Criminal Justice

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 61: AGGRAVATED BATTERY ON POLICE OFFICER

HB 61 increases penalties for assaulting police officers in New Mexico. It directly affects individuals who commit battery against officers while they are lawfully performing duties. The bill reclassifies two types of offenses: causing temporary disfigurement or loss of body function becomes a fourth-degree felony, while inflicting great bodily harm or using deadly weapons raises the charge to a second-degree felony. These changes modify existing criminal penalties under Section 30-22-25 of New Mexico law, making the most severe assaults carry significantly higher penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting police (reclassifies offenses as higher felonies), expanding criminalization and restricting defendant rights per oppose indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 46: CRIME OF DIGITAL SABOTAGE OF A BUSINESS

HB 46 creates a new criminal offense called "digital sabotage of a business" under New Mexico's Computer Crimes Act. It prohibits unauthorized interference with a business's digital resources - including redirecting customers, damaging operations, or spreading false information to harm reputation - with penalties based on the financial damage caused. Penalties range from a petty misdemeanor for damage under $250 to a second-degree felony for damage over $20,000, including enhanced penalties for repeat offenses. The law directly affects businesses (defined broadly as corporations, partnerships, or individuals) and anyone committing such acts against them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense and penalties for digital sabotage of businesses, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.90% confidence

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 103: UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH AIRCRAFT

SB 103 makes it a crime to interfere with aircraft flight, specifically adding directing a laser at an aircraft to the list of prohibited acts. It directly affects individuals who point lasers at aircraft (e.g., from the ground), imposing penalties based on severity: a fourth-degree felony for first offenses, third-degree for repeat offenses or causing medical harm. The law amends New Mexico’s criminal code to define "laser" and sets sentencing requirements under existing felony statutes. This bill creates clear criminal penalties for actions that endanger aircraft operations, without changing other aspects of aviation safety law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding laser interference as felony offense, opposing reform efforts per indicators.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances aviation safety by penalizing laser interference with aircraft, directly protecting transportation infrastructure and operations within aviation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Airports

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died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 146: FELON IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM PENALTY

HB 146 increases penalties for individuals with felony convictions who possess firearms or destructive devices. For a first offense, it raises the penalty to five years in prison (previously a general third-degree felony without a specified term). It also creates a new second-offense penalty of nine years for repeat offenders, applying specifically to those convicted of felonies within the past decade. The bill directly affects people with recent felony convictions who unlawfully possess firearms, including those convicted of certain violent crimes or under protection orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison terms (5-9 years) for felon firearm possession, expanding criminalization and harshening sentencing per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Firearms

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died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 25: JUVENILE FIREARM USE AND BACKGROUND CHECKS

HB 25 prohibits adults who received a juvenile disposition for a firearm-related offense (that would be a felony if committed by an adult) from possessing firearms or destructive devices. It treats such juvenile dispositions as criminal convictions for the purpose of firearm background checks, requiring law enforcement to access these juvenile records during background screenings. The bill directly affects adults with these specific juvenile court records, preventing them from legally obtaining or possessing firearms. Key mechanisms include amending firearm possession laws to include this category of individuals and mandating access to juvenile delinquency records during background checks. The law does not change juvenile sentencing but alters how past firearm-related juvenile cases impact adult firearm rights.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeTreats juvenile firearm dispositions as criminal convictions for background checks, expanding criminalization and restricting firearm access for affected individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 146: CIVIL RIGHTS ACT CLAIM CHANGES

SB 146 amends New Mexico's Civil Rights Act to change how people can sue government entities for rights violations. It directly affects residents who claim government actions violated their constitutional rights, such as police misconduct or school policies. Key changes include: reducing the maximum total damages from $2 million to $750,000 per incident (with separate limits for property, medical costs, and other damages), shortening the filing deadline from 3 to 2 years, requiring written notice before suing, and banning double recovery from both this act and the Tort Claims Act. The bill also removes punitive damages and clarifies that government employees can't sue under this act for job-related issues.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReduces damages for civil rights claims involving police misconduct, shortens filing deadlines, and adds procedural barriers - directly weakening accountability for law enforcement actions under criminal justice context.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing Tags Civil Liberties

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died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 72: CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE MINOR DISTRIBUTION

HB 72 makes it a crime for anyone 18 or older to intentionally give Schedule I or II controlled substances (like certain narcotics or methamphetamine) to a person under 18. It increases penalties for this offense, classifying first-time violations involving these specific drugs as a first-degree felony, while other Schedule I-IV drugs carry a second-degree felony for a first offense. The bill targets distributors who supply dangerous substances to minors, with harsher penalties for narcotics, methamphetamine, or their analogs. This law directly affects adults distributing such substances to minors in New Mexico, changing sentencing under existing criminal code.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for distributing controlled substances to minors, classifying offenses as higher felonies, expanding criminalization rather than reforming justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 196: PENALTY FOR RECEIVING STOLEN FIREARM

HB 196 increases penalties for receiving stolen firearms in New Mexico by lowering the value threshold that triggers a felony charge. Currently, receiving stolen property valued over $2,500 is a third-degree felony, but this bill makes receiving a stolen firearm a third-degree felony regardless of its value (even under $2,500). It directly affects individuals who knowingly receive, retain, or dispose of a stolen firearm, including dealers who might acquire firearms at suspiciously low prices or in bulk. The change specifically targets firearm-related thefts by making the offense more severe compared to other stolen property. The bill is currently under review by the House Consumer & Public Affairs and Judiciary Committees.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony penalties for receiving stolen firearms regardless of value, expanding criminalization and mandatory sentencing per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 179: SEALED JUVENILE RECORD & PRETRIAL DETENTION

HB 179 allows legal parties (like prosecutors or defense attorneys) to reference sealed juvenile records in specific court proceedings, including pretrial detention hearings, conditions of release, and sentencing. This change applies to individuals whose juvenile records were legally sealed under New Mexico law, meaning their sealed records can now be considered in these limited contexts. The bill amends existing sealing rules to permit the use of a sealed juvenile record's existence and contents in written pleadings for these proceedings, while maintaining confidentiality for all other purposes. It does not alter the criteria for sealing juvenile records or the general confidentiality protections for sealed files.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill permits use of sealed juvenile records in sentencing/pretrial, weakening sealing protections that aid rehabilitation and reduce recidivism90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 160: INCREASE ALTERATION OF FIREARM CRIME SENTENCE

SB 160 would increase prison sentences for certain firearm-related crimes in New Mexico. If a court finds a firearm was used, brandished, or discharged during a noncapital felony (like drug trafficking or aggravated burglary), it would add 2 to 10 years to the base sentence - doubling prior penalties. This applies to people convicted of offenses involving firearms, requiring separate court findings about the firearm's role. The bill mandates jury consideration for these findings in certain cases and includes provisions for firearm forfeiture. The bill is currently under review by Senate committees.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison sentences for firearm crimes by 2-10 years, doubling prior penalties - directly contradicts criminal justice reform indicators by expanding criminalization and reducing sentencing flexibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Sentencing

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