In New Mexico, the rules of evidence govern proceedings in the courts of the State of New Mexico, to the extent and with the exceptions stated in Rule 11-1101 NMRA.  The rules apply to all the courts of the State of New Mexico in the proceedings and to the extent set forth in the rules.  The rules of evidence apply generally to civil actions, to criminal proceedings and to contempt proceedings except those in which the court may act summarily.  The rules with respect to privileges apply at all stages of all actions, cases and proceedings.

The rules, other than those with respect to privileges, do not apply in situations such as:

• Preliminary questions of fact; and
• Miscellaneous proceedings such ass proceedings for extradition or rendition; sentencing by the court without a jury, or granting or revoking probation; issuance of warrants for arrest, criminal summonses and search warrants; proceedings with respect to release on bail or otherwise; dispositional hearings in children’s court proceedings; and issuance of ex parte custody orders, custody hearings, permanency hearings and judicial review proceedings in abuse and neglect proceedings.

Table of Contents of New Mexico Rules of Evidence

RULES OF EVIDENCE

    ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS  

    11-101 Scope of rules  

    11-102 Purpose and construction 

    11-103 Rulings on evidence 

    11-104 Preliminary questions 

    11-105 Limited admissibility 

    11-106 Remainder of or related writings or recorded statements 

    11-107 Comment by court 

    ARTICLE 2. JUDICIAL NOTICE

    11-201 Judicial notice of adjudicative facts 

    ARTICLE 3. PRESUMPTIONS 2 

    11-301 Presumptions in general in civil actions and proceedings 

    11-302 Presumptions in criminal cases 

    ARTICLE 4. RELEVANCY AND ITS LIMITS

    11-401 Definition of “relevant evidence.” 

    11-402 Relevant evidence generally admissible; irrelevant evidence inadmissible 

    11-403 Exclusion of relevant evidence on grounds of prejudice, confusion or waste of time 

    11-404 Character evidence not admissible to prove conduct; exceptions; other crimes 

    11-405 Methods of proving character 

    11-406 Habit; routine practice 

    11-407 Subsequent remedial measures 

    11-408 Compromise and offers to compromise 

    11-409 Payment of medical and similar expenses 

    11-410 Offer to plead guilty; no contest withdrawn plea of guilty 

    11-411 Liability insurance 

    11-412 Use of evidence obtained under immunity order precluded 

    11-413 Sex crimes; testimony; limitations; in camera hearing 

    ARTICLE 5. PRIVILEGES

    11-501 Privileges recognized only as provided 

    11-502 Required reports privileged by statute 

    11-503 Lawyer-client privilege 

    11-504 Physician-patient and psychotherapist-patient privilege 

    11-505 Husband-wife privileges 

    11-506 Communications to clergy 

    11-507 Political vote 

    11-508 Trade secrets 

    11-509 Communications to juvenile probation officers and social services workers 

    11-510 Identity of informer 

    11-511 Waiver of privilege by voluntary disclosure 

    11-512 Privileged matter disclosed under compulsion or without opportunity to claim privilege 

    11-513 Comment upon or inference from claim of privilege; instruction 

    11-514 News media-confidential source or information privilege 

    ARTICLE 6. WITNESSES

    11-601 General rule of competency 

    11-602 Lack of personal knowledge 

    11-603 Oath or affirmation 

    11-604 Interpreters 

    11-605 Competency of judge as witness 

    11-606 Competency of juror as witness 

    11-607 Who may impeach 

    11-608 Evidence of character and conduct of witness 

    11-609 Impeachment by evidence of conviction of crime 

    11-610 Religious beliefs or opinions 

    11-611 Mode and order of interrogation and presentation 

    11-612 Writing used to refresh memory 

    11-613 Prior statements of witnesses 

    11-614 Calling and interrogation of witnesses by court 

    11-615 Exclusion of witnesses 

    ARTICLE 7. OPINIONS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY 

    11-701 Opinion testimony by lay witnesses 

    11-702 Testimony by experts 

    11-703 Bases of opinion testimony by experts 

    11-704 Opinion on ultimate issue 

    11-705 Disclosure of facts or data underlying expert opinion 

    11-706 Court-appointed experts 

    11-707 Polygraph examinations 

    ARTICLE 8. HEARSAY

    11-801 Definitions 

    11-802 Hearsay rule 

    11-803 Hearsay exceptions; availability of declarant immaterial 

    11-804 Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable 

    11-805 Hearsay within hearsay 

    11-806 Attacking and supporting credibility of declarant 

    11-807 Residual exception 

    ARTICLE 9. AUTHENTICATION AND IDENTIFICATION 

    11-901 Requirement of authentication or identification 

    11-902 Self-authentication 

    11-903 Subscribing witness’ testimony unnecessary 

    ARTICLE 10. CONTENTS OF WRITINGS, RECORDINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS 

    11-1001 Definitions 

    11-1002 Requirement of original 

    11-1003 Admissibility of duplicates 

    11-1004 Admissibility of other evidence of contents 

    11-1005 Public records 

    11-1006 Summaries 

    11-1007 Testimony or written admission of party 

    11-1008 Functions of court and jury 

    ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS RULES

    11-1101 Applicability of rules 

    11-1102 Title 

    TABLE OF CORRESPONDING RULES