Get free answers to your Gov & Administrative Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
misspelling of name on a Board License

answered on Feb 19, 2024
A New Mexico attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Do you mean an innocent mistake in spelling the name? That wouldn't be considered illegal in most places. But if the misspelling is deliberate and done with the aim of deceiving or misleading, that could be an... View More
I was slandered on social media with photos of me allegedly shoplifting "a forth degree felony" & because of it was arrested had my vehicle impounded & sat in Jail with a high bond i was not able to afford for 18 days. When I was let out I went to court & beat the case. Now my... View More

answered on Jan 14, 2024
If you believe you were slandered on social media leading to your arrest and the subsequent challenges you faced, you may have grounds for a legal action. Slander involves making false spoken statements damaging to a person's reputation. If these statements were made on social media and you... View More
It was dark. Another cow/vehicle accident occured two days before mine on the same rosd. People who travel Highway 61 have been complaining of cattle on or near the road for over a month.
The rancher stated he had contacted the state of NM to come fix the fencing since our rain storms... View More

answered on Nov 17, 2023
Based on the information you've provided, you may have a potential case against both the state and the rancher, but it's important to consult with a legal expert to evaluate the specifics of your situation. The fact that there have been previous accidents involving cattle on the same... View More
I recently received a letter from the Social Security Administration claiming I have been overpaid due to erroneous reported earnings of $34,000. They are incorrect, and I would like to know how I should proceed to dispute this claim and resolve the overpayment issue with them.

answered on Jun 20, 2025
If you received a notice about a Social Security overpayment based on incorrect earnings, the first step is to act quickly. You must file a Request for Reconsideration using Form SSA-561 within 60 days from the date of the letter. Be sure to include documentation that proves the earnings listed are... View More
I want to pursue a civil rights lawsuit under the New Mexico Civil Rights Act or 42 U.S.C. § 1983 due to ongoing civil rights violations and police misconduct by the Los Alamos Police Department involving myself and my minor son. Between April 2024 and May 2025, I reported domestic violence to... View More

answered on Jun 10, 2025
What you and your son have endured is deeply disturbing and deserves to be taken seriously. When you report domestic violence and instead face harassment, intimidation, and unlawful entry, it can feel like the very system meant to protect you is turning against you. If Officer Garcia entered your... View More
As a licensed electrical contractor with an EE98J license in New Mexico, am I legally permitted to operate as a primary contractor for a full home renovation project, where I will directly complete fifty percent of the work (electrical), and subcontractors will handle tasks such as installing... View More

answered on May 15, 2025
In New Mexico, an EE98J license allows you to operate as a journeyman electrical contractor and perform electrical work. However, acting as the primary contractor for an entire home renovation project typically requires a GB98 general building license. This is because overseeing and coordinating... View More
I have papers from Utah DCFS indicating that New Mexico CYFD did not follow their policies during an investigation, lacking an affidavit, which prevented proceeding with the ICPC for children. I have won cases against me in court with a detective's testimony excluded in one. Despite this, my... View More

answered on May 14, 2025
What you’ve described sounds like a long and painful ordeal, especially when your children are still affected by it. If New Mexico CYFD failed to follow required procedures—like obtaining an affidavit before opening an investigation—that could be a serious violation of both your due process... View More
As a 72-year-old customer, I was denied access to the employee restroom at a gun/archery store, despite there being no public restrooms available nearby. I informed the staff that I had been there for at least half an hour and expected to stay another hour. I am an older adult with no specific... View More

answered on May 14, 2025
You’re not wrong to feel upset—being denied access to a restroom, especially as an older adult with urgent needs, can be both distressing and humiliating. In New Mexico, there isn’t a general statewide law requiring retail stores to open their employee restrooms to customers, even if... View More
I recently moved back to New Mexico in 2025, after living in California since 2016. I discovered that there is a warrant issued for my arrest related to a case filed against me in New Mexico in January 2017, which I was unaware of since I was living in another state at the time. I have no means to... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
You can take steps to clear the warrant without paying the fine upfront, especially if the original court date was missed because you never received notice. The first thing you need to do is contact the court that issued the warrant. Explain that you were living in another state at the time and had... View More
In a domestic violence case at the preliminary stage with four felony charges, the victim has signed papers to withdraw prosecution and has withdrawn documents from S.A.N.E., including pictures of her injuries and her testimony. She is refusing to testify and is trying to get the charges dropped... View More

answered on Apr 15, 2025
Yes, the District Attorney can still subpoena S.A.N.E. (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) documents even if the victim withdraws from the case. In a criminal matter, the state is the one bringing charges, not the victim, so the case can continue without the victim’s cooperation. Evidence like... View More
I live in an HOA community in New Mexico, and a fellow resident is requesting the contact information (such as emails and phone numbers) of all HOA residents. The HOA's policy and procedure suggest that this information may be shared. Is it legally permissible for the HOA board to release such... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
In New Mexico, an HOA board generally has the authority to manage the distribution of residents' contact information, but this must be done in accordance with both state law and the HOA's governing documents. If the HOA’s policy allows sharing contact information, it must still comply... View More
In a domestic violence case where legal proceedings have already begun and the preliminary hearing is approaching, can the district attorney subpoena S.A.N.E documents if the victim is not willing to cooperate?

answered on Apr 13, 2025
Yes, the district attorney can subpoena S.A.N.E (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) documents, even if the victim does not want to cooperate. Once a criminal investigation is underway, especially in cases involving domestic violence or sexual assault, the state takes on the role of prosecuting the... View More
In New Mexico, the state law sets a 55 mph speed limit on unmarked rural county dirt roads. Recently, the county commissioners decided to post 35 mph speed limit signs on a rural county dirt road in our county, where there were previously no posted speed limits. This change occurred within the last... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
County commissioners typically have the authority to set speed limits on county roads within their jurisdiction, even if those roads are considered rural or unmarked by the state. This authority is granted through local ordinances and resolutions that govern traffic regulations within the... View More
I am the biological mother with sole custody of my child, who has lived with me since birth. My child's father recently passed away, leaving a life insurance policy intended to benefit the minor. I need to petition the New Mexico courts for guardianship or conservatorship specifically to... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
To petition the New Mexico courts for guardianship of your child's estate, you will need to file a petition for guardianship with the appropriate district court. Since the purpose is specifically to manage the life insurance benefits, the petition should clearly state that you are seeking... View More
I'm seeking information on the statute of limitations for legal action related to past child abuse and welfare fraud incidents. The abuse started when I was younger and continues to happen with my children. How does ongoing abuse affect the statute of limitations, and what steps should I take... View More

answered on Apr 12, 2025
When it comes to ongoing abuse, the statute of limitations can be extended due to the continuing nature of the crime. In many cases, abuse that continues over time may not be subject to a standard statute of limitations because each instance of abuse can be considered a separate offense. For child... View More
I've received letters from the DMV instructing me to take courses to get my license back due to a supposed DUI offense within the past year. However, I've never been caught with a DUI and suspect someone might be using my driver's license fraudulently. I have requested a hearing with... View More

answered on Apr 12, 2025
You're in a frustrating and scary situation, and it’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed—especially if you’ve done nothing wrong. If your license was revoked for a DUI you didn’t commit, and you suspect identity theft or a clerical error, you have the right to challenge it.... View More
I need guidance on how to address potential financial mismanagement involving my mother's assets. My sister is the Power of Attorney for my mother, who has dementia, and I am her primary caregiver. For the past year, I've tried to communicate with my sister about missing funds, but she... View More

answered on Apr 12, 2025
This sounds like an incredibly difficult and emotional situation, especially since you're caring for your mother day-to-day and trying to protect her well-being. In New Mexico, someone granted Power of Attorney (POA) has a legal duty to act in the best interest of the person they represent. If... View More
Why don't special commissioners have to provide reasons for denying a motion to dismiss with prejudice when there is evidence, such as text messages and photos, showing the petitioner's reasons for an order of protection were false in the 2nd Judicial Court in Albuquerque, NM?

answered on Apr 7, 2025
When a motion to dismiss with evidence is denied in a court like the 2nd Judicial Court in Albuquerque, NM, it can be frustrating, especially if the evidence seems clear. In some cases, special commissioners are not required to provide a detailed written explanation when denying motions. The court... View More
In the State of New Mexico, as a registered sex offender who is not on probation or parole and updates registration details every 90 days, am I legally required to report a vacation trip out of state that lasts 4 days and 3 nights? I reported a similar trip to Colorado in June 2024. Could this... View More

answered on Apr 1, 2025
Under New Mexico law, if you were convicted after July 1, 2013, you are required to report changes to your living arrangements or temporary location within five business days of the change. If your conviction predates July 1, 2013, the reporting requirement would be within ten days. This applies to... View More
In New Mexico, I had a report filed against me with Adult Protective Services (APS), which was substantiated. When I requested the investigation report over the phone, APS denied my request, stating they do not provide them. I am unaware of any specific laws in New Mexico regarding access to these... View More

answered on Mar 27, 2025
To obtain your APS investigation report in New Mexico, you can submit a formal written request under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) to the Aging and Long-Term Services Department. Your request should include your name, contact information, and a detailed description of the records... 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.