N.M. Stat. § 43-2-8
Protective custody.
A. An intoxicated or incapacitated person may be committed to a treatment facility
at the request of an authorized person for protective custody, if the authorized person
has probable cause to believe that the person to be committed:
(1)
is disorderly in a public place;
(2)
is unable to care for the person's own safety;
(3)
has threatened, attempted or inflicted physical harm on himself or another;
(4)
has threatened, attempted or inflicted damage to the property of another;
(5)
is likely to inflict serious physical harm on himself;
(6)
is likely to inflict serious physical harm on another; or
(7)
is incapacitated by alcohol or drugs.
A refusal to undergo treatment does not constitute conclusive evidence of lack of
judgment as to the need for treatment.
B. An authorized person shall make a written application for commitment under this
section, directed to the administration of the treatment facility. The application shall
state facts in support of the need for protective custody.
C. Upon approval of the form of the application by the administration in charge of
the treatment facility, the person shall be retained at the facility to which the person was
admitted or transferred to another appropriate treatment facility until discharged under
Subsection E of this section.
D. The administration in charge of a treatment facility may refuse an application if
the treatment facility is at its relevant capacity or if the person to be committed is
deemed too ill, injured, disruptive or dangerous to himself or another to be managed at
the treatment facility.
E. An intoxicated person transported to a treatment facility pursuant to this
subsection shall not be detained at the facility:
(1)
once the person's blood or breath alcohol concentration level is zero, if
alcohol-impaired, and there is no probable cause to believe the person remains at risk
of physical harm to himself or another; or
(2)
for more than seventy-two hours after admission, absent pendency of a
petition filed pursuant to Section 43-2-9 NMSA 1978.
F. An intoxicated person held in protective custody pursuant to the Detoxification
Reform Act shall not be considered to have been arrested or charged with any crime.
G. A record of protective custody shall not be considered as an arrest or criminal
record.
H. A copy of the written application for commitment and a written explanation of the
person's right to contact counsel shall be given by the administration to the person as
soon as practicable after commitment. The administration of the treatment facility shall
arrange translation of the application and explanation of rights for those who are unable
to read the same. The administration shall also provide a reasonable opportunity for the
person to contact counsel.