HABITUAL OFFENDER STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

HB 74 removes the ten-year time limit for counting prior felony convictions toward habitual offender sentencing in New Mexico. Currently, only convictions within ten years of the current offense count; this bill changes that so any prior felony conviction, regardless of when it occurred, can be used to increase sentences. It directly affects noncapital felony offenders with prior convictions, potentially increasing their sentences by 1, 4, or 8 years based on the number of prior offenses. The bill modifies the legal definition of "prior felony conviction" in sentencing law but does not change the sentencing structure itself.