By-Laws

Article I – Name

The name of the organization shall be the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association – Law Student Chapter.

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of this organization is to work in conjunction with the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association to protect and ensure, by rule of law, those individual rights guaranteed by the New Mexico and Federal Constitutions in criminal cases; to resist the constant efforts which are being made to curtail these rights; to encourage cooperation between lawyers and students engaged in the furtherance of these objectives through educational programs and other assistance; and, through these efforts, to promote justice and the common good.

Article III. Membership

Section 1. Eligibility

Membership is open to any student currently enrolled at the University of New Mexico School of Law who is not, at the time of membership or involvement in any of the organization’s activities, in any way engaged with a prosecutorial office or program.

Section 2. Annual Dues

The annual dues are $15.00, payable to the treasurer of the organization.

Section 3. Revocation of Membership

Any member or officer of the organization may be removed from the organization by a 2/3 vote in the event that a member engages in any activity inconsistent with the goals and purposes of this organization.

Article IV. Officers

Section 1. Positions

There shall be two co-presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer. One of the officers shall act as a liaison to the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association by attending the Association’s quarterly meetings, or otherwise keeping apprised of the activities of the association.

Section 2. How Elected

Officers for the first year of the organization’s existence shall be those persons involved in the creation of the organization. Following the 2005-2006 school year, officers shall be elected by a majority of the organization’s members

Section 3. Elections

Clause 1. When Held
Elections shall be held in April of each school year.

Clause 2. Term of Office
Newly elected officers shall take office at the end of every school year and serve until the end of the following school year.

Clause 3. Limits
No member shall hold more than one office at one time and a member may not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

Clause 4. Vacancies
In the event that an office becomes vacant, such vacancy shall be filled by a member elected by a majority of the organization’s members.

Clause 5. Removal from Office
When sufficient grounds exist, any officer may be removed from office upon a 2/3 vote. Grounds for removal include, but are not limited to, involvement in any activity inconsistent with goals and purposes of the organization or failure to timely and effectively execute the duties of one’s office.

Article V. Meetings

Meetings shall be held at least once a month, during the academic school year and may be held more frequently as needed.

Article VI. Quorum

Those members present at any meeting of the organization constitute a quorum for the purposes of conducting business.

Article VII. Amendments

Section 1. How Made

Amendments to the Constitution or the By-Laws of this organization may be made by the officers or a majority of the current membership as necessary.

Section 2. Limitations

Such amendments shall not make the Constitution or By-Laws inconsistent with the Constitution or By-Laws of the National Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association or New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association.