SENATE BILL 489

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Antonio Maestas

AN ACT

RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE; PROVIDING FOR THE AUTHORITY OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONVENE GRAND JURY PANELS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 31, Article 6 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] AUTHORITY TO CONVENE GRAND JURY PANELS.--The district attorney and the attorney general may convene one or more grand jury panels at a time, without regard to court terms. A grand jury panel convened by the district attorney and attorney general shall be summoned, qualified and composed in the same manner as a grand jury panel convened by the district judge. If the district judge determines there are insufficient court facilities to accommodate the grand jury panel, the district attorney or the attorney general shall determine and provide for the place at which hearings and deliberations shall be conducted, make sufficient arrangements for interpreters, court reporters and security personnel and ensure compliance with the grand jury procedures established in Chapter 31, Article 6 NMSA 1978."

- 2 -