Section 66-13-11 - Use of tests in criminal or civil actions; levels of intoxication; mandatory charging. - New Mexico Statutes

66-13-11. Use of tests in criminal or civil actions; levels of intoxication; mandatory charging.

A.     The results of a test performed pursuant to the Boating While Intoxicated Act may be introduced into evidence in a civil action or criminal action arising out of the acts alleged to have been committed by the person tested for operating a motorboat while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.   

B.     When the blood or breath of the person tested contains:   

(1)     an alcohol concentration of five one hundredths or less, it shall be presumed that the person was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor; or   

(2)     an alcohol concentration of more than five one hundredths but less than eight one hundredths, no presumption shall be made that the person either was or was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor. However, the amount of alcohol in the person's blood or breath may be considered with other competent evidence in determining whether the person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor.   

C.     When the blood or breath of the person tested contains an alcohol concentration of eight one hundredths or more, the arresting officer shall charge him with a violation of Section 3 [66-13-3 NMSA 1978] of the Boating While Intoxicated Act.   

D.     The determination of alcohol concentration shall be based on the grams of alcohol in one hundred milliliters of blood or the grams of alcohol in two hundred ten liters of breath.   

E.     The alcohol concentration in a person's blood or breath shall be determined by a chemical test administered to the person within three hours of the alleged boating while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. In a prosecution pursuant to the provisions of the Boating While Intoxicated Act, it is a rebuttable presumption that a person is in violation of the provisions of that act if he has an alcohol concentration of eight one hundredths or more in his blood or breath as determined by a chemical test administered to the person within three hours of the alleged boating while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. If the chemical test is administered more than three hours after the alleged boating while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, the test result is admissible as evidence of the alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath at the time of the alleged boating and the trier of fact shall determine what weight to give the test result.   

F.     The presumptions in Subsection B of this section do not limit the introduction of other competent evidence concerning whether the person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor.   

G.     If a person is convicted of operating a motorboat while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the trial judge shall be required to inquire into past convictions of the person for operating a motorboat while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs before sentence is entered in the matter.