N.M. Stat. § 31-18-15.3
Serious youthful offender; disposition.
A. An alleged serious youthful offender may be detained in any of the following
places, prior to arraignment in metropolitan, magistrate or district court:
(1)
a detention facility for delinquent children, licensed by the children, youth
and families department;
(2)
any other suitable place, other than a facility for the care and rehabilitation
of delinquent children, that meets standards for detention facilities, as set forth in the
Children's Code [Chapter 32A NMSA 1978] and federal law; or
(3)
a county jail, if a facility described in Paragraph (1) or (2) of this
subsection is not appropriate.
B. When an alleged serious youthful offender is detained in a juvenile detention
facility prior to trial, the time spent in the juvenile detention facility shall count toward
completion of any sentence imposed.
C. At arraignment, when a metropolitan or district court judge or a magistrate
determines that an alleged serious youthful offender should remain in custody, the
alleged serious youthful offender may be detained in an adult or juvenile detention
facility, subject to the facility's accreditation and the provisions of applicable federal law.
D. When an alleged serious youthful offender is found guilty of first degree murder,
the court shall sentence the offender pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal
Sentencing Act; provided that a serious youthful offender given an adult sentence shall
not be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of release or parole. The
court may sentence the offender to less than, but not exceeding, the mandatory term for
an adult. The determination of guilt becomes a conviction for purposes of the Criminal
Sentencing Act.
E. Prior to the sentencing of an alleged serious youthful offender who is convicted of
first degree murder, adult probation services shall prepare a presentence report and
submit the report to the court and the parties five days prior to the sentencing hearing.
F. When the alleged serious youthful offender is convicted of a lesser offense than
first degree murder, the court shall provide for disposition of the offender pursuant to the
provisions of Section 32A-2-19 or 32A-2-20 NMSA 1978. When an offender is
adjudicated as a delinquent child, the conviction shall not be used as a conviction for
purposes of the Criminal Sentencing Act.