A.Application of rules. This article governs the procedure in disciplinary proceedings before the New Mexico Supreme Court, the Disciplinary Board and its hearing committees and reviewing officers.B.Application of Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules of Appellate Procedure. Except where clearly inapplicable to disciplinary proceedings or inconsistent with or otherwise provided for by these rules, the Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts of New Mexico shall be used in formal disciplinary proceedings. Except where clearly inapplicable to disciplinary proceedings or inconsistent with or otherwise provided for by these rules or by Court order, the Rules of Appellate Procedure shall apply to documents filed in the Supreme Court.C.Service. Except as otherwise provided in these rules, the specification of charges, all pleadings, notices, motions, orders, or other papers required to be served may be served on a party unless the party is represented by an attorney in which case service may be upon the attorney. Service upon an attorney or upon a party shall be made by delivering a copy to the attorney or party, by mailing it to the attorney or party at the address listed on the most recent registration statement filed under Rule 24-102.1 NMRA or by electronic transmission in accordance with Rule 12-307.2 NMRA to the email address of record listed on the most recent registration statement filed under Rule 24-102.1 NMRA. "Delivering a copy" as used in this rule means handing it to the attorney or to the party; leaving it at the attorney's or party's office with the attorney's or party's clerk or other person in charge thereof, or if there is no one in charge, leaving it in a conspicuous place therein; or if the office is closed or the person to be served has no office, leaving it at the attorney's or party's dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion therein. Service by mail is complete upon mailing and shall constitute notice as required by these rules. Service by electronic transmission is complete as defined by Rule 12-307.2 NMRA.D.Proof of service. Except as otherwise provided in these rules or by order of the Supreme Court or Disciplinary Board, proof of service of any pleading, motion, order, or other paper required to be served shall be made by the certificate of the attorney of record, or if made by any other person, by the affidavit of such person. Such certificate or affidavit shall be filed with the Disciplinary Board or with the Supreme Court, as appropriate, or endorsed on the pleading, motion, or other paper required to be served.E.Additional time after service by mail. Whenever a party has the right or is required to do some act or take some proceedings within a prescribed period after the service of a notice or other paper upon the party and the notice or paper is served upon the party by mail, three (3) days shall be added to the prescribed period.N.M. R. Gov. Disc. 17-301
As amended by Supreme Court order No. 13-8300-045, effective 12/31/2013; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. 17-8300-004, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after7/1/2017; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. 21-8300-030, effective 12/31/2021. ANNOTATIONS The 2017 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. 17-8300-004, effective for all cases pending or filed on or after July 1, 2017, provided that, in disciplinary proceedings, the rules of appellate procedure apply to all documents filed in the Supreme Court, except where clearly inapplicable, and provided that all papers required to be served may be served by electronic transmission in accordance with Rule 12-307.2 NMRA; in the heading, added "and Rules of Appellate Procedure"; in Paragraph B, in the heading, added "and Rules of Appellate Procedure", and added the last sentence of the paragraph; and in Paragraph C, after "specification of", deleted "changes" and added "charges", after "Rule 17-202 NMRA", added "or by electronic transmission in accordance with Rule 12-307.2 NMRA to the email address of record listed on the most recent registration statement filed under Rule 17-202 NMRA", added quotation marks around "Delivering a copy", deleted "within" and added "as used", and added the last sentence of the paragraph. The 2013 amendment, approved by Supreme Court Order No. 13-8300-045, effective December 31, 2013, made the reference to the recipient of service gender neutral; in Paragraph C, in the second sentence, after "by delivering a copy", deleted "him" and added "the attorney or party" and after "by mailing it to", deleted "him" and added "the attorney's or party's", and in the third sentence, after "to the party; leaving it at", deleted "his" and added "the attorney's or party's", after "party's office with" deleted "his" and added "the attorney's or party's", and after "no office, leaving it at", deleted "his" and added "the attorney's or party's".
For the Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts, see Rule 1-001 NMRA et seq. Adequate notice. - While due process does require adequate notice, the rules are clear that personal service and service by mail shall constitute such notice. Insufficient notice cannot be found on the basis of an attorney's own failure to open and read what is received by him. In re Martinez, 1988-NMSC-033, 107 N.M. 171, 754 P.2d 842. Insufficient basis for reinstatement. - The mere passage of time or a statement that one wishes to resume a legal career will not suffice as a basis for reentry into the profession. In re Ayala, 1991-NMSC-056, 112 N.M. 109, 812 P.2d 358. Burden of proof. - The disbarred or suspended attorney who seeks to be reinstated bears a heavy burden and must demonstrate not only by words but also by deeds that he or she can undertake the practice of law without endangering the public or the reputation of the profession. In re Ayala, 1991-NMSC-056, 112 N.M. 109, 812 P.2d 358.