Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office
Victim Advocate Program
Who we are.
How We
Can Help.
The Victim Impact Program (VIP) within the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office is one of the very first programs established in the State of New Mexico to protect victim’s rights. Trained advocates work closely with victims of all violent crimes and work with area service providers to ensure victims are informed and are able to utilize available resources. Victim Advocates are on call 24/7 and respond to hospitals and law enforcement agencies when needed. Quentin Ray, and the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office pledge to provide victims with the highest quality of services through the course of the criminal prosecution.
Connect With An Advocate.
Our advocates are trained to assist victims of enumerated crimes in Curry and Roosevelt Counties. If you would like to speak to a victim advocate concerning your case, please fill out the form below and an advocate will contact as soon as possible.
you are not alone
Victim Advocates Are Here To Help
Our Victim Advocates are trained to support victims of enumerated crimes in Curry and Roosevelt County.
What Are Enumerated Crimes?
- Negligent Arson resulting in Death or Bodily Injury 30-17-5 NMSB 1978
- Aggravated Arson, 30-17-6 NMSA 1978
- Aggravated Assault, 30-3-2 NMSA 1978
- Dangerous Use of Explosives, 30-7-5 NMSA 1978
- Negligent use of a Deadly Weapon, 30-7-4 NMSA 1978
- Murder, 30-2-1 NMSA 1978
- Voluntary Manslaughter, 30-2-3 NMSA 1978
- Involuntary Manslaughter, 30-2-3 NMSA
- Kidnapping, 30-4-1 NMSA 1978
- Criminal Sexual Penetration, 30-9-11 NMSA 1978
- Criminal Sexual contact of a Minor, 30-19-13
- Armed robbery, 30-16-2 NMSA 1978
- Homicide by vehicle, as provided in Section 66-8-101 NMSA 1978
- Great bodily injury by vehicle, as provided in Section 66-8-101 NMSA 1978
- Abandonment or abuse of a child, as provided in Section 30-6-1 NMSA 1978
- Stalking or aggravated stalking, as provided by the Harassment and Stalking Act
- Aggravated assault against a household member, as provided in Section 30-3-13 NMSA 1978Assault against a household member with intent to commit a violent felony, as provided in Section 30-3-14
- Battery against a household member with intent to commit a violent felony, as provided in Section 30-3-15 NMSA 1978
- Aggravated battery against a household member, as provided in Section 30-3-15 NMSA 1978
“Strength doesn't come from what you can do. Strength comes from overcoming the things you thought you couldn't.”
– Unknown
important things you should know
Questions And Answers
In every victim case, a victim advocate will reach you to you to schedule a meeting for you to discuss the case with assigned prosecutor. This meeting is an opportunity for the prosecutor to answer any questions that you may have and talk about possible resolutions. While the final decision is left to the prosecutor, your input and desires regarding the outcome of a case do matter and are taken into consideration.
A subpoena is an order issued by the Court, requiring an individual to appear at a certain place, date and time (usually a court proceeding) to testify about a particular incident that took place.
If you receive a subpoena, you are required to be present unless excused by the prosecutor. Failure to show up to court could result in you being held in contempt of court, which could include fines or even jail time.
If you receive a subpoena and have a conflict, you should contact your District Attorney’s Office Victim Advocate at (575) 769-2246 (Clovis) or (575) 356-4434 (Portales). We will do our best to accommodate you and your schedule.
The District Attorney’s Office has a no drop policy as it relates to domestic violence cases.
In many cases, the Judge will enter a no contact order which prevents a defendant and a victim from having contact. If it is your desire to have the no contact order lifted, you will be required to present yourself at the next hearing, and your victim advocate will ensure that you have the opportunity to address the Judge related to this. Ultimately, the decision is left up to the Judge to decide whether or not the no contact order is lifted.
If you have filed for a restraining order and have a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) or a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) in place, you may contact your advocate or the District Court Clerk’s Office to file the necessary paperwork to have the TRO or DVO dropped. The Court may set this for a separate court hearing before dismissing the matter.
Generally, misdemeanor cases dispose of anywhere from 6 months to 1 year. Felony cases typically take at least 1 year or more before they resolve. While every case is different, delays in a case are accredited toward continuances being granted, discovery issues, changes in representation by defense counsel, witness unavailability, health issues, the Court calendar, and motions being filed.
We know and understand that delays in a case can be extremely frustrating. We ask that you be patient with us, and we will make every effort to ensure that you are informed throughout the entire case process. At any time, you are welcome to contact a District Attorney’s Office Victim Advocate at (575) 769-2246 (Clovis) or (575) 356-4434 (Portales), to discuss the status of your case.
Your safety is a priority. If you in a dangerous situation and need immediate help, contact law enforcement 911.
If you are not in immediate danger, and wish to speak to someone directly, you may contact a District Attorney’s Office Victim Advocate at (575) 769-2246 (Clovis) or (575) 356-4434 (Portales).
Additional resources:
Hartley House Domestic Violence Shelter (Clovis/Portales/Tucumcari)
(575) 769-0305
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE(7233)
If you are unable to talk or are uncomfortable talking over the phone, you may click the link for the National Domestic Violence Hotline Live Chat at https://www.thehotline.org/what-is-live-chat/
Child custody is a civil matter that is resolved in District Court. You may contact the District Court Clerk’s Office in your area for assistance.
Curry County District Court Clerk
700 N. Mains, Suite 11
Clovis, NM 88101
(575) 742-7500
Roosevelt County District Court Clerk
109 W. 1st Street
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 359-6920
Your assigned victim advocate works as the liaison between you and the prosecutor on a case. While a prosecutor will make every effort to be available to a victim/witness, it is best to contact a District Attorney’s Office Victim Advocate at (575) 769-2246 (Clovis) or (575) 356-4434 (Portales) to discuss your questions or concerns related to a case. In each victim case, your advocate will schedule a meeting for you to talk with the prosecutor either by telephone or in person.
A victim advocate cannot give legal advice related to a matter. We can discuss the case in which you are a victim in, however, feel free to contact your advocate to discuss any issues. If your advocate feels it is necessary, they can recommend that you contact a private attorney.
Additionally, New Mexico Legal Aid, Inc. (NMLA) provides assistance for various legal matters to individuals who qualify according to their guidelines. For more information see https://www.newmexicolegalaid.org/about-us or call 1-833-545-4357.
As a victim, you are afforded the right to be reasonably protected from an offender/defendant. A no contact order means that the offender/defendant is prevented from having any contact or 3rd party communication with you during the pendency of a case. In each case the Judge will generally place a no contact order between the Defendant and any victims or witnesses in a matter and will do so at the Defendant’s arraignment.
A no contact order is separate from a Domestic Violence Order (DVO). For further information, please see What is a DVO (Domestic Violence Order)?
Many cases resolve through a plea offer or plea deal. A plea agreement is the negotiation of a settlement in a case between the state and the defense. Defense counsel may seek the negotiation of a defendant pleading to the original charge, a lesser charge, a dismissal of some charges or an agreement to a recommended particular sentence. We realize that each case and each victim are unique, and prior to a plea being offered the prosecutor will discuss the options with you, or your advocate may call to get your input as it relates to a plea negotiations.
Plea agreements avoid the uncertainties of trial in which the defendant is presumed innocent and the state must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
A Domestic Violence Order of Protection or restraining order is a civil protective order put in place to protect a victim from domestic abuse or threatened acts of abuse against a household member. A household member does not have to be living in the same home and is defined as one the following relationships: parent, child, spouse or former spouse, current or former girlfriend or boyfriend, grandparent, or grandchild. A victim of sexual assault or stalking can file for an order of protection, regardless of the relationship between the parties.
In order to be granted a DVO, you must file a petition for a Temporary Order of Protection (TRO) and a victim advocate can assist you with the paperwork for this. A District Court Judge will then review a petition for TRO; if a TRO is approved it is in effect until a court hearing can be held where the Judge will hear from both parties. At this hearing the Judge will then determine if a more permanent DVO should be put into effect for 6 months up to 1 year.
During this time the responding party is prohibited from having contact which prohibits contact by the responding party.
For further information, please see https://domesticviolence.nmcourts.gov/
A victim advocate cannot give legal advice related to a matter. We can discuss the case in which you are a victim in, however, feel free to contact your advocate to discuss any issues. If your advocate feels it is necessary, they can recommend that you contact a private attorney.
Additionally, New Mexico Legal Aid, Inc. (NMLA) provides assistance for various legal matters to individuals who qualify according to their guidelines. For more information see https://www.newmexicolegalaid.org/about-us or call 1-833-545-4357.
The District Attorney’s Victim Impact Program works closely with local and state agencies to help victims with compensation for various expenses and for basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter.
If you are a victim of a crime that occurred in New Mexico within the past two (2) years and has been reported to a licensed medical provider, licensed mental health provider, tribal health provider, or law enforcement agency, you may be eligible to receive victim compensation through New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission (CVRC). To learn more about CVRC, or to apply, please contact a District Attorney’s Office Victim Advocate at (575) 769-2246 (Clovis) or (575) 356-4434 (Portales). You may also go to www.cvrc.state.nm.us to view information on their website or call 1-800-306-6262.
