New Mexico Statutes 30-9-17. Videotaped depositions of alleged victims who are under sixteen years of age; procedure; use in lieu of direct testimony
A. In any prosecution for criminal sexual penetration or criminal sexual contact of a minor, upon motion of the district attorney and after notice to the opposing counsel, the district court may, for a good cause shown, order the taking of a videotaped deposition of any alleged victim under the age of sixteen years. The videotaped deposition shall be taken before the judge in chambers in the presence of the district attorney, the defendant and his attorneys. Examination and cross-examination of the alleged victim shall proceed at the taking of the videotaped deposition in the same manner as permitted at trial under the provisions of Rule 611 of the New Mexico Rules of Evidence [Rule 11-611 NMRA]. Any videotaped deposition taken under the provisions of this act [this section] shall be viewed and heard at the trial and entered into the record in lieu of the direct testimony of the alleged victim.
Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 30-9-17
- Chambers: A judge's office.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
- 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.
- Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
- 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. For the purposes of this section, “videotaped deposition” means the visual recording on a magnetic tape, together with the associated sound, of a witness testifying under oath in the course of a judicial proceeding, upon oral examination and where an opportunity is given for cross-examination in the presence of the defendant and intended to be played back upon the trial of the action in court.
C. The supreme court may adopt rules of procedure and evidence to govern and implement the provisions of this act.
D. The cost of such videotaping shall be paid by the state.
E. Videotapes which are a part of the court record are subject to a protective order of the court for the purpose of protecting the privacy of the victim.