N.M. Stat. » N.M. Stat. / Chapter 31 / Article 20A
New Mexico Statutes

N.M. Stat. § 31-20A-6 (2026)

Repealed.

✓ current as of May 2026
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History: Laws 1979, ch. 150, § 7; repealed by Laws 2009, ch. 11, § 5.

                                     ANNOTATIONS
Repeals. — Laws 2009, ch. 11, § 5 repealed 31-20A-6 NMSA 1978, as enacted by
Laws 1979, ch. 150, § 7, relating to mitigating circumstances, effective July 1, 2009. For
provisions of former section, see the 2008 NMSA 1978 on NMOneSource.com.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases, 1983–2007 · leading case: State v. Jacobs, 10 P.3d 127 (N.M. 2000).
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State v. Jacobs, 10 P.3d 127 (N.M. 2000). · cites it 22× “See §§ 31-20A-6(A), (H). Finally, he asserts that the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.”
State v. Clark, 990 P.2d 793 (N.M. 1999). · cites it 26× “Whether the Statutory Definitions Regarding Mitigation are Constitutional {65} Clark's next issue regarding the constitutionality of the Act challenges Section 31-20A-6 (mitigating circumstances); he argues that the Act fails to provide any definition for the mitigating…”
State v. Allen, 994 P.2d 728 (N.M. 1999). · cites it 12× “NMSA 1978, § 31-20A-6(A) (1979). Conspicuously, however, a "significant" history of prior criminal history is not an aggravating circumstance.”
State v. Gilbert, 671 P.2d 640 (N.M. 1983). · cites it 12× “We have considered Defendant's claim that the jury has unlimited and unrestrained discretion during the sentencing phase of the trial.”
State v. Compton, 726 P.2d 837 (N.M. 1986). · cites it 12× “Compton contends that the New Mexico capital felony sentencing statutes, Sections 31-20A-1 through 31-20A-6, do not provide guidance for the jury in weighing the aggravating circumstances of Section 31-20A-5 with the mitigating circumstances of Section 31-20A-6. However, this…”
State v. Clark, 772 P.2d 322 (N.M. 1989). · cites it 6× “[8] Clark points out that while these *341 instructions require the jury to unanimously find a statutory aggravating circumstance exists beyond a reasonable doubt before a death sentence can be imposed, the jury is not provided with a legal standard for weighing the aggravating…”
State v. Guzman, 676 P.2d 1321 (N.M. 1984). · cites it 8× “Whether NMSA 1978, Subsection 31-20A-6(H) (Repl.Pamp.1981), which specifies that cooperation with authorities is a mitigating circumstance, is constitutional.”
State v. Smallwood, 2007 NMSC 5 (N.M. 2007). · cites it 2× “See NMSA 1978, § 31-20A-6(G) (1979). {2} Rule 5-704(A) provides that the State “shall file a notice of intent to seek the death penalty within ninety (90) days after arraignment unless good cause is shown.”
State v. Wyrostek, 873 P.2d 260 (N.M. 1994). · cites it 2× “1990) (determination of sentence); Section 31-20A-3 (sentencing of defendant); see also Section 31-20A-5 (aggravating circumstances defined); Section 31-20A-6 (Repl.Pamp.1990) (mitigating circumstances defined).”
State v. Mead, 665 P.2d 289 (N.M. Ct. App. 1983). “It is significant that under that section mitigating circumstances beyond those enumerated in § 31-20A-6 may be considered, whereas only the aggravating circumstances specifically set out in § 31-20A-5 may be considered.”
— N.M. Stat. § 31-20A-6(A) — 5 cases
State v. Allen, 994 P.2d 728 (N.M. 1999). “NMSA 1978, § 31-20A-6(A) (1979). Conspicuously, however, a "significant" history of prior criminal history is not an aggravating circumstance.”
State v. Clark, 990 P.2d 793 (N.M. 1999). “Whether the Statutory Definitions Regarding Mitigation are Constitutional {65} Clark's next issue regarding the constitutionality of the Act challenges Section 31-20A-6 (mitigating circumstances); he argues that the Act fails to provide any definition for the mitigating…”
State v. Jacobs, 10 P.3d 127 (N.M. 2000). “See §§ 31-20A-6(A), (H). Finally, he asserts that the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.”
State v. Gilbert, 671 P.2d 640 (N.M. 1983). “We have considered Defendant's claim that the jury has unlimited and unrestrained discretion during the sentencing phase of the trial.”
State v. Compton, 726 P.2d 837 (N.M. 1986). “Compton contends that the New Mexico capital felony sentencing statutes, Sections 31-20A-1 through 31-20A-6, do not provide guidance for the jury in weighing the aggravating circumstances of Section 31-20A-5 with the mitigating circumstances of Section 31-20A-6. However, this…”
— N.M. Stat. § 31-20A-6(C) — 1 case
State v. Jacobs, 10 P.3d 127 (N.M. 2000). “See §§ 31-20A-6(A), (H). Finally, he asserts that the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.”
— N.M. Stat. § 31-20A-6(G) — 2 cases
State v. Jacobs, 10 P.3d 127 (N.M. 2000). “See §§ 31-20A-6(A), (H). Finally, he asserts that the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.”
State v. Smallwood, 2007 NMSC 5 (N.M. 2007). “See NMSA 1978, § 31-20A-6(G) (1979). {2} Rule 5-704(A) provides that the State “shall file a notice of intent to seek the death penalty within ninety (90) days after arraignment unless good cause is shown.”
— N.M. Stat. § 31-20A-6(H) — 5 cases
State v. Jacobs, 10 P.3d 127 (N.M. 2000). “See §§ 31-20A-6(A), (H). Finally, he asserts that the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.”
State v. Clark, 990 P.2d 793 (N.M. 1999). “Whether the Statutory Definitions Regarding Mitigation are Constitutional {65} Clark's next issue regarding the constitutionality of the Act challenges Section 31-20A-6 (mitigating circumstances); he argues that the Act fails to provide any definition for the mitigating…”
State v. Allen, 994 P.2d 728 (N.M. 1999). “NMSA 1978, § 31-20A-6(A) (1979). Conspicuously, however, a "significant" history of prior criminal history is not an aggravating circumstance.”
State v. Guzman, 676 P.2d 1321 (N.M. 1984). “Whether NMSA 1978, Subsection 31-20A-6(H) (Repl.Pamp.1981), which specifies that cooperation with authorities is a mitigating circumstance, is constitutional.”
State v. Compton, 726 P.2d 837 (N.M. 1986). “Compton contends that the New Mexico capital felony sentencing statutes, Sections 31-20A-1 through 31-20A-6, do not provide guidance for the jury in weighing the aggravating circumstances of Section 31-20A-5 with the mitigating circumstances of Section 31-20A-6. However, this…”
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