Courts

FBI: Mescalero Man Charged With Assault In Indian Country

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Joshua Davis made an initial appearance in federal court March 6 facing a charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country.

Davis, 40, of Mescalero, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the criminal complaint, in May of 2022, Davis allegedly assaulted a victim, identified Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Issues Order In Challenge To Abortion Ordinances

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NMSC News:

The New Mexico Supreme Court (NMSC) Friday issued an order in State of New Mexico v. Board of County Commissioners for Lea County, a case regarding local ordinances regulating abortion.

The Court granted a request by the state to stay the county and city ordinances at issue in the case, and directed the parties to submit briefs addressing legal issues.

New Mexico Supreme Court Justices include:

  • Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon
  • Justice Michael E. Vigil
  • Justice David K. Thomson
  • Justice Julie J. Vargas
  • Justice Briana H. Zamora

 

To learn more about the court, visit https://supremecourt.nmcourts.gov/ Read More

New Mexico Court Of Appeals Vacates Convictions Of Former Taxation And Revenue Secretary Demesia Padilla

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Former TRD Cabinet Secretary Demesia Padilla

NMSC News:

The State Court of Appeals Friday issued an opinion in State v. Demesia Padilla, A-1-CA-40038.

On a 2-1 split decision, the court vacated two felony convictions against the former New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department Cabinet Secretary  stating the yearslong prosecution extended beyond the statute of limitations.

Click here to view the court’s opinion.

  Read More

Los Alamos Police Department Welcomes Two New Officers

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Newly sworn Los Alamos Police Ofc. Arnoldo Loya with his wife Saraida Sanchez and their children Sean Loya, Juell Loya and AJ Loya following the swearing in ceremony for Ofc. Loya and Cpl. Gilbert Padilla by Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Catherine Taylor this afternoon at the Los Alamos Justice Center. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Newly sworn Los Alamos Police Cpl. Gilbert Padilla with his wife Kristy and their children Jason, 17, and Danika, 16. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com  

Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Catherine Taylor administers the Oath of Office to new Los Alamos Police Read More

New Mexico Courts Lift Mask, Physical Distancing March 31

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NM SUPREME COURT News:

SANTA FE – Masks and physical distancing will no longer be required after March 31 for any person inside a New Mexico courtroom or jury assembly area, the state Supreme Court announced today.

Additionally, jurors will no longer need to answer health screening questions to enter a courthouse. Courts will continue to make masks available to any juror who chooses to wear one, but they are not required.

The Judiciary is lifting its remaining health related COVID-19 protocols in recognition of changes in the pandemic and the March 31 expiration of New Mexico’s declaration of Read More

Council Honors Former Magistrate Judge Pat Casados

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Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull presents former Magistrate Judge Pat Casados, center, with a certificate honoring her for her work as Magistrate Judge as husband Jeff Casados stands by her side at Tuesday night’s meeting. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Council honored former Magistrate Judge Pat Casados with a special Certificate of Recognition for her excellent and longtime work on the bench, at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Vice Council Chair Theresa Cull read the Certificate of Recognition:

WHEREAS, the Honorable Pat A. Casados was elected by the citizens of Los Alamos Read More

Bill Hailed As Compromise In Emotional Debate Over Rising Medical Malpractice Costs Passed House 63-0

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Bill co-sponsor Rep. Ryan Lane, R-Atezc

By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A bill brokered this week by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state Senate leaders from both parties — hailed as a compromise in an emotional debate over rising medical malpractice costs — passed the House of Representatives in a 63-0 vote Thursday. 

Senate Bill 523, drafted in a deal with trial lawyers and health care professionals, will cap medical malpractice payouts for independent outpatient clinics at $1 million, which they say will allow them to obtain malpractice insurance and keep their doors open.

Under Read More

The Notorious RBG Makes An Appearance At Fuller Lodge

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Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg aka Dr. Dianne Layden gives a talk about her life and work this afternoon at Fuller Lodge. She covered everything from Bader Ginsburg reading Nancy Drew books as a child to her love of the Santa Fe Opera and being appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton. Los Alamos County Library System hosted the Chautauqua performance, which was held in person and virtually. The program was made possible by New Mexico Humanities Council and the Friends of the Los Alamos County Libraries. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

A large audience turns Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Assault And Firearms Violations

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Byron Rosetta was sentenced to 10 years and one day in prison.

Rosetta, 38, of Albuquerque, and an enrolled member of the Kewa Pueblo, pleaded guilty June 22, 2022, to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence.

According to the plea agreement and other court records, Jan. 3, 2020, law enforcement began receiving reports Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Clarifies Standard For Disciplinary Actions Against Attorneys

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The New Mexico Supreme Court. Courtesy/NMSC

New Mexico Supreme Court News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Supreme Court has issued an opinion clarifying the legal standard for determining whether an attorney violated ethical rules by making statements about a judge’s integrity with a “reckless disregard” as to their truth.

“Our judicial system depends on the public’s confidence in its fairness and authority. It cannot function if the public is misled to believe that judicial officers lack the necessary integrity or qualifications to perform their duties,” the Court wrote in a per curiam opinion. Read More