New Mexico § 29-3-8 - Biometric identifying information of persons arrested; state arrest records; disposition

Full text of New Mexico New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 29-3-8 — Biometric identifying information of persons arrested; state arrest records; disposition, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 29-3-8. Biometric identifying information of persons arrested; state arrest records; disposition

A. A booking facility shall electronically collect biometric identifying information

from a person arrested for the following crimes prior to the person's release: (1) the commission of a criminal offense amounting to a felony; (2) the commission of a criminal offense not amounting to a felony but punishable

by imprisonment for more than six months under the laws of the state or a political

subdivision of the state; or (3) the violation of a provision of Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978 or the violation of a municipal or county ordinance prescribing criminal penalties

for driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. B. Biometric identifying information shall be obtained each time a person is arrested. C. At the time biometric identifying information is collected, the booking facility

shall create an arrest record with a state arrest tracking number provided by the

department. The arrest record shall include: (1) the date of arrest; (2) the state arrest tracking number assigned to the arrest record; (3) the state personal identification number assigned to the arrestee by the department; (4) the arrestee's biometric identifying information; and (5) a completed description with charge code of each offense charged. D. The department shall promulgate rules addressing: (1) collection of biometric identifying information; (2) submission of biometric identifying information; (3) creation of a state personal identification number system to identify a person

arrested and charged with a crime and ensure that the same state personal identification

number is assigned to the person regardless of the number of times the person is arrested

or the location of the arrest within the state; and (4) creation of a state arrest tracking number system for each arrest record. E. At booking, the booking facility shall immediately forward the arrest record and

any other information required by department rule to the department. F. The department shall immediately provide the: (1) biometric identifying information to the federal bureau of investigation in Washington,

D.C.; (2) state personal identification number to agencies at all levels of government that

are engaged in the apprehension, prosecution or defense, adjudication, incarceration

or rehabilitation of criminal offenders; and (3) arrest record to the administrative office of the district attorneys for submission

to the appropriate prosecuting authority. G. Biometric identifying information shall be collected from an inmate who is charged

with a felony or misdemeanor offense while incarcerated, and the jail or corrections

facility shall forward the offender's biometric identifying information to the department. H. The administrative office of the courts shall provide to the department the disposition

of all criminal cases assigned a state arrest tracking number. The disposition shall be provided in electronic format, promptly upon the conclusion

of the case. I. The administrative office of the district attorneys shall provide to the department

the disposition of all criminal cases assigned a state arrest tracking number when

the district attorney decides not to file charges in the case. The disposition shall be provided in electronic format promptly upon a district

attorney's decision not to file charges in the case. J. The department shall forward the disposition of all criminal cases to the federal

bureau of investigation and the national crime information center within five business

days of receipt. K. Law enforcement agencies, the administrative office of the courts and the administrative

office of the district attorneys shall allow the department access to their records

for the purpose of auditing those records to ensure compliance with the provisions

of this section. L. As used in this section: (1) “ biometric identifying information ” means physical characteristics used in verifying the identity of an individual,

including photographs, fingerprint impressions and palm print impressions; (2) “ booking facility ” means a jail, police station, sheriff's office or other place of detention; (3) “ charge code ” means the unique code assigned to the crime from the master charge code table distributed

by the New Mexico justice information sharing council; (4) “ state arrest tracking number ” means an incident-based unique number assigned to the arrest; and (5) “ state personal identification number ” means a unique number assigned to the arrestee based on the arrestee's biometric

identifying information.

Source: official New Mexico text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About New Mexico § 29-3-8

What does New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 29-3-8 cover?

Section 29-3-8 ("Biometric identifying information of persons arrested; state arrest records; disposition") is part of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated, the codified statutory law of New Mexico. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New Mexico § 29-3-8?

A common citation format is "New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 29-3-8" (New Mexico). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of New Mexico law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Mexico official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Mexico attorney.

How does New Mexico § 29-3-8 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Mexico can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Mexico.