In order to facilitate representation in matters arising before appearance in any court in matters covered by the Indigent Defense Act, the director of the administrative office of the courts may, upon direction of the supreme court with respect to habeas corpus proceedings initiated in the supreme court, or upon request of a district court, enter into contracts with attorneys designated by these courts whereby the attorney shall undertake to perform the services of assigned counsel in all or any specified portion of the cases originating within the judicial district. All contracts shall be approved by the chief justice of the supreme court and all payments provided therein shall be made by the supreme court or in the appropriate district court requesting the contract, but in no instance shall contract payments exceed the maximums set out in Section 65 [31-16-8 N.M. Stat. Ann.] of the Indigent Defense Act.

Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 31-16-9

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.