Nothing in this chapter shall operate to deprive any defendant of the right to a continuance in any case in which such right would attach in any criminal case as provided by law, but before any case shall be continued, upon application of the defendant, beyond the term of court at which the accusation is presented, or if such accusation is presented in vacation beyond the first term of court after presentment thereof the court may, upon application of the district attorney, make a preliminary investigation as provided in this chapter and suspend the officer, pending a final adjudication of the matters alleged in the accusation.
History: Laws 1909, ch. 36, § 26; Code 1915, § 3979; C.S. 1929, § 96-130; 1941 Comp., § 10-327; 1953 Comp., § 5-3-27.
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.
Jurisdiction of district courts. — The act (Sections 10-3-1, 10-4-1 to 10-4-29 NMSA 1978) confers jurisdiction upon the district courts to make preliminary investigations and suspend an officer pending outcome of accusation, before continuance beyond the term of court. State ex rel. Harvey v. Medler, 1914-NMSC-055, 19 N.M. 252, 142 P. 376.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 67 C.J.S. Officers and Public Employees § 111.