N.M. Stat. § 66-8-137
Compensation of judges and officers; defenses to
prosecution.
A. No municipality or other political subdivision of this state shall employ any
municipal judge, officer, agent or other person whose compensation in any way
depends upon the apprehension, arrest or conviction of any person for violating the
Motor Vehicle Code [66-1-1 NMSA 1978] or other state or local law, ordinance or
regulation.
B. If any person is arrested or brought to trial for violation of the Motor Vehicle Code
or other law, ordinance or regulation relating to motor vehicles punishable as a
misdemeanor by any officer, agent or employee of any political subdivision, or before
any municipal judge, whose compensation depends in any way upon the arrest or
conviction of persons violating these laws, ordinances or regulations, the fact of such
compensation or that the person making the arrest was not in uniform at the time is a
defense to the charge.