SANTA FE, N.M. — The city of Santa Fe today announced that it has put its DWI vehicle forfeiture program on hold.

According to a news release, the New Mexico Court of Appeals on Dec. 5 ruled that state law preempts Albuquerque’s civil forfeiture ordinance.

“Although the case was specific to Albuquerque, in a broad ruling the court held that state law was intended to allow only criminal—not civil forfeiture, in any jurisdiction in the state,” the city said in a news release. “In response, we’re putting a moratorium on our DWI Vehicle Forfeiture program. The moratorium will hold until further notice.”

CategoryDUI/DWI, Media, Santa Fe
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