SANTA FE — A woman who was acquitted of killing an infant at a Santa Fe motel in March 2017 got credit for time served while awaiting trial for convictions on lesser charges and will no longer be incarcerated. In a trial that began in June, Rachel Smith, 27, was found not guilty of child…
Rachel Smith walks out of court after being acquitted of child abuse resulting in death in District Court on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican Angel Arellano, mother of Jonathan Valenzuela, cries in district court on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, as the jury read a not guilty verdict for Rachel Smith for…
Dear Mr. Aarons, My name is Joy Forrler and I am a Director with Marquis Who’s Who. As you know, you have been a listee with Marquis for many years. Throughout the years while maintaining your biography, we’ve been so impressed with all of the accomplishments you have made during your career as an attorney….
In 2019, New Mexico enacted a comprehensive law authorizing expungement (sealing) of most non-conviction records, and of conviction records in all but the most serious violent and sexual crimes. Effective January 1, 2020, the Criminal Record Expungement Act (CREA) authorizes courts to limit public access to all but a limited category of non-conviction records after…
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a series of criminal justice bills into law Wednesday, allowing more New Mexicans to expunge records of past arrests or convictions and banning employers from asking about criminal history on an initial job application. In signing the bills, the new Democratic governor contrasted herself with Republican predecessor Susana Martinez, a former…
“It would be extremely difficult, if not unethical, for the state to go forward with the trial at this point without setting our minds at ease that we do indeed have the right person in the courtroom”
A Rio Arriba County jury convicted a former high school teacher of two counts of sexual contact of a minor and five counts of sexual penetration of a minor Thursday following a single-day trial in Tierra Amarilla. Miguel G. Garcia worked at Mesa Vista High School in Ojo Caliente from 2008-15, according to the Rio Grande…
New Mexico Expungement Statute Passes State House
By Ari Burack | aburack@sfnewmexican.com A 17-year-old Santa Fe boy who prosecutors maintain was involved in the slaying of a Michigan man in September, despite dropping a murder charge against him, has been arrested in a new shooting case, authorities say. Zachary Gutierrez was arrested by Santa Fe police Feb. 12, following a…
Gonzales’ attorney Stephen Aarons filed a response asking the court to dismiss the appeal and send the case back to the District Court for trial.
