Duress Instruction

The Supreme Court of New Mexico reinstated a woman’s convictions for hitting her ex-boyfriend with a car while trying to get away from him, finding she was not entitled to a duress instruction because she testified she had hit the man accidentally. Had she admitted to intentionally committing a criminal act, she would have been entitled to such an instruction.

SANTA FE, N.M. — The Supreme Court of New Mexico reinstated a woman’s convictions for hitting her ex-boyfriend with a car while trying to get away from him, finding she was not entitled to a duress instruction because she testified she had hit the man accidentally. Had she admitted to intentionally committing a criminal act, she would have been entitled to such an instruction.

Categories / Appeals, Criminal

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Duress Instruction

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Additional Reads