Q: What information is required on a New Mexico criminal complaint?
I have been charged with failure to report a change in living arrangements under SORNA in Luna County, NM. The criminal complaint has no information regarding the event that triggered the charge. It only states the requirement to report. I have no clue what change I allegedly did not report and no idea of what evidence or witnesses to provide at preliminary to refute the charge. I asked my PD to explain and he told me "it is what it is." He had not read the criminal complaint &stated he would not. Feels like the short end of the stick to me. Don't I have a right to know what I am being charged with, not just the statue but the alleged facts?
A: The complaint is often barebones but there will be an affidavit in support of arrest warrant and police reports and your attorney can request all discovery and interview the prosecution witnesses. Absolutely you have the right to get all of the documents and read them.
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.