N.M. R. Crim. P. Metro. Ct. 7-204

As amended through May 8, 2024

Rule 7-204 - Issuance of warrant for arrest and summons

A.Issuance. On the docketing of any criminal action the court may issue either a summons or an arrest warrant.

B.Basis for warrant. The court may issue an arrest warrant only on a sworn statement of the facts showing probable cause that an offense has been committed. The showing of probable cause shall be based on substantial evidence, which may be hearsay in whole or in part, provided there is a substantial basis for believing the source of the hearsay to be credible and for believing there is a factual basis for the information furnished. Before ruling on a request for a warrant, the court may require the affiant to appear personally and may examine under oath the affiant and any witnesses produced by the affiant, but the additional evidence shall be reduced to writing and supported by oath or affirmation. The court also may permit a request for an arrest warrant by any method authorized by Paragraph F of Rule 7-208 NMRA for search warrants and may issue an arrest warrant remotely if the requirements of Paragraph G of Rule 7-208 NMRA and this rule are met.

C.Preference for summons. The court shall issue a summons, unless in its discretion, the court finds that the interests of justice may be better served by the issuance of an arrest warrant.

D.Form.

(1)Warrant.The warrant shall be signed by the court and shall contain the name of the defendant or, if the defendant's name is unknown, any name or description by which the defendant can be identified with reasonable certainty. It shall describe the offense charged. It shall command that the defendant be arrested and brought before the court. The warrant may set conditions of release for the defendant only for:

(a) penalty assessment misdemeanor charges; or

(b) traffic code misdemeanor charges, except for:

(i) driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, contrary to Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978; and

(ii) operating a motorboat while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, contrary to Section 66-13-3 NMSA 1978.

(2)Summons.The summons shall be in the same form as the warrant except that it shall summon the defendant to appear before the court at a stated time and place. A summons or arrest warrant shall be substantially in the form approved by the Supreme Court.

N.M. R. Crim. P. Metro. Ct. 7-204

As amended by Supreme Court Order No. 13-8300-011, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after7/15/2013; amended by Supreme Court Order No. 15-8300-008, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after12/31/2015; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. 19-8300-018, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after December 31, 2019; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. S-1-RCR-2024-00068, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after 5/8/2024.

Committee commentary. - Paragraph A was amended in 2013 to permit alternate methods for requesting and issuing arrest warrants. See Rule 7-208 NMRA and the related committee commentary for more information.

Paragraph C was amended in 2019 to be consistent with Rule 5-208 NMRA, which was amended at the same time.

Paragraph D was amended in 2024 to prevent release of defendants arrested on warrants before the defendant's first appearance or other hearing, with exceptions for penalty assessment misdemeanor charges and certain traffic code misdemeanor charges.

[Adopted by Supreme Court Order No. 13-8300-011, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after July 15, 2013; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. 19-8300-018, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after December 31, 2019; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. S-1-RCR-2024-00068, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after May 8, 2024.]

ANNOTATIONS The 2024 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. S-1-RCR-2024-00068, effective May 8, 2024, provided that the warrant for arrest may set condition of release for the defendant only for penalty assessment misdemeanor charges or certain traffic code misdemeanor charges, made certain technical changes, and revised the committee commentary; in Paragraph D, Subparagraph D(1), added the subparagraph heading "Warrant.", added "The warrant may set conditions of release for the defendant only for:", and added Items D(1)(a) and D(1)(b); and in Subparagraph D(2), added the subparagraph heading "Summons". The 2019 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. 19-8300-018, effective December 31, 2019, removed the showing of good cause requirement for a metropolitan court to issue a warrant for arrest, and revised the committee commentary; and in Paragraph C, after "in its discretion", deleted "and for good cause shown". The 2015 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. 15-8300-008, effective December 31, 2015, in Paragraph A, after the heading, added the new sentence "Upon the docketing of any criminal action the court may issue either a summons or an arrest warrant." and redesignated the remainder of former Paragraph A as present Paragraph B; in present Paragraph B, added the heading "Basis for warrant.", and in the first sentence, after "arrest warrant", added "or summons"; redesignated former Paragraphs B and C as Paragraphs C and D, respectively; in present Paragraph C, after "issuance of", deleted "a warrant for" and added "an", and after "arrest", added "warrant"; in present Paragraph D, in the first sentence, after "defendant or, if", deleted "his" and added "the defendant's", and after "by which", deleted "he" and added "the defendant". The 2013 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. 13-8300-011, provided for alternate methods for requesting and issuing arrest warrants; and in Paragraph A, added the last sentence.

For forms on criminal summons, certificate of mailing, and return, see Rule 9-208 NMRA. For form on affidavit for arrest warrant, see Rule 9-209 NMRA.