Solicitor General
The Solicitor General’s Office (SGO) addresses appeals and constitutional litigation on behalf of the State of New Mexico. The SGO is comprised of both the Civil Appeals Division and the Criminal Appeals Division of the New Mexico Department of Justice. The SGO includes a Solicitor General, a Deputy Solicitor General for each of the appeals divisions, around twenty Assistant Solicitors General, and five professional staff, located in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
The SGO represents the State in cases before all state and federal courts in civil and criminal matters. The SGO also works with attorneys general offices across the nation to address interstate and federal issues in amicus curiae “Friend of the Court” briefs and in letters addressed to state and federal officials on important matters that impact our nation and New Mexicans. The SGO additionally works with the Government Accountability Division to address questions presented by officials who are statutorily authorized to present such questions in Attorney General Opinions.
Civil Appeals
The Civil Appeals Division of the New Mexico Department of Justice handles constitutional litigation, civil appeals, and extraordinary writs in state and federal court. The Division works on appeals across the civil law spectrum, including matters related to consumer protection, environmental protection, civil rights, and matters involving constitutional law, working with the other divisions throughout the agency to represent the State, its officials, and its people’s interests.
The members of the Civil Appeals Division file briefs and argue primarily in the New Mexico Court of Appeals, the New Mexico Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court, although they may also be called upon to file briefs or argue in front of state district courts or other state or federal courts as issues arise. Our attorneys are also involved with Supreme Court committees and regularly present at conferences, training sessions, and the law school.
Criminal Appeals
The New Mexico Department of Justice represents the State in every criminal appeal filed in New Mexico. In addition, the Criminal Appeals Division represents wardens in state and federal habeas corpus cases and represents the State’s interests in extraordinary writ cases.
Members of the Criminal Appeals Division file briefs in and argue in front of the New Mexico Court of Appeals, the New Mexico Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Our attorneys are active on various Supreme Court committees and regularly present trainings for prosecutors and other justice partners.
On a roughly semi-annual basis, the Criminal Appeals Division provides presentations to prosecutors regarding the appellate process and updates to appellate law. Our philosophy is to offer guidance and avoid any missteps that may adversely impact a criminal prosecution. All presentations may be found here.
