NCJ Number
58896
Date Published
1977
Length
44 pages
Annotation
A SUMMARY OF ALL BUSINESS OF PUBLIC INTEREST TRANSACTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW MEXICO, AS REPORTED TO THE GOVERNOR, IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE REPORT CONTAINS ACTIVITIES OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, INCLUDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE, CIVIL, CRIMINAL, CONSUMER PROTECTION, AND CORRUPT GOVERNMENT PRACTICES DIVISIONS. DURING 1976 THE DYNAMIC CHANGES INITIATED DURING 1975 WERE CONTINUED. BROAD POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES WERE GRANTED UNDER CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY AUTHORITY. WITHIN THE OFFICE, THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION ADOPTED AND IMPLEMENTED AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT CONTINUED TO DIRECT BUDGETING, PLANNING, FISCAL ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE SERVICE, RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS, AND WORK FLOW. WITHIN THE CIVIL DIVISION OF THE OFFICE, ACTIVITIES INCLUDED SUCCESSFUL LITIGATION IN DEFENSE OF VARIOUS CHALLENGES TO THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF STATE ELECTION LAWS, HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY OF PUBLIC PURCHASING PRACTICES AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL, AND SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE OF NUMEROUS TORT AND CIVIL RIGHTS CLAIMS BROUGHT AGAINST VARIOUS PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. THE CRIMINAL DIVISION HANDLED 12 CASES AT THE TRIAL LEVEL, RANGING IN COMPLEXITY FROM SIMPLE MISDEMEANORS TO FIRST DEGREE MURDER; THE TRIALS WERE HANDLED IN 7 DIFFERENT COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THE CONSUMER PROTECTION, THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT PRACTICES, AND THE WHITE COLLAR CRIME DIVISIONS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS. FINALLY, A TOTAL OF 40 OFFICIAL OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WERE ISSUED. THE TEXT OF THE REFERENCED OPINIONS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS DOCUMENT. (LWM)