2011 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 32A: Children's Code
Article 4: Child Abuse and Neglect, 32A-4-1 through 32A-4-34
Section 32A-4-11: Use immunity.


NM Stat § 32A-4-11 (1996 through 1st Sess 50th Legis) What's This?

32A-4-11. Use immunity.

A. At any stage of a proceeding under the Abuse and Neglect Act, the children's court attorney may apply for use immunity for a respondent for in-court testimony. The in-court testimony of an immunized respondent shall not be used against that respondent in a criminal prosecution; provided, however, that the respondent may be prosecuted for perjury that occurs during the respondent's testimony in children's court.

B. At any stage of a proceeding under the Abuse and Neglect Act, the children's court attorney may apply for use immunity for any records, documents or other physical objects produced by the immunized respondent in that children's court proceeding, production of which was compelled by a court order.

C. At any stage of a proceeding under the Abuse and Neglect Act, the children's court attorney may apply for use immunity for a respondent for any statement that a respondent makes in the course of a court-ordered psychological evaluation or treatment program to the professional designated by the department in furtherance of the court's order. Such immunity shall attach only to those statements made during the course of the actual evaluation or treatment and specifically does not attach to statements made to other department employees, agents or other representatives in the course of the investigation of alleged child abuse or neglect.

D. Any other information available to the professional designated by the department to perform the court-ordered evaluation or treatment shall not be the subject of any application or order for immunity.

E. All immunized statements referred to in Subsection C that are subsequently reduced to writing shall be deleted before any report is released to law enforcement officers or district attorneys.

F. Use immunity orders shall not be entered nunc pro tunc.

G. The children's court attorney shall request a hearing on any application for immunity and shall give at least forty-eight hours notice to all parties and to the district attorney for the county in which the alleged abuse or neglect occurred. The district attorney shall have standing to object to the order for immunity.

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