In this section we will walk you step by step from the beginning to the end of a criminal case. Criminal cases generally begin with a police investigation which may result in an arrest or detention of the accused. Except for juveniles or those accused of the most serious crimes, the arrest warrant will set forth an amount of bond before the accused can be released. 

After the police have completed their investigation, whether you have been arrested or not, the next step involves filing a complaint in court. Typically criminal complaints are filed in one of four courts:

 

Children's Court handles all persons accused of a crime whe were less than eighteen (18) years old on the date of the alleged offense. Before filing a complaint in Children's Court, the Juvenile Probation Office must conduct a preliminary inquiry and the Children's Court Attorney (the prosecutor representing the State of New Mexico) must review the case. If the accused poses a threat to society or a flight risk, s/he may be held without bond.

 

Municipal Court for less serious misdemeanor cases inside the city limits