NCJ Number
64302
Date Published
1980
Length
19 pages
Annotation
A REPORT OF THE NEW MEXICO JUDICIAL COUNCIL'S PROCEEDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE, THE GOVERNOR, AND THE STATE SUPREME COURT FOR 1979 IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE COUNCIL IS A STATUTORY BODY COMPRISED OF 19 MEMBERS. DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL INCLUDE THE STUDY OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF ALL STATE COURTS, THE INVESTIGATION OF CRITICISMS PERTAINING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, AND THE RECOMMENDATION OF DESIRABLE CHANGES TO THE LEGISLATURE AND STATE SUPREME COURT. MEETINGS ARE HELD AT LEAST FOUR TIMES A YEAR, AND ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. CHANGES IN THE LAWS, SOME PROPOSED BY THE COUNCIL, BECAME EFFECTIVE IN 1979. CHANGES IN LAWS APPLICABLE TO JURY SERVICE INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF A STATUTORY REMEDY FOR PROSPECTIVE JURORS WHO ARE THREATENED WITH LOSING THEIR JOBS IF THEY RESPOND TO A JURY SUMMONS RATHER THAN REPORT TO WORK. MILEAGE RATES FOR JURORS WERE RAISED TO RATES FOR STATE EMPLOYEES AND THE PER HOUR COMPENSATION TO STATE MINIMUM WAGE. IN ADDITION, THE COUNCIL RECOMMENDED RAISING THE SALARIES OF JUDICIAL EMPLOYEES SUBSTANTIALLY TO REDUCE HIGH TURNOVER RATES. WITH DATA OBTAINED FROM THE 1980 CENSUS, THE COUNCIL EXPECTS TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS USEFUL TO THE LEGISLATURE IN CONSIDERING RE-DISTRICTING THE JUDICIAL DISTRICTS. OTHER MAJOR AREAS OF LEGAL REFORM ADDRESSED IN 1979 INCLUDED BREVITY IN PLEADINGS, COURT CLERK OPERATIONS, SERVICE OF PROCESS, DISCOVERY, MOTION PROCEDURES, PRETRIAL SETTLEMENT AND HEARINGS, DOCKET MANAGEMENT, EVIDENTIARY RULES, AND ALTERNATIVES TO TRIAL. A TABLE IS INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. (LWM)