IPRA & Public Transparency

Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA)

Under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act:

"[I]t is declared to be the public policy of this state, that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of public officers and employees. It is the further intent of the legislature, and it is declared to be the public policy of this state, that to provide persons with such information is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of public officers and employees."

In New Mexico, it seems transparency is the exception and concealment of public records is the norm. Our award winning efforts to fight this culture continues every day by assisting and representing citizens to obtain the public records they seek. These services include either working directly with the government or through court actopm if necessary. Contact us to determine if your rights under IPRA have been violated and the best course of action to take against the government entity that has violated your rights. 

Open Meetings Act (OMA)

Government bodies are compelled to comply with OMA if their actions are to be valid. Under the New Mexico Open Meetings Act:

"No resolution, rule, regulation, ordinance or action of any board, commission, committee or other policymaking body shall be valid unless taken or made at a meeting held in accordance with the requirements of Section 10-15-1 NMSA 1978. Every resolution, rule, regulation, ordinance or action of any board, commission, committee or other policymaking body shall be presumed to have been taken or made at a meeting held in accordance with the requirements of Section 10-15-1 NMSA 1978."

The state's Open Meetings Act has teeth if a government body fails to comply with it. If a government body takes action that harms you and it failed to comply with OMA, you may have recourse to stop that action in court and recover your legal fees.