Rule 5-827 NMRA
Rule 5-827. De novo appeals from metropolitan court to district court.
A. Right of appeal. A party who is aggrieved by the judgment or final order of the
metropolitan court in a criminal action that does not involve driving while under the
influence or domestic violence offenses may appeal, as permitted by law, to the district
court of the county within which the metropolitan court is located. Appeals from the
metropolitan court to the district court shall be de novo. The notice of appeal shall be
filed in the district court within fifteen (15) days after the judgment or final order
appealed from is filed in the metropolitan court clerk’s office. The three (3)-day mailing
period set forth in Rule 7-104 NMRA does not apply to the time limits set forth above. A
notice of appeal filed after the announcement of a decision or return of the verdict, but
before the judgment or order is filed in the metropolitan court clerk’s office, shall be
treated as timely filed and shall become effective when the judgment or order appealed
from is filed in the metropolitan court clerk’s office. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this rule, no docket fee or other cost shall be imposed against the state or its political
subdivisions or against a defendant who is represented by a public defender or court
appointed counsel.
B. Notice of appeal. An appeal from the metropolitan court is taken by
(1)
filing with the clerk of the district court a notice of appeal with proof of
service; and
(2)
promptly filing with the metropolitan court
(a) a copy of the notice of appeal which has been endorsed by the clerk of
the district court; and
(b) a copy of the receipt of payment of the docket fee, unless the appeal has
been filed by the state, a political subdivision of the state, or by a defendant represented
by a public defender or court appointed counsel.
C. Content of the notice of appeal. The notice of appeal shall be substantially in
the form approved by the Supreme Court.
D. Service of notice of appeal. At the time the notice of appeal is filed in the
district court, the appellant shall
(1)
serve each party or each party’s attorney in the proceedings in the
metropolitan court with a copy of the notice of appeal in accordance with Rule 5-103
NMRA; and
(2)
file proof of service with the clerk of the district court that a copy of the
notice of appeal has been served in accordance with Rule 5-103 NMRA.
E. Docketing the appeal. On the filing of the notice of appeal and proof of service
and payment of the docket fee, if required, the clerk of the district court shall docket the
appeal in the district court.
F. Record on appeal. Within fifteen (15) days after the appellant files a copy of the
notice of appeal in the metropolitan court under Paragraph B of this rule, the
metropolitan court shall file with the clerk of the district court a copy of the record on
appeal taken in the action in the metropolitan court.
(1)
For purposes of this rule, the record on appeal shall consist of the
following:
(a) a title page containing the caption of the case in the metropolitan court
and the names and mailing addresses of each party or, if the party is represented by
counsel, the name and address of the attorney;
(b) a copy of all papers and pleadings filed in the metropolitan court;
(c) a copy of the judgment or final order sought to be reviewed with date of
filing;
(d) any exhibits; and
(e) a duplicate of the audio record of the proceedings and that record’s index
log.
(2)
The metropolitan court clerk shall give prompt notice to all parties of the
filing of the record on appeal with the district court.
(3)
Any party desiring a copy of the record on appeal shall be responsible for
the cost of preparing the copy.
G. Correction or modification of the record. If anything material to either party is
omitted from the record on appeal by error or accident, the parties by stipulation, or the
metropolitan court or the district court, on proper suggestion or on its own initiative, may
direct that the omission be corrected and a supplemental record sent to the district
court.
H. Conditions of release. If the metropolitan court sets an appeal bond under Rule
7-703 NMRA on filing of the notice of appeal, the appeal bond shall be transferred to the
district court pending disposition of the appeal. The district court shall dispose of all
matters relating to the appeal bond until remand to the metropolitan court.
I. Review of terms of release. If the metropolitan court has refused release
pending appeal or has imposed conditions of release which the defendant cannot meet,
the defendant may file a petition for release with the clerk of the district court at any time
after the filing of the notice of appeal. A copy of the petition for release, which has been
endorsed by the clerk of the district court, shall be filed with the metropolitan court. If the
district court releases the defendant on appeal, a copy of the order of release shall be
filed in the metropolitan court.
J. Transfer. When a party files an appeal with the district court that the district court
determines should have been filed as an on-record appeal in the Court of Appeals, the
district court shall enter an order of transfer to the Court of Appeals explaining why the
district court believes transfer is appropriate, and give prompt notice to the parties. The
Court of Appeals will review the district court’s transfer order in accordance with Rule
12-609(E) NMRA.
K. Disposal of appeals. The district court shall dispose of appeals by entry of a
judgment and sentence or other final order. The court in its discretion may accompany
the judgment or order with a formal or memorandum opinion. Opinions shall not be
published and shall not be used as precedent in subsequent cases. A mandate shall be
issued by the district court on expiration of whichever of the following events occurs
latest:
(1)
fifteen (15) days after entry of the order disposing of the case;
(2)
fifteen (15) days after disposition of a motion for rehearing; or
(3)
if a notice of appeal is filed, on final disposition of the appeal.
L. Remand. On expiration of the time for appeal from the final order or judgment of
the district court, the district court shall remand the case to the metropolitan court for
enforcement of the district court’s judgment, and the metropolitan court shall enforce the
mandate of the district court.
M. Appeal. An aggrieved party may appeal from a judgment of the district court to
the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals, as authorized by law, in accordance with the
Rules of Appellate Procedure. The conditions of release and bond approved or
continued in effect by the district court during the pendency of the appeal to the district
court shall continue in effect pending appeal to the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals,
unless modified under Rule 12-205 NMRA.
N. Transmittal of the judgment and sentence or final order. After final
determination of the appeal, the clerk of the district court shall send a copy of the
judgment and sentence or final order to the metropolitan court clerk.