New Mexico Civil Litigation Lawyers

Under New Mexico's law, civil litigation is a legal process brought by a private or public entity, which is not concerned with criminal activity.

New Mexico civil litigation serves the purpose of providing persons with compensation for legal injustices or wrongs that have been committed against them.

In New Mexico, the general purpose of civil litigation is not punishment or deterrence. Both of those goals are the province of the criminal justice system. Alternatively, civil litigation in New Mexico is meant to provide the victims of wrongdoing with tangible (usually monetary) redress.

What Are Common Subjects of Civil Litigation in New Mexico?

New Mexico civil litigation can come up in practically any context. However, some situations are more likely to lead to civil litigation than others:

Personal Injury: Personal injury in New Mexico is probably the issue that most frequently leads to civil litigation. When someone is physically injured because of the intentional or negligent conduct of another, they have a right to recover the costs associated with the injury, such as medical expenses, lost wages, etc.

Employment: It's also common for the employment relationship to lead to civil litigation in New Mexico. This relationship can become very combative at times, so this shouldn't come as a surprise. Unlawful practices like racial discrimination, and failing to pay at least minimum wage, are prevalent sources of civil litigation in New Mexico.

Family Disputes: Most people in New Mexico know that the family relationship can be complicated, to say the least. Disputes involving divorce, community property, and child custody can easily lead to civil litigation in New Mexico.

Do I Need a New Mexico Civil Litigation Attorney?

New Mexico legal issues leading to civil litigation can appear out of nowhere. The legal issues involved are never simple, and can sometimes be incomprehensible to a layperson.

If you have any reason to believe that you might be engaged in a civil lawsuit anytime soon, it's a very good idea to seek the advice of a skilled New Mexico civil litigation attorney.

Interesting Facts About New Mexico

New Mexico is situated in the Southwestern region of the U.S. It is often considered the prime example of Southwestern life and culture in America. Before becoming part of the U.S., the New Mexico region was once part of the Imperial Viceroyalty of Spain. This is reflected in the red and gold colors of the state flag, which reference the region's Spanish origins.

New Mexico's state Constitution was approved in 1912 and authorizes the form of government in the state. The New Mexico court system is organized into different levels beginning with the Municipal Courts and ending with the Supreme Court of New Mexico. New Mexico has also instituted a one-of-a-kind "Problem-Solving Court" system, which is authorized to provide special interventions for drug offenders.

The state of New Mexico has also launched a Court Improvement Project (CIP). The CIP is aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of judiciary proceedings in New Mexico. One of the state's most famous court cases is Liebeck v. McDonald's (1994), popularly known as "The McDonald's hot coffee case". The case spawned a whole host of liability claims for fast-food chains, and was featured in a television documentary film.

Lawyers in New Mexico handle many types of cases ranging from simple legal claims to complex claims like the Liebeck case. New Mexico lawyers are skilled at providing legal advice and zealously represent clients during lawsuits. Working with a New Mexico lawyer can help make the legal process run much smoother.