Closing Date: 17th October, 2025
Description:
Posting DetailsThe Criminal Appeals Division within the New Mexico Department of Justice represents the State of New Mexico in criminal appellate and post-conviction proceedings. The Division works not only to do justice in particular cases, but also to advance and develop the law in a positive direction.
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
Why does the job exist?
Assistant Solicitors General (ASGs) represent the State in criminal appellate and post-conviction proceedings. On the appellate side, ASGs defend lawful convictions and seek relief when lower courts rule against the State. In their post-conviction role, ASGs protect lawful convictions from collateral attack and represent the State and wardens.
Assistant Solicitors General (ASGs) represent the State in criminal appellate and post-conviction proceedings. On the appellate side, ASGs defend lawful convictions and seek relief when lower courts rule against the State. In their post-conviction role, ASGs protect lawful convictions from collateral attack and represent the State and wardens.
How does it get done?
Researching legal issues carefully, write persuasively, and argue in court effectively. In addition to drafting appellate briefs, the position may also occasionally involve working on writs and expedited pretrial detention appeals, state habeas matters, and on the rare occasion, federal habeas matters. Master complex and extensive records. At the same time, ASGs are responsible for managing a caseload and adhering to deadlines. ASGs may also be required to advise state prosecutors on appellate questions and strategy, serve on state and national committees, present at conferences, and perform other criminal-appeals-related duties as directed by the Solicitor General.
Researching legal issues carefully, write persuasively, and argue in court effectively. In addition to drafting appellate briefs, the position may also occasionally involve working on writs and expedited pretrial detention appeals, state habeas matters, and on the rare occasion, federal habeas matters. Master complex and extensive records. At the same time, ASGs are responsible for managing a caseload and adhering to deadlines. ASGs may also be required to advise state prosecutors on appellate questions and strategy, serve on state and national committees, present at conferences, and perform other criminal-appeals-related duties as directed by the Solicitor General.
Who are the customers?
Most fundamentally, ASGs work for the public: they ensure that victims of crime see justice and that the police and prosecutors have the legal ability to protect the public from dangerous individuals. The Division works with prosecutors around the state, including prosecution units within the New Mexico Department of Justice.
Ideal Candidate:
An ideal candidate would have a background in criminal law and an interest in broader policy questions. The candidate would have experience in researching and dealing with complex legal issues. He or she would be skilled in legal research, writing, and oral advocacy. ASGs must exercise good judgment to select effective legal strategies and identify important issues. Effective ASGs must have the patience to comb through extensive records as well as the ability to work quickly when necessary. The ideal candidate would be professional and courteous when interacting with prosecutors, judges, opposing counsel, and co-workers.
Minimum Qualification:
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license (Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA). For more information on limited practice licenses, please visit http://nmexam.org/limited-license/.
Most fundamentally, ASGs work for the public: they ensure that victims of crime see justice and that the police and prosecutors have the legal ability to protect the public from dangerous individuals. The Division works with prosecutors around the state, including prosecution units within the New Mexico Department of Justice.
Ideal Candidate:
An ideal candidate would have a background in criminal law and an interest in broader policy questions. The candidate would have experience in researching and dealing with complex legal issues. He or she would be skilled in legal research, writing, and oral advocacy. ASGs must exercise good judgment to select effective legal strategies and identify important issues. Effective ASGs must have the patience to comb through extensive records as well as the ability to work quickly when necessary. The ideal candidate would be professional and courteous when interacting with prosecutors, judges, opposing counsel, and co-workers.
Minimum Qualification:
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license (Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA). For more information on limited practice licenses, please visit http://nmexam.org/limited-license/.
