New Mexico § 38-6-8 - Witnesses with developmental or intellectual disability; competency evaluation

§ 38-6-8. Witnesses with developmental or intellectual disability; competency evaluation

A. As used in this section: (1) “ witness with a developmental or intellectual disability ” means a witness in a proceeding whom the court has found after hearing, as provided

in Subsection B of this section, to have a developmental or intellectual disability;

and (2) “ developmental or intellectual disability ” means a substantial limitation in present functioning characterized by significantly

subaverage intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with related limitations

in two or more of the following applicable skill areas: communication, self-care,

home living, social skills, community use, self-direction, health and safety, functional

academics, leisure and work. B. In any judicial proceeding wherein a witness with a developmental or intellectual

disability may or will testify, the court on its own motion or on motion of the proponent

of the witness with a developmental or intellectual disability, and after hearing,

may order the use of one of the alternative procedures for determining competency

to testify or for taking the testimony of the witness with a developmental or intellectual

disability described below, provided that the court finds at the time of the order,

by a preponderance of the evidence in the case, that the witness with a developmental

or intellectual disability is likely, as a result of submitting to usual procedures

for determining competency or as a result of testifying in open court: (1) to suffer unreasonable and unnecessary mental or emotional harm; or (2) to suffer a temporary loss of or regression in cognitive or behavioral functioning

or communicative abilities such that the witness's ability to testify will be significantly

impaired. C. If the court orders the use of an alternative procedure pursuant to this section,

the court shall make and enter specific findings on the record describing the reasons

for such order. D. A court that makes findings in accordance with Subsection B of this section may

order any of the following suitable alternative procedures for determining the competency

to testify or for taking the testimony of the witness with a developmental or intellectual

disability: (1) taking the testimony of the witness with a developmental or intellectual disability

while permitting a person familiar to the witness such as a family member, clinician,

counselor, social worker or friend to sit near or next to the witness; (2) taking the testimony of the witness with a developmental or intellectual disability

in court but off the witness stand; (3) if the proceeding is a bench proceeding, taking the testimony of the witness with

a developmental or intellectual disability in a setting familiar to the witness; (4) if the proceeding is a jury trial, videotaping of testimony, out of the presence

of the jury or in a location chosen by the court or by agreement of the parties;

or (5) the procedure set forth in Paragraph (1) in combination with Paragraph (2), (3)

or (4) of this subsection. E. Testimony taken by a videotape pursuant to an order issued as provided in Subsection

B of this section shall be taken in the presence of the judge, counsel for all parties

and such other persons as the court may allow. Counsel shall be given the opportunity to examine, confront or cross-examine the

witness with a developmental or intellectual disability to the same extent as would

be permitted if ordinary procedures had been followed, subject to such protection

of the witness as the judge deems necessary. F. An order issued pursuant to provisions of Subsection B of this section that the

testimony of the witness with a developmental or intellectual disability be videotaped

out of the presence of the jury shall provide that the videotape be shown in court

to the jury in the presence of the judge, the parties and the parties' counsel. At such courtroom showing, the audio portion of the video shall be entered into

the record as would any oral testimony and shall be treated in all respects as oral

testimony to the jury. G. The videotape or giving of testimony taken by an alternative procedure pursuant

to an order issued as provided in Subsection B of this section shall be admissible

as substantive evidence to the same extent as and in lieu of live testimony by the

witness in any proceeding for which the order is issued or in any related proceeding

against the same party when consistent with the interests of justice; provided that

such an order is entered or re-entered based on current findings at the time when,

or within a reasonable time before, the videotape or testimony is offered into evidence,

and provided, in the case of a related criminal proceeding, that the requirements

of Subsection E of this section were satisfied when the videotape was recorded or

the alternative procedure was used. H. Whenever, pursuant to an order issued as provided in Subsection B of this section,

testimony is recorded on videotape, the court shall ensure that: (1) the recording equipment is capable of making an accurate recording and is operated

by a competent operator; (2) the recording is in color and is taken in well-lit conditions; (3) the presence of the presiding judge, the attorneys, the defendant or parties,

if in the room, and all other persons present is stated on the recording; (4) the witness with a developmental or intellectual disability is visible at all

times and, to the extent reasonably possible, the recording shows all persons present

in the room as a jury would perceive them in open court; (5) every voice on the recording is audible and identifiable; (6) the recording is accurate, undistorted in picture or sound quality and has not

been altered except as ordered by the court; and (7) each party is afforded the opportunity to view the recording before it is shown

in the courtroom. I. The fact that the witness with a developmental or intellectual disability has been

found in a court proceeding to be incompetent to make informed decisions of a personal,

medical or financial nature or is under a guardianship or conservatorship shall not

preclude the witness from testifying if found competent to testify and, further, shall

not preclude a determination of competency to testify. J. The use of alternative procedures shall not be denied because they may take significantly

more time than conventional procedures. K. Expert opinion shall be admissible at any hearing held pursuant to this section,

including hearings to determine the competency of a witness with a developmental or

intellectual disability to testify. L. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the court from using other

appropriate means, consistent with this section and other laws and with the defendant's

rights, to protect a witness with a developmental or intellectual disability from

trauma during a court proceeding.