New Mexico § 31-1-2 - Definitions

§ 31-1-2. Definitions

Unless a specific meaning is given, as used in the Criminal Procedure Act: A. “ accused ” means any person charged with the violation of any law of this state imposing a

criminal penalty; B. “ bail bond ” is a contract between surety and the state to the effect that the accused and the

surety will appear in court when required and will comply with all conditions of the

bond; C. “ defendant ” means any person accused of a violation of any law of this state imposing a criminal

penalty; D. “ felony ” means any crime so designated by law or if upon conviction thereof a sentence of

death or of imprisonment for a term of one year or more is authorized; E. “ person ”, unless a contrary intention appears, means any individual, estate, trust, receiver,

cooperative association, club, corporation, company, firm, partnership, joint venture,

syndicate or other entity; F. “ police officer ”, “ law enforcement officer ”, “ peace officer ” or “ officer ” means any full-time salaried or certified part-time salaried officer who by virtue

of office or public employment is vested by law with the duty to maintain the public

peace; G. “ recognizance ” means any obligation of record entered into before a court requiring the accused

to appear at all appropriate times or forfeit any bail and be subject to criminal

penalty for failure to appear; H. “ release on personal recognizance ” or “ release on own recognizance ” means the release of a defendant without bail, bail bond or sureties upon the defendant's

promise to appear at all appropriate times; I. “ rules of civil procedure ” means rules of civil procedure for the district courts of the state of New Mexico,

as may be amended from time to time; J. “ rules of criminal procedure ” means rules of criminal procedure for the district courts, magistrate courts and

municipal courts adopted by the New Mexico supreme court, as may be amended from time

to time; K. “ misdemeanor ” means any offense for which the authorized penalty upon conviction is imprisonment

in excess of six months but less than one year; and L. “ petty misdemeanor ” means any offense so designated by law or if upon conviction a sentence of imprisonment

for six months or less is authorized.