This summary was computer-generated without any editorial revision. It is not official, has not been checked for accuracy, and is NOT citable.
Facts
The State sought to appeal an order from the district court that sealed the arrest records of the Defendant. The Defendant had previously filed a petition to expunge his records, but the trial court had not yet ruled on the amended petition. The State conceded that no final ruling on the petition had been made.
Procedural History
- District Court, Chaves County: Issued an order sealing the Defendant's arrest records. The trial court had not ruled on the Defendant's amended petition to expunge.
Parties' Submissions
- Appellant (State of New Mexico): Argued that the district court's order sealing the arrest records was not a final, appealable order. Conceded that no ruling had been made on the amended petition to expunge.
- Appellee (Defendant): [Not applicable or not found]
Legal Issues
- Whether the district court's order sealing the Defendant's arrest records constituted a final, appealable order.
Disposition
- The appeal was dismissed on the grounds that the district court's order was not a final, appealable order.
Reasons
Per Bustamante J. (Robles and Vanzi JJ. concurring):
The Court of Appeals determined that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the appeal because the district court's order sealing the arrest records was not a final order. Citing precedent, the Court emphasized that the finality of an order is a jurisdictional requirement for appellate review. The State conceded that the trial court had not ruled on the Defendant's amended petition to expunge, further confirming the lack of a final, appealable order. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed.