Whenever sworn evidence is presented to the district attorney showing that any of the officers of the class provided for in this chapter are guilty of any of the matters herein mentioned as causes for removal, he must present the accusation to the court as provided in the next preceding section [10-4-17 NMSA 1978].
History: Laws 1909, ch. 36, § 19; Code 1915, § 3972; C.S. 1929, § 96-123; 1941 Comp., § 10-320; 1953 Comp., § 5-3-20.
ANNOTATIONSCompiler's notes. — The 1915 Code compilers replaced "chapter 36 of the Session Laws of 1909," compiled as 10-3-1, 10-4-1 to 10-4-29 NMSA 1978, with "this chapter," referring to Chapter 80 of the 1915 Code, §§ 3950 to 3985, compiled as 10-1-2 to 10-1-4, 10-3-1, 10-4-1 to 10-4-29 and 10-17-5 NMSA 1978.
Generally. — It is the duty of the district attorney to bring matter of complaint to attention of court by statement of the offense in ordinary and concise language, without repetition, and in such manner as to enable a person of common knowledge to know what is intended, and support such statement by the affidavit or affidavits of those having knowledge of the facts upon which cause for removal is based. State ex rel. Mansker v. Leib, 1915-NMSC-071, 20 N.M. 619, 151 P. 766.
Filing accusation. — The district attorney cannot proceed in the matter of removal of county officials under this act (Sections 10-3-1, 10-4-1 to 10-4-29 NMSA 1978), unless sworn evidence has been presented to him, and unless he files an accusation supported by affidavit or affidavits, at a time when the grand jury of the county would not be in session within a period of twenty days, or at a time when the grand jury was not actually in session. State v. Awalt, 1916-NMSC-020, 21 N.M. 510, 156 P. 407.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 67 C.J.S. Officers and Public Employees § 176.