Have a Legal Question?

Get Free Answers From Experienced Lawyers!

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
New Mexico Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for New Mexico on
Q: What to expect in a NM jury trial for battery against a household member with unclear video evidence?

I am involved in a jury trial concerning a charge of battery against a household member. The incident involves partners arguing and the alleged victim admitting to shoving me first. An officer submitted a video, but it’s blurry and unclear. A second officer arrived at the scene and may testify... View More

Maxwell Pines
Maxwell Pines
answered on Oct 19, 2025

In a Metro Court jury trial for battery against a household member under NMSA § 30-3-15, you face a misdemeanor charge requiring the State to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you unlawfully and intentionally touched or applied force to the alleged victim in a rude, insolent, or angry manner.... View More

View More Answers

Q: Can my brother seek post-conviction relief under NM Statute 30-31-27.1?

My brother overdosed and was supposedly immune from prosecution under NM Statute 30-31-27.1. However, he was charged and jailed, and his public defender advised that the statute only applied in federal court, leading to accepting 18 months probation for a marijuana charge. While on probation, he... View More

Lauren Joseph Wolongevicz
Lauren Joseph Wolongevicz
answered on Oct 13, 2025

Under New Mexico Statute § 30-31-27.1, certain individuals are granted limited immunity from prosecution for possession or use of controlled substances if the evidence was obtained as a result of seeking medical help during an overdose situation. The intent of the statute is to encourage people to... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice, Probate and Appeals / Appellate Law for New Mexico on
Q: Steps to address attorney's mishandling of probate case and secure new representation in New Mexico.

In a probate case in the Second Judicial District Courts, New Mexico, on August 5, 2025, my attorney failed to ensure my evidence was correctly filed for our Zoom hearing. The judge received only one page of a crucial 50-page document and did not receive the mailed copy, yet my attorney did not... View More

Lauren Joseph Wolongevicz
Lauren Joseph Wolongevicz
answered on Oct 13, 2025

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this — it sounds very frustrating, especially in a probate matter where timing and documentation are critical.

If your attorney failed to file evidence or motions properly, you can take a few key steps:

1. Protect your record and appellate rights....
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for New Mexico on
Q: Can I sue for medical malpractice after discovering a feeding tube was embedded in my stomach in June 2018?

On April 2, 2013, I was in a car accident in Gallup, NM and was flown to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, NM. In June 2018, I discovered via X-rays at Fort Defiance, Arizona, that a feeding tube (G-Tube) was embedded in my stomach, likely from my previous hospitalization.... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 18, 2025

I'm sorry you're going through this. That timeline going back to 2018 is problematic, unless attorneys are able to find any legal doctrines they could exploit to toll (stop the clock from ticking) on the statute of limitations. You could try to see if attorneys other than the ones you... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for New Mexico on
Q: Chance of quashing a warrant for failure to comply with probation?

I was sentenced to 18 months of probation in November 2021 and never met my probation officer in person. A warrant was issued in March 2023 for failure to comply with probation. My probation officer never attempted to notify me of the warrant. I was unable to meet due to having COVID-19 and was... View More

Maxwell Pines
Maxwell Pines
answered on Aug 28, 2025

It sounds like the warrant has been outstanding for some time. That is a factor against a judge canceling the warrant. However, it does sound like there are significant mitigating factors that might be meaningful to a judge. Ultimately, having a lawyer file a motion to cancel is a MUCH better... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights and Criminal Law for New Mexico on
Q: How to sue police for failing to protect and serve after bar assault incident in NM?

I want to explore legal options for suing the police department for failing to protect and serve in a situation where my fiance was assaulted at a bar. She was attacked unprovoked by another woman, and during the incident, she defended herself. Despite several witnesses, the police charged her with... View More

Maxwell Pines
Maxwell Pines
answered on Jul 20, 2025

To pursue a lawsuit against the government here, you should consult with an attorney about the details as soon as possible. This is because there are some deadlines in New Mexico to file a notice of intent to sue: 90 days Tort Claims Act, 1 year Civil Rights Act. This is aside from the statute of... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Insurance Defense for New Mexico on
Q: Injured in NM Uber accident; should damages be sought from both Uber and ZTrip?

I was injured in New Mexico while riding in an Uber when a taxi from the Albuquerque ZTrip company ran a red light, leading to a collision. I sustained six herniated disks and required five months of physical therapy, as well as eight spinal injections. The police were called, and a report was... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 1, 2025

A New Mexico attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. You ask some very good questions. It could be difficult to offer a quick, direct answer to them though. Your attorney is probably evaluating the case not only from a standpoint of liability, but from one of... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Domestic Violence, Landlord - Tenant and Personal Injury for New Mexico on
Q: Assaulted by worker; unsafe & want to file lawsuit on budget in NM.

I am a senior citizen and was recently assaulted by a maintenance worker at my apartment complex. He pleaded guilty in court, received probation, and was ordered to stay away from me, only working on one side of the complex. Despite this, he continues to work here because his girlfriend is the... View More

Maxwell Pines
Maxwell Pines
answered on Feb 15, 2025

I am sorry that you are going through this. It is very disappointing that this apartment complex that you pay money for is unwilling to keep you and your neighbors safe.

This man would be liable for an intentional tort by assaulting you. It appears it was already proven because he admitted...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for New Mexico on
Q: Does the three year NM.Statute of Limitations on car accidents be subject to tolling when injuries become clear late

Statute of Limitations has passed but the discovery date

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 29, 2025

A New Mexico attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I do not believe those circumstances would serve to toll the statute of limitations. Tolling is usually based on reasons such as the claimant being an infant at the time, or being incapacitated in some manner.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for New Mexico on
Q: If someone hits my car and we both leave where wreck happened can they charge my insurance
Mark Caruso
PREMIUM
Mark Caruso
answered on Jan 19, 2025

NM law requires both parties to stay at the scene of the crash and exchange information--driver's license and insurance. Sounds like you might have exchanged information. Also sounds like no law enforcement showed up to investigate.

Any person can make a claim against your...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Car Accidents and Legal Malpractice for New Mexico on
Q: Can my attorney abandon my case 2 months before statute of limitations runs out?

I decapitated my car running into the back or a tractor trailer that the judge ruled made an illegal uturn In Abq. Nm. where I racked up over 50k in med bills, lost my car , lost over a 100k in lost wages all along while the pain and suffering has crippled my life .... My attorney lead me to... View More

Mark Caruso
PREMIUM
Mark Caruso
answered on Jan 15, 2025

The communications before the termination and immediately after the termination are really important in determining whether you have a legal malpractice claim in NM. An attorney has the duty to keep the client updated on matters related to the claim the lawyer is handling for the client. It would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for New Mexico on
Q: false imprisonment and battery but was wrongly charged for it how would I go about fighting it
Maxwell Pines
Maxwell Pines
answered on Dec 21, 2024

False imprisonment in New Mexico is a serious crime because it is a felony. A case involving false imprisonment and battery often comes down to an analysis of how credible and consistent the alleged victim has been. The defendant will want to figure out if there are any defense witnesses available,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for New Mexico on
Q: Can I email a district court judge and ask him to please set a court date and quash a warrant.

Warrant issued because the attorney or his office never contacted me letting me know nothing I have proof I notified his office on numerous occasions with not so much as a phone call back

Maxwell Pines
Maxwell Pines
answered on Dec 21, 2024

Hello. I am sorry that you were neglected by your attorney. You deserve more communication and better service from a lawyer. The answer to your question certainly depends on the severity and seriousness of the charge in question. I have seen, for example, cases where the defendant would try to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Elder Law and Probate for New Mexico on
Q: My father is being financially exploited and is experiencing undue influence from my I brother and son how can I stop it

My 83 yr old father has my 55 yr old brother who has lived in my fathers home for 14 yrs without having any job and my 40 yr old son has lived there consistently for aprox 21 yrs never paying for anything either. My father has been diagnosed with dementia but has a fluctuating cognitive impairment.... View More

Nina Whitehurst
PREMIUM
Nina Whitehurst pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 19, 2024

You can file your own report with adult protective services. But chances are that will not bring any relief. The only real solution is to hire an attorney to petition the court to appoint you as guardian and conservator for your father. If you have limited means you might try your local legal aid... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for New Mexico on
Q: Is it possible to remove an old driving ticket from your record?

It’s for a company that says I’m not able to drive with three. It’s really impacting me badly. I can pay I just need it to be removed.

Lee Green
Lee Green
answered on Oct 17, 2024

It is possible to get some types of tickets removed from your record. The legal process in New Mexico is called a petition for expungement. The statute is Section 29-3A-4 and 29-3A-5. Check out NMOneSource (nmonesource.com). It's a really great free resource with all of New Mexico's laws... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and International Law for New Mexico on
Q: 10yr charged w/unlawfully,now was charged with receiving and transferring a stolen motor. What's my aftermath

I'm a African American woman

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 18, 2024

I do not practice criminal law, but your post came up under "International Law." Don't mess around with this on public forums inquiring about aftermaths. Seek the guidance of a criminal defense attorney without delay. You posted in the beginning of the week and we're now at a... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Business Law, Construction Law and Contracts for New Mexico on
Q: Are the model numbers on electrical and building permits in New Mexico required to match the contract and loan papers?

My father had solar panels installed on his home in NM and when gathering the info for the tax credits I noticed differences in the information listed on the electrical and general building permits, installer contracts and loan financing documents regarding the solar panel model numbers, the actual... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 4, 2024

A New Mexico attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Until you're able to speak with a local attorney or an official from the buildings department, one issue that could possibly arise from the standpoint of insurance is whether there are inconsistencies in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for New Mexico on
Q: My daughter was arrested 31 days ago for a probation violation. How much longer will she be in jail?

What is the difference between a major violation and a technical violation. Is leaving the county a major or technical violation?

Nate Crowley
Nate Crowley pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 30, 2024

Technical violations are smaller things, like missing a meeting with the PO.

Leaving the county then coming back same day without permission is a technical violation in my opinion. Leaving the county then going to another country and not coming back for years would not be a technical...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for New Mexico on
Q: I had surgery and 2 days later I when to the emergency hospital waited for 4 to 5 hours to see a doctor. Why?

I was unable to urinate and the severe pain continued. It felt like the severe pain lasted for an eternity. The following day at 1:30am I urinated a large thick clot along with blood. I have some relief of pain. I when to the emergency hospital 2 day later because I was having some pain. The... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Aug 27, 2024

It might be malpractice. Medical malpractice means that a doctor violated the standard of care. A bad outcome is not enough. Another doctor would be needed to evaluate what the doctors did. Consult with experienced malpractice attorneys in the state where this occurred.

Due to the...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for New Mexico on
Q: pulled over for speeding, police impounded car to get search warrant after i refused search

officer claimed he smelt fentynal so he asked to search the car i said no, he claimed i said yes but i kept saying no. threatened me by stating he would call my husband probation officer if i refused to let him search car. car isnt mine. my husband and i just cashed our check that we needed to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 21, 2024

You have a few important steps to take right away. First, make sure to document everything that happened, including the officer’s threats, your refusal to consent to the search, and the fact that you didn't receive any paperwork. This documentation will be crucial for your defense and any... View More

Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free 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 Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, 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.