Courts

Jacqueline R. Medina Selected Chief Judge Of New Mexico Court Of Appeals

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Chief Judge Jacqueline R. Medina

State Court of Appeals News:

SANTA FE – Judge Jacqueline R. Medina is the new Chief Judge of the New Mexico Court of Appeals, selected by a peer vote.

She is serving a two-year term, and succeeded Judge Jennifer L. Attrep, who held the position since 2023. The chief judge is the administrative authority over the 10-member court’s budget, personnel and general operations, and continues to hear cases.

“It is a great honor and privilege to lead the Court of Appeals and work with its dedicated judges and staff for the people of New Mexico,” Chief Judge Medina said.

Chief Read More

New Mexico State Police Crime Suppression Agents Apprehend Homicide Suspect And Arrest Two For Drug Trafficking During Route 66 Operation

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ALBUQUERQUE – On April 14, 2025, while supporting the ongoing Route 66 Operation, New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Crime Suppression Agents successfully apprehended a homicide suspect and arrested two individuals involved in narcotics trafficking.

During the evening hours, agents received information about the location of homicide suspect Ronald Edward Raymond, 67, who had an active arrest warrant out of Sierra County. He was found at a residence in Albuquerque. Throughout the operation, public announcements and police sirens were repeatedly used to encourage the suspect to surrender. Read More

NMDWS Kicks Off Business Webinar Series 

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NMDWS News:

  • First session focuses on immigration changes and business impact

ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) is launching a new monthly Employer Webinar Series to connect employers with expert insights, resources, and real-time answers on the issues that matter most to their business. 

The series will kick off with “Immigration Changes and Your Business: What You Need to Know” – a free virtual event at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 17, hosted by NMDWS’s Office of New Americans. Recordings of this and future webinars will be available on the NMDWS website and Read More

NMSP Arrests Man For Stabbing Death In Santa Fe

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NMSP News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau investigated a stabbing death April 12, 2025, at 3956 Agua Fria Road Space 35 in Santa Fe, resulting in an arrest of a Santa Fe Man. 

Investigations Bureau agents learned at approximately 4:30 p.m., NMSP officers were dispatched to the location following reports of a 46-year-old woman, identified as Minerva Marquez Dominguez who had been stabbed.

Upon arrival, officers received a clothing description of the possible suspect. Shortly thereafter, an officer located a male matching the description and who had what Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Broadens Legal Grounds For Civil Lawsuits On Outside Of State Businesses Or Individuals

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Supreme Court Thursday issued an opinion broadening when a business or individual from outside of New Mexico can be sued for damages in the state.

In its unanimous opinion involving damage claims against law firms for a tobacco company, New Mexico’s highest court for the first time adopted “conspiracy jurisdiction” for civil lawsuits.

That legal theory allows defendants, who are alleged to be part of an unlawful civil conspiracy, to be sued in state court on the basis of their co-conspirators’ actions directed at New Mexico. 

“We hold that conspiracy jurisdiction Read More

Judge Dismisses All Charges In Parent’s Suit Against LAPS

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By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

State District Court Judge Jason Lidyard has dismissed all 18 charges in the lawsuit brought by former Los Alamos High School parent Luckie Daniels against Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS).

Daniels filed an 84-page lawsuit against the district on Nov. 27, 2023, alleging her civil rights had been violated. She named the superintendent, assistant superintendent and members of the school board in her suit and sought $558,400 in damages (link).

“The dismissal of all counts in the case against Los Alamos School Board is a clear affirmation Read More

Supreme Court Honors Retired Justice Joseph F. Baca

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Justice Joseph F. Baca holds a commemorative volume of his opinions during a ceremony in the Supreme Court Building. Courtesy/Administrative Office of the Courts

Retired Justice Joseph F. Baca (seated in the center) in the Supreme Court Law Library with Justice Michael E. Vigil (front left) and Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales, a former law clerk of Justice Baca (front right), and Justice Julie J. Vargas, standing at left, Chief Justice David K. Thomson and Justice Briana H. Zamora. Courtesy photo

NMSC News:

SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court celebrated the career of retired Read More

Supreme Court Rules That Ranch’s Lawsuit Against Land Commissioner Should Be Dismissed

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — The state Supreme Court ruled today that a ranch’s lawsuit challenging the leasing process for wind energy projects on state trust land was filed in court in the wrong county and must be dismissed.

In a unanimous opinion, the Court clarified the application of a state venue statute – Section 38-3-1(D)(1) – that requires civil lawsuits implicating land interests to be brought in the county where the land is located. 

Blanchard Corona Ranch LLC sued Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard in Lincoln County after the Land Office issued leases in 2020 for development of wind Read More

Annibelle Preston Issues Letter Of Apology To Community

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By ANNIBELLE PRESTON
Los Alamos

My name is Annibelle ‘Lilly’ Preston, Case No. M-33-MR-2024-00018

In October 2024, I damaged and tore down a political sign within the County of Los Alamos. I humbly apologize to the court and the citizens of Los Alamos for my actions. I regret breaking the law, I understand it cost the owner money to replace the sign, I apologize for any inconvenience I caused.

I was acting impulsively due to stress, and I took it out on the sign. I would walk away if I were in a similar situation.

I have felt anxious and depressed over my actions, this incident has affected my personal Read More

Supreme Court Affirms Father’s Conviction In Death Of Child

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Supreme Court (NMSC) has upheld a Lincoln County man’s conviction of intentional child abuse resulting in the death of his 2-year-old son.

In a unanimous opinion, the Court concluded there was sufficient evidence to support Ricardo Soto’s conviction and that the trial court acted within its discretion in admitting statistical testimony by the state’s medical experts. 

The justices also held that any error was harmless by the trial court in a pretrial ruling that would have allowed prosecutors under certain circumstances to introduce evidence that Soto Read More