criminal Archives – Ferrance Law, P.C.

NMSC: Officer’s Training and Experience Can Be the Difference Between Reasonable Suspicion and a “Hunch”

January 8, 2020 dave 0 Comments

The New Mexico Supreme Court filed its first case of 2020 last week: State v. Martinez, a 5-0 opinion written by Justice Nakamura. The opinion sets out to clarify the

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New Mexico Supreme Court Reverses Grant of Habeas Petition in Resident Child Molestation Case

November 7, 2019 dave 0 Comments

In State v. Lente, filed last week, the New Mexico Supreme Court reversed a district court order granting habeas relief to a defendant convicted of criminal sexual penetration and contact

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NMSC: No Magic Words for Guilty Pleas

October 14, 2019 dave 0 Comments

No "magic words" are required to show that a guilty plea is knowingly and voluntarily made.

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NMSC Affirms Order of New Trial After District Court Has ex parte Contact with Jury

October 9, 2019 dave 0 Comments

In a direct appeal, the NMSC affirms the district court's decision to order a new trial after having impermissible ex parte contact with the jury.

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New Mexico Supreme Court Eliminates Spousal Privilege

September 3, 2019 dave 0 Comments

The New Mexico Supreme Court just became the first state to eliminate one of the more obscure legal doctrines out there: the spousal privilege. Writing for the majority, Justice Nakamura

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State v. Baca – Commitment for life can be appealed directly to New Mexico Supreme Court

July 18, 2019 dave 0 Comments

After Fidel Baca, Sr. was found dead with an enormous pickaxe sticking out of his chest, Defendant Manuel Baca was charged with his murder. The district court found that Manuel

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Fry v. Lopez – The End of the Death Penalty in New Mexico?

July 12, 2019 dave 0 Comments

In Fry v. Lopez, the New Mexico Supreme Court reverses the death sentences for the last two defendants on death row in New Mexico.

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