Courts

New Mexico Supreme Court Issues Orders In Case Over McKinley County District Attorney’s Removal From Office

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Courtesy/NMSC

State Supreme Court News:

The New Mexico State Supreme Court issued an order Friday accepting jurisdiction over a petition by the state attorney general for the removal of McKinley County District Attorney Bernadine Martin from office.

The Court previously had directed the parties in the case to submit a briefing on the question of whether the Legislature could grant the legal authority over district attorney removals to the Supreme Court.

Also Friday, the Court issued a separate order directing the parties to file a response to another legal question raised in the case.

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New Mexico Public Defender Commission Welcomes Two New Members—Attorneys Cook And Gallegos-Schobel

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LOPD News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Attorney Zach Cook of Ruidoso and community advocate Yvonne Gallegos-Schobel of Albuquerque took their seats Friday on the New Mexico Public Defender Commission, which provides guidance on the administration of the New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender and selects the state’s chief public defender.

The LOPD employs more than 400 New Mexicans in the service of providing legal representation to indigent people charged with a crime in the state’s courts. The independent state agency most recently received an $82.1 million budget to operate 13 offices across Read More

New Mexico State Police Conduct Narcotics Operations Netting Large Quantities Of Illegal Drugs In Albuquerque

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NMSP News:

ALBUQUERQUE — In continuation of targeted efforts to combat illegal drug activity in Bernalillo County, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Crime Suppression Bureau (CSB) executed two residential search warrants Oct. 10, 2025, in Albuquerque.

With the support of the New Mexico State Police Tactical Team, CSB Narcotics Agents conducted thorough investigations that led to the successful execution of search warrants at two residences.

The outcomes of these operations resulted in two arrests and the seizure of large quantities of illegal narcotics.

Residence 1:

  • Felipe S. Almaguer,
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New Mexico State Ethics Commission Announces Settlements With Deming City Officials For Governmental Conduct Act Violations

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NMSEC News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico State Ethics Commission has reached settlement agreements with Deming City Councilors Irma Rodriguez and Joe “Butter” Milo, with related compliance obligations involving Deming City Manager Aaron Sera, resolving alleged violations of the Governmental Conduct Act.

The Commission alleged that Councilor Rodriguez failed to disclose her ownership interest in Triadic Enterprises when the City of Deming contracted with the business, in violation of Section 10-16-7(B) of the Act. To resolve the matter, Councilor Rodriguez verbally agreed to pay Read More

VAP Free Legal Fair In Santa Fe Oct. 18

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First Judicial District Pro Bono Committee News:

SANTA FE — The First Judicial District Pro Bono Committee has announced the upcoming Santa Fe Legal Fair, a free legal fair, set to take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at a new location. The fair will take place at the Hotel Glorieta, 750 N St. Francis Drive in Santa Fe.

This community event offers individuals the opportunity to receive free legal consultations with licensed attorneys on a first-come, first-served basis. The fair will feature dedicated sessions for both family law and civil law consultations across a wide range of issues. Read More

Denish: What’s Wrong With This Picture?

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By DIANE DENISH
CORNER TO CORNER

The New Mexico Legislature just wrapped up a special session convened by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. The goal was to protect New Mexicans from looming federal budget cuts to healthcare and public broadcasting.

Most of the attention focused on shoring up healthcare funding—appropriating dollars to offset recent cuts and the removal of Medicaid subsidies. Lawmakers also passed a bill to help stabilize services in rural clinics and hospitals.

All of this is good, but something important is missing: medical compacts that would give New Mexicans more access Read More

State Water Courts Reorganized Into Regional Structure

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — A reorganization of water courts in New Mexico takes effect Wednesday under an order by the state Supreme Court to promote the timely and efficient resolution of legal disputes over water.

“This plan helps the judiciary address complex, technical water disputes that occur regularly because of conflicts between water users and appeals from administrative decisions,” Chief Justice David K. Thomson said. “Having regional water courts will be particularly important during periods of sustained severe drought when water disputes likely will become more frequent and can Read More

New Mexico Environment Dept. Enhances Transparency With New Streamlined Records Requests Portal

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NMED General Counsel Zachary Ogaz

NMED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is enhancing transparency by making public records more accessible by improving its records requests portal.

NMED launched its online public records portal in December 2024, allowing requestors to submit requests electronically.

The department has implemented two major improvements to the portal designed to streamline the records request process and improve the overall user experience:

  • NMED updated its public-facing page to help requestors more clearly define the records they are
Read More

Governor Signs Special Session Emergency Relief Package

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signing emergency legislation Friday to shield New Mexicans from federal cuts to food assistance and health care programs. Courtesy photo

From the Office of the Governor:

  • Four bills provide $162 million to counter federal cuts

SANTA FE — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed emergency legislation Friday to shield New Mexicans from federal cuts to food assistance and health care programs, deploying $162 million in state funds immediately to maintain services across the state.

“When federal support falls short, New Mexico steps up — that’s our commitment Read More

FBI: Pigeon Springs Man Receives 3 Year Probationary Sentence For Role In Fatal Drunk Driving Crash

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Pigeon Springs man was sentenced to 3 years of probation for his role in a fatal drunk driving crash that claimed the life of a passenger.

According to court documents, Sept. 22, 2024, Irvin Virgil Wauneka, Jr., 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol after consuming alcohol and falling asleep at the wheel.

Jane Doe was a passenger in the vehicle. Wauneka’s impaired driving resulted in a head-on collision with another vehicle. Jane Doe suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Read More