It is a way to have an attorney from the City Attorney’s Office, who has been appointed by the District Attorney’s Office as a Special Prosecutor for traffic cases, review your case to see if you can reach an agreement without you having to come to Court. The City Attorney is not a Court employee. The City Attorney will make recommendations about your case using the same considerations as it would if you appeared in person or by mailing in a plea form. The offer the City Attorney extends through this website is the same offer that you would receive from the City Attorney in Court. It simply takes place through this website. If you and the City Attorney reach an agreement about your traffic citations, then the City Attorney will send the agreement to the Judge so the Judge can review it and decide if the Judge also approves the agreement.
You have the right to have a trial. So, if you want a trial or if you do not want to admit guilt or enter into a plea agreement, just tell the City Attorney, and your case will be set for a trial before the Judge. This program is just an opportunity for you and the City Attorney to see if you can come to an agreement on your case instead of a trial in front of the Judge.
Yes, it you want to speak with an attorney before you enter into a Plea Agreement, tell the City Attorney, and you will be given time to obtain an attorney. If you cannot afford to pay for an attorney, you can apply for a Public Defender by calling (505) 369-3600 or visiting https://www.lopdnm.us for more information. If you want to plead guilty, you may want to seek the assistance and advice of an attorney before doing so, because pleading guilty to some charges may affect your driver’s license and driving record, especially if you hold a commercial driver’s license.
The Court is required by law to report information about cases involving motor vehicles to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department (“MVD”), and MVD can take action with respect to your driver's license based on the information that the Court reports. If you have questions about your driver's license, please contact MVD toll free at 888-683-4636 or 888-MVD-INFO.
See the Notice to the Public: Metropolitan Court Fees and Costs Schedule
Some traffic violations have set fine amounts. See the List of those State Statute Charges that have a set fine amount effective as of July 1, 2019. https://metro.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2020/12/List-of-those-State-Statute-Charges-that-have-a-Set-Fine-Amount-effective-July-1-2019-HB-4271.pdf
Yes, you can perform hours of community service in payment of fines, fees, and costs you may owe to the Court, which hours are calculated at the Federal minimum wage rate. Contact the Court’s Customer Service Division at (505) 841-8151 for a list of Community Service Agencies.
It is quick. You can plead guilty, be sentenced, and pay your fines, fees and costs without having a trial before the Judge.
If you resolve your citation online, you will be making an agreement in lieu of trial. The agreement will be made between you and the City Attorney and approved by the Judge without appearing in Court.
You submit a request to the City Attorney with a statement about what happened and evidence. The City Attorney will review your case and contact you if you are eligible. If you are eligible the City Attorney will make you an offer to review and sign. Everything is done online, so you do not have to travel to the courthouse or appear before the Judge for a virtual trial.
No. However, you will be responsible for any fines, fees, or Court costs for your case.
Because it is a quick and efficient way for you to possibly settle your case with the City Attorney.
Seven (7) calendar days.
If your matter cannot be handled online, then your case will be set for a virtual trial (by Audio-Visual means) before the Judge.
