Preface

1. General Matters
1.1 New Mexico Judicial System
1.1.1 Courts of Limited Jurisdiction
1.1.2 Courts of General Jurisdiction
1.1.3 Appellate Courts
1.1.4 Appeals from Municipal to District Court
1.2 Municipal Court Jurisdiction
1.2.1 Ordinances
1.2.2 Campus Traffic Regulations
1.2.3 Searches and Search Warrants
1.2.4 Arrest and Bench Warrants
1.2.5 Subpoenas
1.2.6 Contempt
1.2.7 Marriage Ceremonies
1.3 Municipal Court Procedures
1.3.1 Court Rules
1.3.2 Court Conduct
1.3.3 Time Periods
1.3.4 Attorney Representation
1.3.5 Defendant’s Presence
1.3.6 Audio-Visual Proceedings
1.3.7 Recording of Proceedings
1.4 Municipal Judge Requirements
1.4.1 Qualifications
1.4.2 Term of Office
1.4.3 Oath of Office
1.4.4 Bond
1.4.5 Salary
1.4.6 Training
1.4.7 Frequency of Court Sessions
1.4.8 Vacancy in Office
1.4.9 Temporary or Alternate Judge
1.4.10 Removal from Office
1.5 Judicial Ethics
1.5.1 Code of Judicial Conduct
1.5.2 Oversight of the Court
1.5.3 Impartiality
1.6 Effective Dates of Ordinances and Court Rules

2. Procedures Before Trial
2.1 Petty Misdemeanor Procedural Requirements
2.1.1 Definition of Petty Misdemeanor
2.1.2 Jurisdiction
2.1.3 Venue
2.1.4 Time Limits
2.1.5 Determination of Competency
2.2 Initiation of a Case
2.2.1 Complaints and Citations
2.2.2 Criminal Summons
2.2.3 Arrest Without a Warrant
2.2.4 Preliminary Rights
2.2.5 Probable Cause Determination
2.2.6 Arrest Warrant
2.3 Arraignment
2.3.1 Definition
2.3.2 Explanation of Rights
2.3.3 Representation by Counsel
2.3.4 Entry of Plea
2.4 Dismissal
2.4.1 Definitions
2.4.2 Voluntary Dismissal by Prosecution
2.4.3 Dismissal for Failure to Prosecute
2.5 Other Preliminary Matters
2.5.1 Discovery
2.5.2 Pretrial Conference
2.5.3 Motions
2.5.4 Filing and Service by Fax
2.5.5 Filing and Service by Electronic Transmission
2.6 Excusal and Recusal
2.6.1 Excusal
2.6.2 Recusal
2.6.3 Procedure for Replacing a Judge Upon Recusal3. Release and Bail

3.1 Conditions of Release
3.1.1 General
3.1.2 Factors in Setting Conditions
3.1.3 Specific Conditions
3.1.4 Release Proceedings
3.1.5 Release Forms
3.1.6 Continuation and Review of Release
3.1.7 Failure to Comply with Conditions
3.1.8 Failure to Appear
3.2 Bonds
3.2.1 General
3.2.2 Appearance Bond: Unsecured
3.2.3 Appearance Bond: Partial Cash Deposit
3.2.4 Appearance Bond: Full Cash Deposit
3.2.5 Bail Bond: Execution
3.2.6 Bail Bond: Discharge of Surety
3.2.7 Exoneration
3.2.8 Forfeiture

4. Searches and Search Warrants
4.1 General
4.2 Search Warrants
4.2.1 Issuance
4.2.2 Execution and Return
4.3 Searches Without Warrants
4.3.1 General
4.3.2 Evidence in Plain View
4.3.3 Searches of Persons and Places
4.3.4 Searches of Motor Vehicles
4.4 Motion to Suppress
4.4.1 General
4.4.2 Who May File Motion
4.4.3 Grounds for Suppression

5. Arrest Warrants and Bench Warrants
5.1 Arrest Warrants
5.1.1 Issuance
5.1.2 Contents
5.2 Bench Warrants
5.2.1 Issuance
5.2.2 Execution and Return

6. Subpoenas
6.1 Issuance
6.2 Service
6.3 Motion to Quash
6.4 Failure to Comply

7. Trials
7.1 Start of Trial
7.1.1 Calling the Case
7.1.2 Readiness to Proceed
7.1.3 Witness Oath
7.1.4 Exclusion of Witnesses
7.1.5 Opening Statements
7.2 Presentation of Evidence
7.2.1 Order of Presentation
7.2.2 Witness Testimony
7.2.3 Defendant as Witness
7.2.4 Introduction of Documentary Evidence
7.2.5 Objections
7.2.6 Confessions
7.3 Closing Arguments
7.3.1 Definition
7.3.2 Order of Presentation
7.4 Verdict
7.5 Dispositive Motions
7.5.1 Motion for Directed Verdict
7.5.2 Motion for Dismissal
7.6 Preservation and Disposition of Exhibits
7.6.1 Preservation
7.6.2 Return to Court for Appeal
7.6.3 Final Disposition

8. Judgment, Sentence, and Appeal
8.1 Judgment and Sentence
8.2 Sentencing
8.2.1 Presentence Report
8.2.2 Sentencing Options
8.2.3 Conditions of Probation
8.2.4 Violation and Revocation of Probation
8.3 Court Costs
8.4 Appeal
8.4.1 Right to Appeal and Filing Requirements
8.4.2 Record on Appeal
8.4.3 Conditions of Release on Appeal
8.4.4 Disposition of Appeal

9. Contempt
9.1 General
9.2 Direct Contempt
9.3 Indirect Contempt
9.4 Notice
9.5 Hearing
9.6 Punishment and Appeal

10. Evidence in Municipal Court
10.1 Overview
10.2 Application of the Rules of Evidence
10.2.1 Courts
10.2.2 Proceedings
10.2.3 Types of Evidence
10.3 Construction of the Rules of Evidence
10.4 General Evidence Principles
10.4.1 Overall
10.4.2 Preliminary Questions
10.4.3 Original Writing Rules
10.4.4 Full Use of Writings
10.4.5 Judicial Notice
10.5 Relevancy
10.5.1 Admission in General
10.5.2 Exclusion in General
10.5.3 Authentication and Identification
10.6 Evidence on Specific Topics
10.6.1 Character Evidence
10.6.2 Habit Evidence
10.6.3 Remedial Measures
10.6.4 Guilty Pleas
10.6.5 Evidence Obtained Under Immunity
10.6.6 Victim’s Past Sexual Conduct
10.7 Witness Testimony
10.7.1 Basic Requirements
10.7.2 Questioning of Witnesses
10.7.3 Impeachment
10.7.4 Opinions and Expert Testimony
10.8 Hearsay
10.8.1 General Rule
10.8.2 Constitutional Limitations on Hearsay
10.8.3 Statements that are Not Hearsay
10.8.4 Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule (When Hearsay Can be Admitted)
10.9 Privileges
10.9.1 General Rule
10.9.2 Exceptions to the Rule
10.9.3 Voluntary Disclosure
10.9.4 Commentary on Claim of Privilege

11. Glossary of Legal Terms

12. Checklists and Scripts for Municipal Court
Arraignment
Proceedings Where Jail May Be Imposed: Checklist
Proceedings Where Jail May Be Imposed: Script
Proceedings Where Jail Will Not Be Imposed: Checklist
Proceedings Where Jail Will Not Be Imposed: Script
Pretrial Release, Bond and Bail
Checklist: Annotated
Checklist: No Annotations
Plea Agreement
With Counsel: Script
Without Counsel: Script
Criminal Trial
With Counsel: Script
Without Counsel: Script
Judgment and Sentencing at Arraignment or Trial
Checklist: Annotated
Checklist: No Annotations
Script: Annotated
Script: No Annotations
Sentencing at a Separate Hearing
Script: Annotated
Script: No Annotations