Courts

State Supreme Courts Must Lead Innovation And Reform Of Legal Education And Admissions

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NMSC News:

WILLIAMBURG, VA — The Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) today released the findings of an 18-month effort to better understand the changing legal profession and why it is not meeting the needs of the American people. The study is based on 12 regional listening conferences across the country; more than 90 interviews and focus groups of a wide range of stakeholders; and surveys of over 4,000 judges, 4,400 practicing attorneys, and 600 law students.

The report is from CCJ and COSCA’s Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform Read More

Supreme Court Of New Mexico Announce Conclusion Of Its 2024-2025 Term And Commencement Of 2025-2026 Term

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NMSC News:

At its February 2024 administrative conference, the Supreme Court of New Mexico approved sitting in terms. The Court’s first term began in the Fall of 2024 and concluded on July 15, 2025, with the Court having resolved all 59 cases submitted since September 2024. In addition to resolving the 59 term cases, the Court also disposed of 39 non-term cases. In total, the Court filed dispositions in 98 cases from September 2024 to July 15, 2025.

The 2025-2026 Term will begin this fall, with oral arguments in the months of September, October, and December. Dispositions for all cases submitted Read More

EEOC Sues Scalo Restaurant In Albuquerque For Managers Harassing And Retaliating Against Female Workers

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EEOC News: 

ALBUQUERQUE – Scalo Restaurant, an Albuquerque restaurant located in the city’s Nob Hill neighborhood, violated federal civil rights laws when its male managers sexually harassed female employees and then retaliated against those female workers who spoke out against the abusive conduct, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit announced today.

According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, two male managers subjected female employees to relentless sexual harassment, including: vulgar comments about female customers and employees; physically Read More

Retired NM Courts Administrator Receives National Award

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COSCA President Regina deChabert Petersen (left) and Artie Pepin, with the Kenneth P. Palmer Distinguished Service Award. Courtesy/Administrative Office of the Courts

NMSC News:

SANTA FE – A national organization on Tuesday honored Arthur “Artie” Pepin, retired director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).

Pepin received the Kenneth P. Palmer Distinguished Service Award from the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) during a ceremony at its annual meeting in Maine. Pepin retired last year after serving 18 years as AOC director. The AOC supports operations of Read More

FBI: Arizona Man Pleads Guilty To Abuse Of Child

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Phoenix man faces up to life in prison after admitting in federal court to sexually abusing a minor.

According to court records, in 2019, Jeremy Blueeyes, 26, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, engaged in sexual contact with a minor who had not yet attained the age of 12.

Blueeyes pleaded guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact of a minor. At sentencing, Blueeyes faces up to life in prison. Upon his release from prison, Blueeyes will be subject to not less than five years and up to life of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison Read More

New Mexico State Police Involved In Shooting In Santa Fe

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NMSP News:

SANTA FE – On July 26, 2025, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving New Mexico State Police (NMSP).

Investigators learned that at approximately 1 p.m., the Santa Fe Police Department (SFPD) was dispatched to 18A Reata Road for a welfare check. The calling party requested a welfare check on her daughter, who she believed was being physically assaulted by her boyfriend, Paul Gallegos, 38.

Upon arrival, SFPD officers made contact with the daughter, who exited a recreational vehicle (RV) on the property Read More

FBI: Little Water Man Faces Up To 10 Years  For Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Little Water man has been charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury following an incident in 2024.

According to court documents, on July 29, 2024, Anthony Sandoval, 40, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted the victim with a rifle, and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury.

Sandoval is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Sandoval will remain in third-party custody pending trial, which has not yet been Read More

FBI: Zuni Man Charged With Stabbing Victim In Abdomen

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man has been charged in federal court for allegedly stabbing another man without provocation, causing serious injuries.

According to court documents, on the night of June 16, 2025, Adrian Cheama, 36, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, allegedly approached the victim while he was walking with a friend along a residential street in Zuni, New Mexico.

Without provocation, Cheama stabbed the victim in the abdomen with a weapon described as either a circular metal pole or a knife, then walked away laughing. The victim sustained serious injuries as a result.

Multiple Read More

Dannemann: Work Comp Law Changes Increase Attorney Fees

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By MERILEE DANNEMANN
www.triplespacedagain.com

It has been quite a while since New Mexico has done anything substantive to make life better for injured workers covered by the workers’ compensation system.

Instead, we’re making it easier for them to hire lawyers.

Three different actions, a law and two court decisions, have made inroads into the only barrier reducing lawyers’ incentive to represent injured workers in court: money.

About 90 percent of workers compensation claims are resolved without litigation. Either the treatment of the worker was reasonable, so litigation was not needed, Read More

State Hosting National Meeting Of Appellate Court Clerks

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New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Clerk Elizabeth Garcia. Courtesy photo

COURT News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Court clerks of state and federal appellate courts from across the country will gather in New Mexico next month for a national conference. The 52nd annual meeting of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks (NCACC) will occur on Aug. 3-7 in Albuquerque. It features educational sessions on topics ranging from cyber security to access to justice and courthouse security.

“The conference offers a great opportunity to showcase the Land of Enchantment, the city of Albuquerque and our state Read More