Rule 5-302.1 NMRA
Rule 5-302.1. Exceptions to rules of evidence for preliminary examinations.
A. Exceptions to hearsay rule. In any preliminary examination, the following
categories of evidence are not excluded by the rule against hearsay, regardless of
whether the declarant is available as a witness:
(1)
a recording or transcript of a forensic interview of a minor or incompetent
victim conducted at a safe house; or
(2)
a written report of the conduct and results of a laboratory analysis of a
human specimen or a controlled substance enumerated in Sections 30-31-6 to -10
NMSA 1978, for determining the presence and quantity or absence of a controlled
substance and the circumstances surrounding receipt and custody of the test sample, or
a written report of the conduct and results of an autopsy for determining the fact and
cause of death and the circumstances surrounding receipt and custody of the decedent,
if the report is of an analysis conducted by
(a) the New Mexico State Police crime laboratory;
(b) the scientific laboratory division of the Department of Health;
(c) the Office of the Medical Investigator; or
(d) a laboratory certified to accept human specimens for the purpose of
performing laboratory examinations under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement
Act of 1988.
B. Exception to authentication rule. In any preliminary examination, a proffer by
counsel is sufficient to meet the authentication and identification requirements of Rule
11-901(A) NMRA with regard to a recording or transcript of a 911 emergency call or a
transcript of the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) incident report.
C. Exception for controlled substance field tests. In any preliminary
examination, the results of a field test conducted for the detection of controlled illegal
substances shall not be excluded based on objections to the scientific accuracy or
reliability of the field test.
D. Certification. Evidence admitted under the exceptions established by
Subparagraph (A)(2) of this rule must include a certification form approved by the
Supreme Court.
E. Copies. A legible copy of the certification form and report must be mailed to the
defendant or the defendant’s counsel at least four (4) days before the preliminary
examination if the defendant is in custody and at least ten (10) days before the
preliminary hearing if the defendant is not in custody.
F. Admissibility of other evidence. Nothing in this rule shall limit the right of a
party to call witnesses to testify as to the matters covered in this report, nor affect the
admissibility of any evidence other than this report.