{"data":{"id":"us-nm/31-15-4","jurisdiction":"us-nm","citation":"31-15-4","heading":"Chief public defender; appointment; qualifications; removal.","body":"A. The chief shall be the administrative head of the department. The commission shall appoint a chief for a term of four years by approval of two-thirds of its members. The commission may reappoint a chief for subsequent terms. A vacancy in the office of the chief shall be filled by appointment by the commission.\nB. The commission shall appoint as chief only a person with the following qualifications:\n(1) an attorney licensed to practice law in New Mexico or who will be so licensed within one year of appointment;\n(2) an attorney whose practice of law has been active for at least five years immediately preceding the date of this appointment;\n(3) an attorney whose practice of law has included a minimum of five years' experience in defense of persons accused of crime; and\n(4) an attorney who has clearly demonstrated management or executive experience.\nC. The chief may be removed by the commission; provided, however, that no removal shall be made without notice of hearing and an opportunity to be heard having been first given to the chief.","path":["Chapter 31 - Criminal Procedure","ARTICLE 15 Public Defenders"],"source_url":"https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa-unanno/en/item/18531/index.do","current_through":"2026-05-20","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-03T15:02:19Z","sha256":"63865dacbd98068d71120f06fe554263ca35778a09dc73e827f611353167c8bc","source_id":"us-nm","stale":false,"prev":"us-nm/31-15-3","next":"us-nm/31-15-5"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}