New Mexico Statutes 30-52-1.1. Human trafficking; civil remedy for human trafficking victims
A. A human trafficking victim may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction against an alleged human trafficker for actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief or any other appropriate relief. Where the court finds that a defendant‘s actions were willful and malicious, the court may award treble damages to the plaintiff. A prevailing plaintiff is also entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs.
Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 30-52-1.1
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
B. A civil action pursuant to this section shall be forever barred unless the action is filed within ten years from the date on which:
(1) the defendant’s human trafficking actions occurred; or
(2) the victim attains eighteen years of age if the victim was a minor when the defendant’s actions occurred.