AN ACT
RELATING TO DRIVING WHILE UNDER THE
INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR DRUGS; INCREASING PENALTIES FOR FELONY DWI
OFFENDERS; MANDATING TREATMENT FOR
PERSONS CONVICTED A SECOND OR THIRD TIME FOR DWI; REQUIRING THAT THE
CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT PROVIDE SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING AND TREATMENT TO
FELONY DWI OFFENDERS; COMPLYING WITH FEDERAL LAW REGARDING PROHIBITED BLOOD OR
BREATH ALCOHOL CONCENTRATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVERS; AMENDING AND REPEALING
SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF
THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. Section 31-18-17 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1977,
Chapter 216, Section 6, as amended) is amended to read:
"31-18-17. HABITUAL OFFENDERS--ALTERATION OF BASIC
SENTENCE.--
A. A person convicted of a noncapital felony in
this state whether within the Criminal Code or the Controlled Substances Act or
not who has incurred one prior felony conviction that was part of a separate
transaction or occurrence or conditional discharge under Section 31-20-13 NMSA
1978 is a habitual offender and his basic sentence shall be increased by one
year. The sentence imposed pursuant to
this subsection shall not be suspended or deferred, unless the court makes a
specific finding that the prior felony conviction and the instant felony
conviction are both for nonviolent felony offenses and that justice will not be
served by imposing a mandatory sentence of imprisonment and that there are
substantial and compelling reasons, stated on the record, for departing from
the sentence imposed pursuant to this subsection.
B. A person convicted of a noncapital felony in
this state whether within the Criminal Code or the Controlled Substances Act or
not who has incurred two prior felony convictions that were parts of separate
transactions or occurrences or conditional discharge under Section 31-20-13
NMSA 1978 is a habitual offender and his basic sentence shall be increased by
four years. The sentence imposed by this
subsection shall not be suspended or deferred.
C. A person convicted of a noncapital felony in
this state whether within the Criminal Code or the Controlled Substances Act or
not who has incurred three or more prior felony convictions that were parts of
separate transactions or occurrences or conditional discharge under Section
31-20-13 NMSA 1978 is a habitual offender and his basic sentence shall be
increased by eight years. The sentence
imposed by this subsection shall not be suspended or deferred.
D. As used in this section, "prior felony
conviction" means:
(1) a conviction, when less than ten years have
passed prior to the instant felony conviction since the person completed
serving his sentence or period of probation or parole for the prior felony,
whichever is later, for a prior felony committed within New Mexico whether
within the Criminal Code or not, but not including a conviction for a felony
pursuant to the provisions of Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978; or
(2) a prior felony, when less than ten years have
passed prior to the instant felony conviction since the person completed
serving his sentence or period of probation or parole for the prior felony,
whichever is later, for which the person was convicted other than an offense
triable by court martial if:
(a) the conviction was rendered by a court of
another state, the United States, a territory of the United States or the
commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(b) the offense was punishable, at the time of
conviction, by death or a maximum term of imprisonment of more than one year; or
(c) the offense would have been classified as a
felony in this state at the time of conviction.
E. As used in this section, "nonviolent
felony offense" means application of force, threatened use of force or a
deadly weapon was not used by the offender in the commission of the
offense."
Section 2. Section 66-5-68 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989,
Chapter 14, Section 17, as amended) is amended to read:
"66-5-68. DISQUALIFICATION.--
A. The department shall disqualify a person from
driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than one year if
the person:
(1) refuses to submit to a chemical test when
requested pursuant to the provisions of the Implied Consent Act; or
(2) is convicted of a violation of:
(a) driving a commercial motor vehicle under the
influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs in violation of Section 66-8-102 NMSA
1978, an ordinance of a municipality of this state or the law of another state;
(b) leaving the scene of an accident involving a
commercial motor vehicle driven by the person in violation of Section 66-7-201
NMSA 1978 or an ordinance of a municipality of this state or the law of another
state; or
(c) using a commercial motor vehicle in the
commission of any felony.
B. The department shall disqualify a person from
driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than three years if
any of the violations specified in Subsection A of this section occur while transporting
a hazardous material required to be placarded.
C. The department shall disqualify a person from
driving a commercial motor vehicle for life if convicted of two or more
violations of any of the offenses specified in Subsection A of this section, or
any combination of those offenses, arising from two or more separate incidents,
but the secretary may issue regulations establishing guidelines, including
conditions, under which a disqualification for life under this subsection may
be reduced to a period of not less than ten years. This subsection applies only to those
offenses committed after July 1, 1989.
D. The
department shall disqualify a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle
for life if the person uses a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of any
felony involving the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of a controlled
substance or the possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense
a controlled substance.
E. The department shall disqualify a person from
driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than sixty days if
convicted of two serious traffic violations or one hundred twenty days if
convicted of three serious traffic violations, if the violations were committed
while driving a commercial motor vehicle, arising from separate incidents
occurring within a three-year period.
F. The department shall disqualify a person from
driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than one hundred
eighty days nor more than two years if the person is convicted of a first
violation of an out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials
required to be placarded pursuant to the federal Hazardous Materials
Transportation Act or while operating a motor vehicle designed to transport
more than fifteen passengers, including the driver. The department shall disqualify a person from
driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than three years
nor more than five years if, during any ten-year period, the person is convicted of any
subsequent violations of out-of-service orders, in separate incidents, while
transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded pursuant to that act
or while operating a motor vehicle designed to transport more than fifteen
passengers, including the driver.
G. When a person is disqualified from driving a
commercial motor vehicle, any commercial driver's license held by that person
is invalidated without separate proceeding of any kind and the driver is not
eligible to apply for a commercial driver's license until the period of time
for which the driver was disqualified has elapsed.
H. After disqualifying, suspending, revoking or
canceling a commercial driver's license, the department shall, within ten days,
update its records to reflect that action.
After disqualifying, suspending, revoking or canceling a nonresident
commercial driver's privileges, the department shall, within ten days, notify
the licensing authority of the state that issued the commercial driver's
license.
I. For purposes of this section, the term
"convicted" includes a license revocation pursuant to the Implied
Consent Act or the implied consent act of another state."
Section 3. Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1953,
Chapter 139, Section 54, as amended) is amended to read:
"66-8-102. PERSONS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING
LIQUOR OR DRUGS--AGGRAVATED DRIVING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING
LIQUOR OR DRUGS--PENALTY.--
A. It is unlawful for a person who is under the
influence of intoxicating liquor to drive a vehicle within this state.
B. It is unlawful for a person who is under the
influence of any drug to a degree that renders him incapable of safely driving
a vehicle to drive a vehicle within this state.
C. It is unlawful for:
(1) a person who has an alcohol concentration of
eight one hundredths or more in his blood or breath to drive a vehicle within
this state; and
(2) a person who has an alcohol concentration of
four one hundredths or more in his blood or breath to drive a commercial motor
vehicle within this state.
D. Aggravated driving while under the influence
of intoxicating liquor or drugs consists of a person who:
(1) has an alcohol concentration of sixteen one
hundredths or more in his blood or breath while driving a vehicle within this
state;
(2) has caused bodily injury to a human being as
a result of the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle while driving under the
influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs; or
(3) refused to submit to chemical testing, as
provided for in the Implied Consent Act, and in the judgment of the court,
based upon evidence of intoxication presented to the court, was under the
influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
E. A person under first conviction pursuant to
this section shall be punished, notwithstanding the provisions of Section
31-18-13 NMSA 1978, by imprisonment for not more than ninety days or by a fine
of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both; provided that if the
sentence is suspended in whole or in part or deferred, the period of probation
may extend beyond ninety days but shall not exceed one year. Upon a first conviction pursuant to this
section, an offender may be sentenced to not less than forty-eight hours of
community service or a fine of three hundred dollars ($300). The offender shall be ordered by the court to
participate in and complete a screening program described in Subsection K of
this section and to attend a driver rehabilitation program for alcohol or
drugs, also known as a "DWI school", approved by the bureau and also
may be required to participate in other rehabilitative services as the court
shall determine to be necessary. In
addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving while
under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be
sentenced to not less than forty-eight consecutive hours in jail. If an offender fails to complete, within a
time specified by the court, any community service, screening program,
treatment program or DWI school ordered by the court, the offender shall be
sentenced to not less than an additional forty-eight consecutive hours in
jail. Any jail sentence imposed pursuant
to this subsection for failure to complete, within a time specified by the
court, any community service, screening program, treatment program or DWI
school ordered by the court or for aggravated driving while under the influence
of intoxicating liquor or drugs shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under
advisement. On a first conviction
pursuant to this section, any time spent in jail for the offense prior to the
conviction for that offense shall be credited to any term of imprisonment fixed
by the court. A deferred sentence
pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a first conviction for the
purpose of determining subsequent convictions.
F. A second or third conviction pursuant to this
section shall be punished, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-13
NMSA 1978, by imprisonment for not more than three hundred sixty-four days or
by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both; provided
that if the sentence is suspended in whole or in part, the period of probation
may extend beyond one year but shall not exceed five years. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the
contrary for suspension or deferment of execution of a sentence:
(1) upon a second conviction, an offender shall
be sentenced to a jail term of not less than ninety-six consecutive hours,
forty-eight hours of community service and a fine of five hundred dollars
($500). In addition to those penalties,
when an offender commits aggravated driving while under the influence of
intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of
not less than ninety-six consecutive hours.
If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court,
a community service program, a screening program or a treatment program ordered
by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional
seven consecutive days in jail. A
penalty imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be suspended or deferred
or taken under advisement; and
(2) upon a third conviction, an offender shall be
sentenced to a jail term of not less than thirty consecutive days and a fine of
seven hundred fifty dollars ($750). In
addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving while
under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be
sentenced to a jail term of not less than sixty consecutive days. If an offender fails to complete, within a
time specified by the court, a screening program or a treatment program ordered
by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional
sixty consecutive days in jail. A
penalty imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be suspended or deferred
or taken under advisement.
G. Upon a fourth conviction pursuant to this
section, an offender is guilty of a fourth degree felony and, notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, shall be sentenced to a term of
imprisonment of eighteen months, six months of which shall not be suspended or
deferred or taken under advisement.
H. Upon a fifth conviction pursuant to this
section, an offender is guilty of a fourth degree felony and, notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, shall be sentenced to a term of
imprisonment of two years, one year of which shall not be suspended, deferred
or taken under advisement.
I. Upon a sixth conviction pursuant to this
section, an offender is guilty of a third degree felony and, notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, shall be sentenced to a term of
imprisonment of thirty months, eighteen months of which shall not be suspended,
deferred or taken under advisement.
J. Upon a seventh or subsequent conviction
pursuant to this section, an offender is guilty of a third degree felony and,
notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, shall be
sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three years, two years of which shall
not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.
K. Upon any conviction pursuant to this section,
an offender shall be required to participate in and complete, within a time
specified by the court, an alcohol or drug abuse screening program approved by
the department of finance and administration and, if necessary, a treatment
program approved by the court. The
requirement imposed pursuant to this subsection shall not be suspended,
deferred or taken under advisement.
L. Upon a second or third conviction pursuant to
this section, an offender shall be required to participate in and complete,
within a time specified by the court, not less than a twenty-eight-day
inpatient, residential or in-custody substance abuse treatment program approved
by the court, not less than a ninety-day outpatient treatment program approved
by the court or a drug court program approved by the court. The requirement imposed pursuant to this
subsection shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.
M. Upon a felony conviction pursuant to this
section, the corrections department shall provide substance abuse counseling
and treatment to the offender.
N. Upon a first conviction for aggravated
driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs pursuant to
the provisions of Subsection D of this section, as a condition of probation, an
offender shall be required to have an ignition interlock device installed and
operating for a period of one year on all motor vehicles driven by the
offender, pursuant to rules adopted by the bureau. Unless determined by the sentencing court to
be indigent, the offender shall pay all costs associated with having an
ignition interlock device installed on the appropriate motor vehicles. If an offender drives a motor vehicle that
does not have an ignition interlock device installed on the motor vehicle, the
offender may be in violation of the terms and conditions of his probation.
O. Upon a first conviction for driving while
under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs pursuant to the provisions
of Subsection A, B or C of this section, as a condition of probation, an
offender may be required to have an ignition interlock device installed and
operating for a period of one year on all motor vehicles driven by the
offender, pursuant to rules adopted by the bureau. Unless determined by the sentencing court to
be indigent, the offender shall pay all costs associated with having an
ignition interlock device installed on the appropriate motor vehicles. If an offender drives a motor vehicle that
does not have an ignition interlock device installed on the motor vehicle, the
offender may be in violation of the terms and conditions of his probation.
P. Upon any subsequent conviction pursuant to
this section, as a condition of probation, a subsequent offender shall be
required to have an ignition interlock device installed and operating for a
period of at least one year on all motor vehicles driven by the subsequent
offender, pursuant to rules adopted by the bureau. Unless determined by the sentencing court to
be indigent, the subsequent offender shall pay all costs associated with having
an ignition interlock device installed on the appropriate motor vehicles. If a subsequent offender drives a motor
vehicle that does not have an ignition interlock device installed on the motor
vehicle, the subsequent offender may be in violation of the terms and
conditions of his probation.
Q. In the case of a first, second or third
offense under this section, the magistrate court has concurrent jurisdiction
with district courts to try the offender.
R. A conviction pursuant to a municipal or
county ordinance in New Mexico or a law of any other jurisdiction, territory or
possession of the United States that is equivalent to New Mexico law for
driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, and that
prescribes penalties for driving while under the influence of intoxicating
liquor or drugs, shall be deemed to be a conviction pursuant to this section
for purposes of determining whether a conviction is a second or subsequent
conviction.
S. In addition to any other fine or fee that may
be imposed pursuant to the conviction or other disposition of the offense under
this section, the court may order the offender to pay the costs of any
court-ordered screening and treatment programs.
T. As used in this section:
(1) "bodily injury" means an injury to
a person that is not likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the person,
but does cause painful temporary disfigurement or temporary loss or impairment
of the functions of any member or organ of the person's body; and
(2) "conviction" means an adjudication
of guilt and does not include imposition of a sentence."
Section 4. Section 66-8-102.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws
1982, Chapter 102, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:
"66-8-102.1. GUILTY PLEAS--LIMITATIONS.--Where the
complaint or information alleges a violation of Section 66‑8‑102
NMSA 1978, any plea of guilty thereafter entered in satisfaction of the charges
shall include at least a plea of guilty to the violation of one of the
subsections of Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978, and no other disposition by plea of
guilty to any other charge in satisfaction of the charge shall be authorized if
the results of a test performed pursuant to the Implied Consent Act disclose
that the blood or breath of the person charged contains an alcohol
concentration of:
A. eight one hundredths or more; or
B. four one hundredths or more if the person
charged is driving a commercial motor vehicle."
Section 5. Section 66-8-110 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,
Chapter 35, Section 518, as amended) is amended to read:
"66-8-110. USE OF TESTS IN CRIMINAL ACTIONS OR CIVIL
ACTIONS--LEVELS OF INTOXICATION--MANDATORY CHARGING.--
A. The results of a test performed pursuant to
the Implied Consent Act may be introduced into evidence in any civil action or
criminal action arising out of the acts alleged to have been committed by the
person tested for driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of
intoxicating liquor or drugs.
B. When the blood or breath of the person tested
contains:
(1) an alcohol concentration of less than four
one hundredths, it shall be presumed that the person was not under the
influence of intoxicating liquor;
(2) an alcohol concentration of at least four one
hundredths but less than eight one hundredths:
(a) no presumption shall be made that the person
either was or was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor, unless the
person is driving a commercial motor vehicle; and
(b) the amount of alcohol in the person's blood
may be considered with other competent evidence in determining whether the
person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor; or
(3) an alcohol concentration of four one
hundredths or more and the person is driving a commercial vehicle, it shall be
presumed that the person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
C. The arresting officer shall charge the person
tested with a violation of Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978 when the blood or breath
of the person contains an alcohol concentration of:
(1) eight one hundredths or more; or
(2) four one hundredths or more if the person is
driving a commercial motor vehicle.
D. When a person is less than twenty-one years
of age and the blood or breath of the person contains an alcohol concentration
of two one hundredths or more, the person's driving privileges shall be revoked
pursuant to the provisions of the Implied Consent Act.
E. The determination of alcohol concentration
shall be based on the grams of alcohol in one hundred milliliters of blood or
the grams of alcohol in two hundred ten liters of breath.
F. The presumptions in Subsection B of this
section do not limit the introduction of other competent evidence concerning
whether the person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
G. If a person is convicted of driving a motor
vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, the trial judge shall
be required to inquire into the past driving record of the person before
sentence is entered in the matter."
Section 6. Section 66-8-111 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,
Chapter 35, Section 519, as amended) is amended to read:
"66-8-111. REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO CHEMICAL
TESTS--TESTING--GROUNDS FOR REVOCATION OF LICENSE OR PRIVILEGE TO DRIVE.--
A. If a person under arrest for violation of an
offense enumerated in the Motor Vehicle Code refuses upon request of a law
enforcement officer to submit to chemical tests designated by the law
enforcement agency as provided in Section 66-8-107 NMSA 1978, none shall be
administered except when a municipal judge, magistrate or district judge issues
a search warrant authorizing chemical tests as provided in Section 66-8-107
NMSA 1978 upon his finding in a law enforcement officer's written affidavit
that there is probable cause to believe that the person has driven a motor
vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, thereby
causing the death or great bodily injury of another person, or there is
probable cause to believe that the person has committed a felony while under
the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and that chemical tests as
provided in Section 66-8-107 NMSA 1978 will produce material evidence in a
felony prosecution.
B. The department, upon receipt of a statement
signed under penalty of perjury from a law enforcement officer stating the
officer's reasonable grounds to believe the arrested person had been driving a
motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating
liquor or drugs and that, upon his request, the person refused to submit to a
chemical test after being advised that failure to submit could result in
revocation of his privilege to drive, shall revoke the person's New Mexico driver's
license or any nonresident operating privilege for a period of one year or
until all conditions for license reinstatement are met, whichever is later.
C. The department, upon receipt of a statement
signed under penalty of perjury from a law enforcement officer stating the
officer's reasonable grounds to believe the arrested person had been driving a
motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating
liquor and that the person submitted to chemical testing pursuant to Section 66-8-107
NMSA 1978 and the test results indicated an alcohol concentration in the
person's blood or breath of eight one hundredths or more if the person is
twenty-one years of age or older, four one hundredths or more if the person is
driving a commercial motor vehicle or two one hundredths or more if the person
is less than twenty-one years of age, shall revoke the person's license or
permit to drive or his nonresident operating privilege for a period of:
(1) ninety days or until all conditions for
license reinstatement are met, whichever is later, if the person is twenty-one
years of age or older;
(2) six months or until all conditions for
license reinstatement are met, whichever is later, if the person is less than
twenty-one years of age and has not previously had his license revoked pursuant
to the provisions of this section, notwithstanding any provision of the
Children's Code; or
(3) one year or until all conditions for license
reinstatement are met, whichever is later, if the person has previously had his
license revoked pursuant to the provisions of this section, notwithstanding the
provisions of Paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection or any provision of the
Children's Code.
D. The determination of alcohol concentration
shall be based on the grams of alcohol in one hundred milliliters of blood or
the grams of alcohol in two hundred ten liters of breath.
E. If the person subject to the revocation
provisions of this section is a resident or will become a resident within one
year and is without a license to operate a motor vehicle in this state, the
department shall deny the issuance of a license to him for the appropriate
period of time as provided in Subsections B and C of this section.
F. A statement signed by a law enforcement
officer, pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B or C of this section, shall
be sworn to by the officer or shall contain a declaration substantially to the
effect: "I hereby declare under
penalty of perjury that the information given in this statement is true and
correct to the best of my knowledge.".
A law enforcement officer who signs a statement, knowing that the
statement is untrue in any material issue or matter, is guilty of perjury as
provided in Section 66-5-38 NMSA 1978."
Section 7. Section 66-8-111.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws
1984, Chapter 72, Section 7, as amended) is amended to read:
"66-8-111.1. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AGENT FOR
DEPARTMENT--WRITTEN NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RIGHT TO HEARING.--On behalf of
the department, a law enforcement officer requesting a chemical test or
directing the administration of a chemical test pursuant to Section 66-8-107
NMSA 1978 shall serve immediate written notice of revocation and of right to a
hearing on a person who refuses to permit chemical testing or on a person who
submits to a chemical test the results of which indicate an alcohol
concentration in the person's blood or breath of eight one hundredths or more
if the person is twenty-one years of age or older, four one hundredths or more
if the person is driving a commercial motor vehicle or two one hundredths or
more if the person is less than twenty-one years of age. Upon serving notice of revocation, the law
enforcement officer shall take the license or permit of the driver, if any, and
issue a temporary license valid for twenty days or, if the driver requests a
hearing pursuant to Section 66-8-112 NMSA 1978, valid until the date the
department issues the order following that hearing; provided that a temporary
license shall not be issued to a driver without a valid license or permit. The law enforcement officer shall send the
person's driver's license to the department along with the signed statement
required pursuant to Section 66-8-111 NMSA 1978."
Section 8. Section 66-8-112 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978,
Chapter 35, Section 520, as amended) is amended to read:
"66-8-112. REVOCATION OF LICENSE OR PRIVILEGE TO DRIVE‑‑NOTICE--EFFECTIVE
DATE--HEARING--HEARING COSTS--REVIEW.--
A. The effective date of revocation pursuant to
Section 66-8-111 NMSA 1978 is twenty days after notice of revocation or, if the
person whose driver's license or privilege to drive is being revoked or denied
requests a hearing pursuant to this section, the date that the department
issues the order following that hearing.
The date of notice of revocation is:
(1) the date the law enforcement officer serves
written notice of revocation and of right to a hearing pursuant to Section
66-8-111.1 NMSA 1978; or
(2) in the event the results of a chemical test
cannot be obtained immediately, the date notice of revocation is served by mail
by the department. This notice of
revocation and of right to a hearing shall be sent by certified mail and shall
be deemed to have been served on the date borne by the return receipt showing
delivery, refusal of the addressee to accept delivery or attempted delivery of
the notice at the address obtained by the arresting law enforcement officer or
on file with the department.
B. Within ten days after receipt of notice of
revocation pursuant to Subsection A of this section, a person whose license or
privilege to drive is revoked or denied or the person's agent may request a
hearing. The hearing request shall be
made in writing and shall be accompanied by a payment of twenty-five dollars
($25.00) or a sworn statement of indigency on a form provided by the
department. A standard for indigency shall
be established pursuant to regulations adopted by the department. Failure to request a hearing within ten days
shall result in forfeiture of the person's right to a hearing. Any person less than eighteen years of age
who fails to request a hearing within ten days shall have notice of revocation
sent to his parent, guardian or custodian by the department. A date for the hearing shall be set by the
department, if practical, within thirty days after receipt of notice of
revocation. The hearing shall be held in
the county in which the offense for which the person was arrested took place.
C. The department may postpone or continue any
hearing on its own motion or upon application from the person and for good
cause shown for a period not to exceed ninety days from the date of notice of
revocation and provided that the department extends the validity of the
temporary license for the period of the postponement or continuation.
D. At the hearing, the department or its agent
may administer oaths and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses
and the production of relevant books and papers.
E. The hearing shall be limited to the issues:
(1) whether the law enforcement officer had
reasonable grounds to believe that the person had been driving a motor vehicle
within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs;
(2) whether the person was arrested;
(3) whether this hearing is held no later than
ninety days after notice of revocation; and either
(4) whether:
(a) the person refused to submit to a test upon
request of the law enforcement officer; and
(b) the law enforcement officer advised that the
failure to submit to a test could result in revocation of the person's
privilege to drive; or
(5) whether:
(a) the chemical test was administered pursuant
to the provisions of the Implied Consent Act; and
(b) the test results indicated an alcohol
concentration in the person's blood or breath of eight one hundredths or more
if the person is twenty-one years of age or older, four one hundredths or more
if the person is driving a commercial motor vehicle or two one hundredths or
more if the person is less than twenty-one years of age.
F. The department shall enter an order
sustaining the revocation or denial of the person's license or privilege to
drive if the department finds that:
(1) the law enforcement officer had reasonable
grounds to believe the driver was driving a motor vehicle while under the
influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs;
(2) the person was arrested;
(3) this hearing is held no later than ninety
days after notice of revocation; and
(4) either:
(a) the person refused to submit to the test upon
request of the law enforcement officer after the law enforcement officer
advised him that his failure to submit to the test could result in the
revocation of his privilege to drive; or
(b) that a chemical test was administered
pursuant to the provisions of the Implied Consent Act and the test results
indicated an alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath of eight one
hundredths or more if the person is twenty-one years of age or older, four one
hundredths or more if the person is driving a commercial motor vehicle or two one
hundredths or more if the person is less than twenty-one years of age.
G. If one or more of the elements set forth in
Paragraphs (1) through (4) of Subsection F of this section are not found by the
department, the person's license shall not be revoked.
H. A person adversely affected by an order of
the department may seek review within thirty days in the district court in the
county in which the offense for which the person was arrested took place. The district court, upon thirty days' written
notice to the department, shall hear the case.
On review, it is for the court to determine only whether reasonable
grounds exist for revocation or denial of the person's license or privilege to
drive based on the record of the administrative proceeding.
I. Any person less than eighteen years of age
shall have results of his hearing forwarded by the department to his parent,
guardian or custodian."
Section 9. REPEAL.--Section 66-5-68.1 NMSA 1978 (being
Laws 1992, Chapter 13, Section 9) is repealed.
Section 10. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public
peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.
HJC/HB 117
Page 22