New Mexico

Allegations that murder defendant was ‘a drug ho’ who practiced witchcraft leads to tossed conviction

The New Mexico Supreme Court has overturned a woman’s 2022 murder conviction and barred a retrial because of “severe and pervasive prosecutorial misconduct, exacerbated by a lackluster defense.”

Feb 25, 2025 9:15 AM CST

Are gendered Oscars constitutional? University of New Mexico students are asking the question

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is considering a petition from undergraduate students in a University of New Mexico constitutional law course that questions the 96-year-old policy of separating actor awards by gender, stating it is legally flawed.

Feb 18, 2025 2:16 PM CST

Feds seek forfeiture of law office over lawyer’s alleged role in ‘DWI Enterprise’

Updated: The federal government is seeking forfeiture of an Albuquerque, New Mexico, law office allegedly used by a lawyer to launder money in a “DWI Enterprise.”

Feb 11, 2025 11:42 AM CST

10 temporary federal judgeships would become permanent under Senate bill approved on voice vote

The U.S. Senate on Saturday approved by voice vote a bipartisan bill that would make permanent 10 temporary federal district court judgeships.

Apr 23, 2024 9:36 AM CDT

‘Rust’ armorer found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in shooting

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the “Rust” armorer accused of failing to ensure gun safety on the set of the low-budget Western movie in 2021, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and not guilty of evidence tampering in Santa Fe, N.M., on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. It was the first trial verdict related to the fatal shooting.

Mar 7, 2024 9:45 AM CST

Wells Fargo’s ‘willful blindness’ enabled former lawyer’s fraud, victims’ suit alleges

Updated: A former San Antonio lawyer was able to steal millions of dollars from his clients because of Wells Fargo’s “avarice and greed” and “intentional disregard of banking regulations,” according to a lawsuit filed Monday.

Mar 7, 2024 8:54 AM CST

Prosecutors blame disclosure of attorney-client texts on ‘cavalier legal representation’ by ‘Rust’ armorer’s lawyer

Updated: A lawyer representing an armorer accused in the movie set shooting death of a cinematographer has failed to win dismissal of charges against his client, despite the disclosure of texts protected by attorney-client privilege.

Feb 14, 2024 2:55 PM CST

Qualified immunity shield may depend on size and publication rate of federal appeals court, new report says

Qualified immunity “protects officials too much and our rights too little,” according to a new report by the Institute for Justice based on an analysis of more than 5,500 federal appeals decisions over an 11-year period.

Feb 7, 2024 8:47 AM CST

Lawyer censured after calling governor ‘tyrant’ and lawmakers ‘spineless tools’ in COVID-19 litigation

A New Mexico lawyer has received a public censure partly for “inflammatory and misleading statements” in litigation opposing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, including a claimed right to disqualify judges who had received COVID-19 vaccines.

Feb 6, 2024 3:55 PM CST

Who made the National Judicial College’s list of ‘60 Courageous Judges’?

The National Judicial College marked its 60th anniversary this week by releasing a list of 60 judges from around the United States and the world who have demonstrated courage, upheld the rule of law and provided justice for all.

Dec 21, 2023 9:00 AM CST

Prosecutors face obstacles in prosecution of Alec Baldwin and armorer for cinematographer’s death

New Mexico’s involuntary manslaughter caselaw could raise obstacles for prosecutors who plan to charge actor Alec Baldwin and his armorer for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Jan 23, 2023 9:34 AM CST

Federal magistrate judge isn’t reappointed amid probe into alleged abusive environment

A federal magistrate judge in New Mexico won’t be serving another term amid a probe into allegations that she created an abusive and hostile work environment. Federal judges voted against the reappointment of U.S. Magistrate Judge Carmen E. Garza before completion of the probe, according to a Sept. 14 order.

Sep 16, 2022 9:20 AM CDT

New Mexico allows immigrants here illegally to obtain law licenses

Immigrants who are in the country illegally won’t be barred from law practice in New Mexico, according to a rule change approved by the New Mexico Supreme Court.

Aug 24, 2022 11:48 AM CDT

‘Bad People Like Him’: An interview with master negotiator and former governor Bill Richardson

On Dec. 13, 1996, President Bill Clinton, in a White House ceremony, announced the nomination of Bill Richardson as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Just a few days earlier, the congressman from New Mexico had been using his diplomacy skills in a much less stately setting.

Aug 15, 2022 8:36 AM CDT

Judicial misconduct can be a bar to retrial under double jeopardy ban, top state court rules

New Mexico’s constitutional ban on double jeopardy may bar retrial of a defendant because of a judge’s conduct at trial, the state’s top court ruled earlier this month.

Feb 22, 2022 8:41 AM CST