New Mexico Statutes 31-9-1.5. Determination of competency; evidentiary hearing
A. As provided for in Subsection A of Section 31-9-1.4 N.M. Stat. Ann., a hearing to determine the sufficiency of the evidence shall be held if the case is not dismissed and if the defendant is charged with a felony that involves the infliction of great bodily harm on another person; a felony that involves the use of a firearm; aggravated arson, as provided in Section 30-17-6 N.M. Stat. Ann.; criminal sexual penetration, as provided in Section 30-9-11 N.M. Stat. Ann.; or criminal sexual contact of a minor, as provided in Section 30-9-13 N.M. Stat. Ann.. Such hearing shall be conducted by the district court without a jury. The state and the defendant may introduce evidence relevant to the question of the defendant’s guilt of the crime charged. The district court may admit hearsay or affidavit evidence on secondary matters such as testimony to establish the chain of possession of physical evidence, laboratory reports, authentication of transcripts taken by official reporters, district court and business records and public documents.
Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 31-9-1.5
- Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Hearsay: Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
B. If the evidence does not establish by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant committed a felony that involves the infliction of great bodily harm on another person; a felony that involves the use of a firearm; aggravated arson, as provided in Section 30-17-6 N.M. Stat. Ann.; criminal sexual penetration, as provided in Section 30-9- 11 NMSA 1978; or criminal sexual contact of a minor, as provided in Section 30-9-13 N.M. Stat. Ann., the district court shall dismiss the criminal case with prejudice; however, nothing in this section shall prevent the state from initiating proceedings under the provisions of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code [43-1-2 N.M. Stat. Ann.], and the court may order the defendant confined for a maximum of seven days to facilitate preparation and initiation of a petition pursuant to that code.
C. If the district court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant committed a crime and has not made a finding of dangerousness, pursuant to section 31-9-1.2 N.M. Stat. Ann., the district court shall dismiss the charges without prejudice. The state may initiate proceedings pursuant to the provisions of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and the court may order the defendant confined for a maximum of seven days to facilitate preparation and initiation of a petition pursuant to that code.
D. If the district court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant committed a felony that involves the infliction of great bodily harm on another person; a felony that involves the use of a firearm; aggravated arson, as provided in Section 30- 17-6 NMSA 1978; criminal sexual penetration, as provided in Section 30-9-11 N.M. Stat. Ann.; or criminal sexual contact of a minor, as provided in Section 30-9-13 N.M. Stat. Ann. and enters a finding that the defendant remains incompetent to proceed and remains dangerous pursuant to Section 31-9-1.2 N.M. Stat. Ann.:
(1) the defendant shall be detained by the department of health in a secure, locked facility;
(2) the defendant shall not be released from that secure facility except pursuant to an order of the district court which committed him or upon expiration of the period of time equal to the maximum sentence to which the defendant would have been subject had the defendant been convicted in a criminal proceeding;
(3) significant changes in the defendant’s condition, including but not limited to trial competency and dangerousness, shall be reported in writing to the district court, state and defense; and
(4) at least every two years, the district court shall conduct a hearing upon notice to the parties and the department of health charged with detaining the defendant. At the hearing, the court shall enter findings on the issues of trial competency and dangerousness:
(a) upon a finding that the defendant is competent to proceed in a criminal case, the court shall continue with the criminal proceeding;
(b) if the defendant continues to be incompetent to proceed in a criminal case and dangerous pursuant to Section 31-9-1.2 N.M. Stat. Ann., the court shall review the defendant’s competency and dangerousness every two years until expiration of the period of commitment equal to the maximum sentence to which the defendant would have been subject had he or she been convicted in a criminal proceeding; provided, that if the treatment supervisor recommends that the defendant be committed pursuant to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, the court may at any time proceed pursuant to Subsection C of Section 31-9-1.4 N.M. Stat. Ann.; and
(c) if the defendant is not committed pursuant to Sections 31-9-1 through 31- 9-1.5 NMSA 1978 or if the court finds upon its two-year review hearing that the defendant is no longer dangerous, as defined in Section 31-9-1.2 N.M. Stat. Ann., the defendant shall be released.