In New Mexico, the use of force and deadly force may be legally justified under certain circumstances. This article will first address the use of non-deadly force in self-defense, and then cover the issue of when the use of deadly force may be justified.
Non-Deadly Force
Justification for the use of non-deadly force requires the following:
- There was an appearance of immediate danger of bodily harm to you or another as a result of an unlawful act;
- You were, in fact, put in fear of immediate bodily harm to yourself or another, and used non-deadly force because of that fear;
- You used an amount of force that you believed was reasonable and necessary to prevent the bodily harm; and
- The apparent danger would have caused a reasonable person in the same circumstances to act as you did.
Importantly, if your use of non-deadly force in self-defense causes death or great bodily harm, the force used by you must have been force that ordinarily would not create a substantial risk of death or great bodily harm. NM UJI 14-5181–14-5182.
There are a couple of other key points to remember regarding the use of force. Significantly, once an individual becomes justified to use force, the right to use force may end during the encounter if the danger to the individual ceases or the threat is disabled. NM UJI 14-5171. As a result, if the initial aggressor ceases the aggression—for example, by fleeing or being knocked unconscious—your right to use force ceases.
In that case, should you continue to use force, you may be deemed the aggressor. Moreover, if you are the initial aggressor using non-deadly force, you cannot claim self-defense to justify your use of force, unless you first attempt to stop the fight, or unless the other person begins to use an unreasonable amount of force, such as deadly force. NM UJI 14-5171 Committee Commentary See State v. Chavez, 1983-NMSC-037, ¶ 6, 99 N.M. 609, 661 P.2d 887; UJI 14-5191 NMRA; UJI 5191A NMRA.
The Use of Deadly Force
What happens if you find yourself in a situation where you used deadly force against a person in self-defense or in defense of another? Generally, for you to be legally justified in the use of deadly force, you will need to show that:
- There was an appearance of immediate danger of death or great bodily harm to you or another as a result of the threat from the perpetrator;
- You were, in fact, put in fear by the apparent danger of immediate death or great bodily harm to yourself or another, and killed the perpetrator because of that fear; and
- A reasonable person in the same circumstances would have acted as you did. NM UJI 14-5171, 5172.
New Mexico’s Castle Doctrine, NM UJI 14-5170–5172, broadens the circumstance under which you may be justified in your use of deadly force to protect yourself or others. Under the law, you are justified in the use of deadly force against another person in your habitation if:
- The place where the killing occurred was being used as your dwelling;
- It appeared to you that the commission of a violent felony was immediately at hand, and that it was necessary to kill the intruder to prevent the commission of the violent felony; and
- A reasonable person in the same circumstances as you would have acted the same way that you did. NMJI 14-5170.
Significantly, if the act of self-defense occurred in your habitation, rather than being required to show an appearance of immediate danger of death or great bodily injury, you only need to show that the commission of a violent felony by the perpetrator was immediately at hand.
Remember that it will be a jury deciding whether your use of force was justified. Unfortunately, this means that those deciding whether your use of force was appropriate have the opportunity to look back at your actions and make determinations as to what they feel you should have done, essentially engaging in “Monday morning quarterbacking.” That is why it is so important to be aware of the law, keep a level head, and only use the appropriate amount of force when necessary.
If you have any questions about self-defense laws in New Mexico, contact U.S. LawShield and ask to speak with your Independent Program Attorney.
The preceding should not be construed as legal advice nor the creation of an attorney-client relationship. This is not an endorsement or solicitation for any service. Your situation may be different, so please contact your attorney regarding your specific circumstances. Because the laws, judges, juries, and prosecutors vary from location to location, similar or even identical facts and circumstances to those described in this presentation may result in significantly different legal outcomes. This presentation is by no means a guarantee or promise of any particular legal outcome, positive, negative, or otherwise.
I’m accessed CCW holder in NM. I have talked with various “experts” relative to forced entry, burglary and breaking and entering into my castle. The advice has been less than conclusive.
The issue: does the purp have to be more than half way into the premises in order to take action at any level of force to stop the perp?
Marty, NM CCW instructor here. There is no “on the books” statute that requires the “half way” condition. There is case law, however.
Look up, “the seminal New Mexico case on defense of habitation was clear that, in certain circumstances, it may justify an occupant’s use of lethal force against an intruder who is outside the home. Bailey, 27 N.M. at 162, 198 P. at 534.”
I live in New Mexico and have concealed carry. I could have sworn I’ve seen a law that allows the use of deadly force for not only life and limb, but property as well.
Are you familiar with that? Or am I remembering it wrong.
If I was a security manager (employee) for a facility that could be considered at risk for criminal activity can I carry a firearm to protect myself and others without being a level 3 security guard?
This is a great question. If you’re a member, please call our non-emergency line to get an answer from an independent program attorney at 877-448-6839.
Being charged for battery because a family member was aggressively coming at me with force however has previously physically put hands on me. When my family member came at me aggressively I put my hands out to prevent from hitting me. Now I have to go to court for Battery. Would this be considered self defense in New Mexico?