Media
The right of a criminal defendant to receive a fair trial and the right of the press to publish information about a defendant or criminal act are both guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Both are valuable and important rights. These two safeguards, however, can conflict when pretrial publicity has the potential to prejudice a potential jury pool, and ultimately deprive a defendant, a victim, or the people of a fair and just trial.
There are specific rules mandated by the New Mexico Supreme Court that provide guidelines on what information can be legally allowed to be shared with the media and with the public. These rules have been specifically implemented to preserve a defendant's, victim's, and the public's right to a fair and just trial. In determining what information may be released to the media, the Third Judicial District Attorney's office is guided by the New Mexico State Supreme Court rules of Professional Conduct; Trial publicity 16-306 (a-d), (1-7), Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor, 16-308 (F) of the New Mexico Rules Annotated which may limit the amount, timing, or detail of information released.
PRESS INQUIRIES:
Public Information Office
Roxanne Garcia-McElmell
[email protected]
(575) 524-6370 x1140
Mobile:(575) 915-5954
IPRA Records Request
A person desiring to inspect public records may submit a request to the record's custodian orally or in writing. However, the procedures and penalties prescribed by the Act apply only to written requests. A written request must contain the name, address, and telephone number of the person making the request. Written requests may be submitted in person or sent via US mail, or email. The request must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable the record's custodian to identify and locate the requested records.
The record's custodian must permit inspection immediately or as soon as practicable, but no later than 15 calendar days after the records custodian receives the inspection request. If inspection is not permitted within three business days, the person making the request will receive a written response explaining when the records will be available for inspection or when the public body will respond to the request. If any of the records sought are not available for public inspection, the person making the request is entitled to a written response from the record's custodian explaining the reasons the inspection has been denied. The written denial shall be delivered or mailed within 15 calendar days after the records custodian receives the request for inspection.
For general information about the IPRA compliance process, please go to the New Mexico Department of Justice for a Compliance Guide Here
Inspection of Public Records Act
IPRA requests may be submitted to the Third Judicial District Attorney by email, standard mail, or in-person review of records.
By law, under the Inspection of Public Records Act, every person has the right to inspect public records of the 3rd Judicial District Attorney's Office. Compliance with requests to inspect public records is an integral part of the routine duties of the officers and employees of the 3rd Judicial District Attorney's Office. Please see our Procedures for Requesting Inspection Here PDF-Inspection of Public Records procedures
Procedures for Requesting Inspection.
Requests to inspect public records should be submitted to the record's custodian, located at:
Third Judicial District Attorney's Office
IPRA
845 N. Motel Blvd.
Second Floor, Suite D.
Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88007
Email: [email protected]