N.M. Stat. » Chapter 30 — Criminal Offenses
New Mexico Statutes

N.M. Stat. § 30-2-8 (2026)

When homicide is excusable or justifiable defendant to be

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acquitted. Whenever any person is prosecuted for a homicide, and upon his trial the killing shall be found to have been excusable or justifiable, the jury shall find such person not guilty and he shall be discharged.

History: 1953 Comp., § 40A-2-9, enacted by Laws 1963, ch. 303, § 2-9.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1981–2026 · leading case: State v. Par., 878 P.2d 988 (N.M. 1994).
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State v. Par., 878 P.2d 988 (N.M. 1994). · cites it 2× “” NMSA 1978, § 30-2-8 (Repl.Pamp.1984) (emphasis added).”
State v. Ungarten, 856 P.2d 569 (N.M. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 3× “Section 30-2-8 NMSA 1978 [Repl.Pamp.1987]”.”
State v. Melendez, 643 P.2d 609 (N.M. Ct. App. 1981). · cites it 2× “Section 30-2-8, N.M.S.A. 1978, dictates that a finding of justifiable homicide imposes on the jury the obligation to find the defendant not guilty.”
State v. Ward (N.M. 2026). “NMSA 1978, § 30-2-5(A) (1963); see also NMSA 12 1978, § 30-2-8 (1963) (requiring a finding of excusable homicide to result in full 13 acquittal).”
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