New Mexico § 31-15-4 Chief public defender; appointment; qualifications;

New Mexico Statutes

§ 31-15-4 — Chief public defender; appointment; qualifications;

New Mexico § 31-15-4

Ch. 31Criminal Procedure

Art. 15Public Defenders

This text of New Mexico § 31-15-4 (Chief public defender; appointment; qualifications;) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

N.M. Stat. Ann. § 31-15-4 (2026).

Text

removal. A. The chief shall be the administrative head of the department. The commission shall appoint a chief for a term of four years by approval of two-thirds of its members. The commission may reappoint a chief for subsequent terms. A vacancy in the office of the chief shall be filled by appointment by the commission. B. The commission shall appoint as chief only a person with the following qualifications:

(1)an attorney licensed to practice law in New Mexico or who will be so licensed within one year of appointment;

(2)an attorney whose practice of law has been active for at least five years immediately preceding the date of this appointment;

(3)an attorney whose practice of law has included a minimum of five years' experience in defense of persons accused of crime; and (4) an atto

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removal. A. The chief shall be the administrative head of the department. The commission shall appoint a chief for a term of four years by approval of two-thirds of its members. The commission may reappoint a chief for subsequent terms. A vacancy in the office of the chief shall be filled by appointment by the commission. B. The commission shall appoint as chief only a person with the following qualifications: (1) an attorney licensed to practice law in New Mexico or who will be so licensed within one year of appointment; (2) an attorney whose practice of law has been active for at least five years immediately preceding the date of this appointment; (3) an attorney whose practice of law has included a minimum of five years' experience in defense of persons accused of crime; and (4) an attorney who has clearly demonstrated management or executive experience. C. The chief may be removed by the commission; provided, however, that no removal shall be made without notice of hearing and an opportunity to be heard having been first given to the chief.