State v. Herrera

582 P.2d 384, 92 N.M. 7
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedApril 25, 1978
Docket3238
StatusPublished
Cited by62 cases

This text of 582 P.2d 384 (State v. Herrera) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Herrera, 582 P.2d 384, 92 N.M. 7 (N.M. Ct. App. 1978).

Opinion

OPINION

WOOD, Chief Judge.

Defendant was convicted of kidnapping in the second degree, four counts of criminal sexual penetration in the second degree (two of sexual intercourse, one of anal intercourse and one of fellatio) and robbery. We answer two of the appellate issues summarily. We discuss § 40A-9-26, N.M.S.A. 1953 (2d Repl. Vol. 6, Supp.1975) and how it was applied in this case. This discussion involves the constitutionality of § 40A-9-26, supra, limitation upon discovery, and cross-examination concerning past sexual conduct. We also discuss the trial court’s refusal to permit defendant to inspect and the refusal of the trial court to inspect, in camera, the notes of a physician.

Issues Answered Summarily

These two issues involve jury instructions.

(a) The indictment charged the kidnapping was by holding the victim to service against her will. Defendant claims the instruction setting forth the elements of kidnapping failed to instruct the jury on the required intent. The elements instruction can properly be viewed as ambiguous as to the intent required; however, this ambiguity was cleared up in the immediately following instruction which told the jury how the intent to hold to service may be proved. Accordingly, we do not consider the fact that the instruction complained of on appeal was given at defendant’s request.

(b) Each of the four CSP offenses were submitted to the jury in the alternative — by use of force or coercion which resulted in personal injury or was perpetrated in the commission of another felony. Section 40A-9-21(B)(2) and (4), N.M.S.A.1953 (2d Repl. Vol. 6, Supp.1975). Defendant objected that “instructing the jury that they can select from either one of two ways within the same count is confusing.to the jury”. There was no confusion in the instructions given. On appeal defendant claims the alternative instructions denied him due process, right to trial by jury and his right to proof beyond a reasonable doubt as to each element of the crimes charged. Defendant speculates that six jurors could have found CSP by personal injury and six jurors could have found CSP in the commission of another felony. No such speculation was presented to the trial court. It will not be considered for the first time on appeal. N.M.Crim.App. 308.

Section 40A-9-26, supra, and its Application

The statute reads:

40A-9-26. Testimony — Limitations— In camera hearing — A. As a matter of substantive right, in prosecutions under sections 2 through 6 of this act [40A-9-21 to 40A-9-25], evidence of the victim’s past sexual conduct, opinion evidence thereof, or of reputation for past sexual conduct, shall not be admitted unless, and only to the extent that the court finds, that evidence of the victim’s past sexual conduct is material to the case and that its inflammatory or prejudicial nature does not outweigh its probative value.
B. If such evidence is proposed to be offered, the defendant must file a written motion prior to trial. The court shall hear such pretrial motion prior to trial at an in camera hearing to determine whether such evidence is admissible under subsection A of this section. If new information, which the defendant proposes to offer under subsection A of this section, is discovered prior to or during the trial, the judge shall order an in camera hearing to determine whether the proposed evidence is admissible under subsection A of this section. If such proposed evidence is deemed admissible, the court shall issue a written order stating what evidence may be introduced by the defendant and stating the specific questions to be permitted.

1. Defendant asserts the statute is unconstitutional on its face.

Defendant points out that the power to regulate pleading, practice and procedure in the district court is vested in the Supreme Court. State v. Roy, 40 N.M. 397, 60 P.2d 646, 110 A.L.R. 1 (1936). See N.M.Const., Art. III, § 1; Ammerman v. Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., 89 N.M. 307, 551 P.2d 1354 (1976); State ex rel. Anaya v. McBride, 88 N.M. 244, 539 P.2d 1006 (1975).

The State asserts the statute does not involve pleading, practice and procedure; rather, that the statute involves substantive rights. The State refers us to the phrase, “[a]s a matter of substantive right,” appearing in § 40A-9-26(A), supra. The word “substantive” does not provide an answer. The Legislature intended to regulate the admission of evidence pertaining to the victim’s past sexual conduct. The manner of regulation goes to practice and procedure and, thus, pertains to matters within the control of the Supreme Court. Ammerman, supra.

The fact that the Legislature has attempted to regulate practice and procedure in regard to the victim’s past sexual conduct does not mean that the legislation is unconstitutional in that it violates the provisions for separation of governmental power. See N.M.Const., Art. III, § 1. Alexander v. Delgado, 84 N.M. 717, 507 P.2d 778 (1973) states: “This court has no quarrel with the statutory arrangements which seem reasonable and workable and has not seen fit to change it by rule.” While a statute regulating practice and procedure is not binding on the Supreme Court, it nevertheless is given effect until there is a conflict between the statute and a rule adopted by the Supreme Court. See Ammerman v. Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., supra; State ex rel. Anaya v. McBride, supra. Thus, in Alexander v. Delgado, supra, the Supreme Court applied the statutory provision for review of Court of Appeals decisions by writ of certiorari (there being no contrary rule), while pointing out that it had such power of review regardless of the statute.

Defendant asserts that § 40A-9-26, supra, not only conflicts with evidentiary rules but changes the rules. We disagree.

Section 40A-9-26, supra, permits evidence of the victim’s past sexual conduct, opinion evidence thereof, or of reputation for past sexual conduct only to the extent the court finds that such evidence is material to the case and that its inflammatory and prejudicial nature does not outweigh its probative value. Section 40A-9-26, supra, was enacted by Laws 1975, ch. 109, § 7. The Supreme Court adopted the Rules of Evidence, effective July 1, 1973. Evidence Rule 403 provides that “[although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice”. The balancing approach in Evidence Rule 403 did not state new law. See State v. Day, 91 N.M. 570, 577 P.2d 878 (Ct.App. decided February 7, 1978). The balancing approach to be applied in admitting evidence concerning past sexual conduct under § 40A-9-26, supra, does not conflict with, rather it is consistent with, Evidence Rule 403.

Defendant’s argument that § 40A-9-26, supra, not only conflicts, but changes evidentiary rules, and our answers, follow:

(a) State v. Ulmer, 37 N.M.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
582 P.2d 384, 92 N.M. 7, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-herrera-nmctapp-1978.