Albuquerque, NM asked in Criminal Law for New Mexico

Q: How long do you have to serve do the code 31-21-15

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer

A: NMSA 31-21-15 deals with probation violations. If the judge finds by clear and convincing evidence that the probationer did violate the terms of his probation, the judge may decide not to impose additional time and release the defendant on time served. If the violation is serious, the judge may impose the entire sentence from the original conviction less whatever time has already been spent in jail, prison or probation. So if the original sentence was five years in prison with four years suspended and the defendant serves one year in jail and another year on probation, the judge may sentence up to 3 years, the time remaining under the original sentence. The judge usually has a wide latitude of discretion, in this example from zero to three years. It is impossible to say what the judge will do between the two extremes. Your lawyer will better explain based on all of the facts but no one knows until the judge announces the new sentence in court.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.