Tag Archives: Fundamental Error

NMCA: Instructing jury on offense for which the defendant was never charged is fundamental error

The defendant was charged with escape from jail, but the jury was instructed on the separate offense of escape from an inmate-release program. No objection was made. In State v. Grubb (opinion by Chief Judge Monica Zamora), the Court of … Continue reading

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NMCA: Fundamental error to instruct jury on element of crime that has been repealed

In this case, the defendant, Marcos Figueroa, was charged with criminal sexual penetration of a minor for abusing his son and stepson. At trial, the district court granted the State’s request that the jury be instructed that the defendant had … Continue reading

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