Fort Worth, TX asked in Criminal Law for New Mexico

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?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Stephen Aarons
Stephen Aarons
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Santa Fe, NM
  • Licensed in New Mexico

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.

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