law enforcement exception (New Mexico) · Go Syfert
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law enforcement exception in New Mexico

8 New Mexico opinions name it 1 courts 2008–2025 2 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by New Mexico courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (7)

CaseFollowedCited
City of Farmington v. Daily Timesgreen
nmctapp · 2009 · cited in 2 New Mexico opinions naming this issue, 2019–2019
2 sentences

2019See City of 9 Farmington v. The Daily Times, 2009-NMCA-057, ¶ 13-14 , 146 N.M. 349 , 210 10 P.3d 246 (stating that the burden is on “the custodian of the records to demonstrate 11 a reason for non-disclosure”), overruled on other grounds by Republican Party of 12 N.M., 2012 -NMSC-026, ¶ 16; see also Estate of Romero ex rel.

2019See City of 9 Farmington v. The Daily Times, 2009-NMCA-057, ¶ 13-14 , 146 N.M. 349 , 210 10 P.3d 246 (stating that the burden is on “the custodian of the records to demonstrate 11 a reason for non-disclosure”), overruled on other grounds by Republican Party of 12 N.M., 2012 -NMSC-026, ¶ 16; see also Estate of Romero ex rel.

22
Britton v. Office of the Att'y Gen.green
nmctapp · 2018 · cited in 2 New Mexico opinions naming this issue, 2019–2019
2 sentences

2019See Britton, 2019-NMCA-002, ¶ 32 (acknowledging 4 that IPRA’s grant of additional time to comply with excessively burdensome or 5 broad requests indicates that the Legislature intended to prioritize adequate and full 6 responses to requests over time considerations under certain circumstances). 7 However, once the information was gathered and transcribed, there was no 8 impediment to redacting and releasing all nonexempt information in a timely 9 manner, aside from the district attorney’s request that the information be withheld 10 based on the law enforcement exception.

2019“The expectation established by IPRA is that records custodians will diligently undertake their responsibility to process and fully respond to requests, including determining what public records are responsive to the request and what records or portions thereof may be exempt from disclosure, communicating the status of a request to the requester, and ultimately providing for inspection of all nonexempt records.” Britton, 2019-NMCA-002, ¶ 31 .

12
Thompson v. City of Albuquerquegreen
nm · 2017 · cited in 1 New Mexico opinions naming this issue, 2022–2022
1 sentence

2022See 2017-NMSC-021, ¶¶ 11, 17 (evaluating a loss of consortium claim brought under the law enforcement waiver, § 41-4-12, and concluding that such a claim was expressly permitted by the statutory language of that provision).

11
Olson v. Briscoegreen
oklacivapp · 2000 · cited in 1 New Mexico opinions naming this issue, 2019–2019
1 sentence

2019See City of 9 Farmington v. The Daily Times, 2009-NMCA-057, ¶ 13-14 , 146 N.M. 349 , 210 10 P.3d 246 (stating that the burden is on “the custodian of the records to demonstrate 11 a reason for non-disclosure”), overruled on other grounds by Republican Party of 12 N.M., 2012 -NMSC-026, ¶ 16; see also Estate of Romero ex rel.

11
Republican Party v. New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Departmentgreen
nm · 2012 · cited in 1 New Mexico opinions naming this issue, 2019–2019
1 sentence

2019See City of Farmington v. The Daily Times, 2009-NMCA-057, ¶ 13-14 , 146 N.M. 349 , 210 P.3d 246 (stating that the burden is on “the custodian of the records to demonstrate a reason for non-disclosure”), overruled on other grounds by Republican Party of N.M., 2012-NMSC-026, ¶ 16 ; see also Estate of Romero ex rel.

11
Baptiste v. City of Las Crucesgreen
nmctapp · 1993 · cited in 1 New Mexico opinions naming this issue, 2008–2008
2 sentences

2008The district court found no issues of material fact and granted summary judgment for Defendants. {8} Summary judgment is warranted where “there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and ... the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” Rule 1-056(C) NMRA, Baptiste v. City of Las Cruces, 115 N.M. 178, 179 , 848 P.2d 1105, 1106 (Ct.App.1993).

2008The district court found no issues of material fact and granted summary judgment for Defendants. {8} Summary judgment is warranted where “there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and ... the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” Rule 1-056(C) NMRA, Baptiste v. City of Las Cruces, 115 N.M. 178, 179 , 848 P.2d 1105, 1106 (Ct.App.1993).

11
Dunn v. STATE EX REL. TAX. & REV. DEPT.green
nmctapp · 1993 · cited in 1 New Mexico opinions naming this issue, 2008–2008
2 sentences

2008Taxation and Revenue Dep’t, 116 N.M. 1, 4 , 859 P.2d 469, 472 (Ct.App.1993), because the director’s duties were of an administrative nature. {13} Although maintaining public order is not clearly defined in the statute, case law has interpreted the phrase to mean essentially the same thing as handling breaches of the peace.

2008Taxation and Revenue Dep’t, 116 N.M. 1, 4 , 859 P.2d 469, 472 (Ct.App.1993), because the director’s duties were of an administrative nature. {13} Although maintaining public order is not clearly defined in the statute, case law has interpreted the phrase to mean essentially the same thing as handling breaches of the peace.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in New Mexico. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (10)

CaseCitedYears
Estate of Romero Ex Rel. Romero v. City of Santa Fe green
nm · 2006
2 sentences

2025Romero v. City of Santa Fe, 2006-NMSC-028, ¶ 14 , 139 N.M. 671 , 137 P.3d 611 (concluding that the Court is unable to recognize a law enforcement privilege).

2025Romero v. City of Santa Fe, 2006-NMSC-028, ¶ 14 , 139 N.M. 671 , 137 P.3d 611 (concluding that the Court is unable to recognize a law enforcement privilege).

22019–2025
Loya v. Gutierrez green
nmctapp · 2013
2 sentences

2014Loya, 2014-NMCA-028, ¶ 11 .

2014Loya, 2014-NMCA-028, ¶ 11 .

22014–2014
Limacher v. Spivey green
nmctapp · 2008
1 sentence

2011Limacher, 2008-NMCA-163, ¶ 9 .

12011–2011
Abalos v. Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office green
nmctapp · 1987
1 sentence

2008In Abalos v. Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, 105 N.M. 554 , 734 P.2d 794 (Ct.App.1987), a woman brought suit against the director of the Bernalillo County Detention Center (BCDC), alleging his responsibility for her rape by an individual that he negligently released from the BCDC.

12008–2008
Vigil Ex Rel. Estate of Vigil v. Martinez green
nmctapp · 1992
2 sentences

2008In Vigil v. Martinez, 113 N.M. 714 , 832 P.2d 405 (Ct.App.1992), this Court held that parole and probation officers’ primary duties were rehabilitation, that they dealt with persons already convicted, and that nothing in their job description referred to restricting the freedom of clients, id. at 720 , 832 P.2d at 411 , as opposed to a law enforcement officer whose duties included holding in custody persons accused. {18} Two other cases found a district attorney (DA) and the chief investigator employed by the DA not to fit the law enforcement exception.

2008In Vigil v. Martinez, 113 N.M. 714 , 832 P.2d 405 (Ct.App.1992), this Court held that parole and probation officers’ primary duties were rehabilitation, that they dealt with persons already convicted, and that nothing in their job description referred to restricting the freedom of clients, id. at 720 , 832 P.2d at 411 , as opposed to a law enforcement officer whose duties included holding in custody persons accused. {18} Two other cases found a district attorney (DA) and the chief investigator employed by the DA not to fit the law enforcement exception.

12008–2008
Methola v. County of Eddy green
nm · 1980
1 sentence

2008Id.

12008–2008
Abalos v. Bernalillo County DA's Office green
nmctapp · 1987
1 sentence

2008In Abalos v. Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, 105 N.M. 554 , 734 P.2d 794 (Ct.App.1987), a woman brought suit against the director of the Bernalillo County Detention Center (BCDC), alleging his responsibility for her rape by an individual that he negligently released from the BCDC.

12008–2008
Fernandez v. Mora-San Miguel Electric Co-Operative green
ca4 · 2006
1 sentence

2008Further, in Dunn v. McFeeley, we declined to extend the law enforcement waiver under the NMTCA to police crime laboratory personnel, police crime scene investigators, or medical investigators because they did not fit the mold of “traditional law enforcement officers and those whose duties are clearly encompassed by statutory definítion.” Id., 1999-NMCA-084, ¶25 , 127 N.M. 513 , 984 P.2d 760 . {19} None of these cases answers the question presented by the unique facts in this case.

12008–2008
Dunn v. McFeeley green
nmctapp · 1999
2 sentences

2008Dunn v. McFeeley, 1999-NMCA-084, ¶ 25 , 127 N.M. 513 , 984 P.2d 760 . {16} New Mexico courts have found non-police employees of the state to fit the law enforcement exception of the NMTCA on a few occasions where their jobs involve holding persons accused of crime.

2008Dunn v. McFeeley, 1999-NMCA-084, ¶ 25 , 127 N.M. 513 , 984 P.2d 760 . {16} New Mexico courts have found non-police employees of the state to fit the law enforcement exception of the NMTCA on a few occasions where their jobs involve holding persons accused of crime.

12008–2008
Coyazo v. State green
nmctapp · 1995
2 sentences

2008In Coyazo, the plaintiff attempted to argue that the DA’s office fit the law enforcement exception through the NMTCA’s prong of “maintaining public order.” 120 N.M. at 49 , 897 P.2d at 236 .

2008In Coyazo, the plaintiff attempted to argue that the DA’s office fit the law enforcement exception through the NMTCA’s prong of “maintaining public order.” 120 N.M. at 49 , 897 P.2d at 236 .

12008–2008

Statutes the citing opinions construe

NM § N.M. Stat. § 41-4-12 (5) NM § N.M. Stat. § 41-4-3 (5) NM § N.M. Stat. § 41-4-4 (4) NM § N.M. Stat. § 41-4-1 (3) NM § N.M. Stat. § 41-4-5 (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

TX 22 (2002–2025) IN 16 (1992–2026) NY 12 (1990–2025) CA 10 (1987–2025) TN 9 (2006–2024) NM 8 (2008–2025) NJ 4 (2017–2020) IA 3 (2014–2025) IL 2 (2019–2019) WV 2 (1994–2000) ND 2 (2000–2021) AR 2 (2022–2022) CT 2 (2004–2024)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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