offers help to people who repeatedly have failed to follow voluntary treatment for mental health disorders and been jailed or hospitalized. Family members, behavioral health providers and others can ask a district court to require qualifying individuals ages 18 and older to participate in community-based treatment. Decisions are made through a civil legal process that protects Read More

NM Supreme Court Upholds Convictions In Fatal Shooting Of Convenience Store Clerk In Otero County

by

COURT News:

The state Supreme Court today affirmed the convictions of Joseph Sanders for first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery in the fatal shooting of a convenience store clerk in the Otero County community of Weed in 2023. 

Click here for the Court’s nonprecedential decision in State v. Sanders, S-1-SC-40725.

  Read More

State To Host Missing Persons Resource Event Nov. 22

by

NMDPS News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Public Safety will host a “Missing in New Mexico” event on Nov. 22 to connect families of missing persons with law enforcement updates, DNA collection services and representatives from multiple state agencies offering support.

The event will be held from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, at NMDPS Law Enforcement Academy Gym, 4491 Cerillos Road, Santa Fe, N.M. 87507

 

 

To register, visit: bit.ly/MissingInNM, https://form.jotform.com/251894571535163

Or scan the QR code.

  Read More

Española Postpones Decision On Pathways Shelter Overnight Permit, Refers To Independent Hearing Officer … To Continue Providing Overnight Beds Through Jan. 12, 2026

by

NMCLP News:

  • Procedurally unclear referral leaves final decision pending during the coldest months, as community watches to ensure critical winter services remain available

ESPAÑOLA — Following a late-night hearing Tuesday, the Española City Council delayed a final decision on the Pathways Shelter’s special use permit appeal, instead referring the matter to an independent hearing officer who will make a recommendation for the City Council.

The Council also voted to allow the shelter to continue its overnight operations through Jan. 12. Although Pathways remains open overnight for Read More

NM Trial Lawyers Step Up To Defend Detained Immigrants

by

NMTLA News:

ALBUQUERQUE — As federal immigration raids intensify and detention centers fill with people seeking asylum, the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association (NMTLA) is taking bold action to ensure every person has access to justice.

In partnership with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, the Immigration Justice Campaign, and the ACLU of New Mexico, NMTLA hosted a free Continuing Legal Education (CLE) training to prepare attorneys to provide pro bono legal representation to detained immigrants.

The response was overwhelming — more than 350 attorneys joined the virtual session to Read More

Safeguard Metals Liable For $51M In Precious Metals Fraud

by

NMRLD News:

SANTA FE — Safeguard Metals LLC and its owner Jeffrey Ikahn will pay $51.2 million in restitution and penalties for defrauding 450 elderly investors out of retirement savings in a precious metals scheme, state and federal regulators announced today.

The judgment against Safeguard Metals and Ikahn includes $25.6 million in restitution to victims and an equal monetary penalty that will be divided between the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and 30 state regulators, including New Mexico.

Six New Mexico investors purchased $2.2 million in the scheme, which ran Read More

Supreme Court Allows Allegations Of Prior Term Misconduct To Be Considered In District Attorney Removal Case

by

COURT News:

The state Supreme Court issued an order on Friday allowing allegations of misconduct in a prior term of McKinley County District Attorney Bernadine Martin to be considered in proceedings to remove her from office. Click here to view the Court’s order and the briefing by the parties on the legal issue. The case is State v. Martin, S-1-SC-41063.

The Court had directed Martin and the State on Oct. 17 to submit legal arguments on whether a district attorney could be removed only for misconduct that occurred during a current term. In Friday’s order, the Court rejected the term issue as a defense Read More

Administrative Office Of The Courts Announces Funding Increase For Regional Behavioral Health Planning

by

AOC Director Karl Reifsteck

AOC News: 

SANTA FE – Additional funding will be available for regional behavioral health planning across New Mexico, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) announced today.

Up to $60,000 – an increase from $45,000 – will be awarded in each of the state’s 13 behavioral health regions for the development of regional plans for providing behavioral health services. The plans are required under the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act, which was enacted earlier this year. The reform legislation was Senate Bill 3 during this year’s legislative session. Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Issues Orders In Case Over McKinley County District Attorney’s Removal From Office

by

Courtesy/NMSC

State Supreme Court News:

The New Mexico State Supreme Court issued an order Friday accepting jurisdiction over a petition by the state attorney general for the removal of McKinley County District Attorney Bernadine Martin from office.

The Court previously had directed the parties in the case to submit a briefing on the question of whether the Legislature could grant the legal authority over district attorney removals to the Supreme Court.

Also Friday, the Court issued a separate order directing the parties to file a response to another legal question raised in the case.

Click Read More