State v. Strauch

{34} I consider the term “every person,” as articulated in Section 32A-4-3(A), to mean any person who is aware of or reasonably suspects that a child is being abused. Under the statute’s plain directive, all such persons are duty-bound to report the ill-treatment of children to law enforcement or child protection authorities. The majority having concluded otherwise, I respectfully dissent.

{35} Initially, I note that the language of the statute itself seems unmistakable. When there exists clarity of legislative intent, New Mexico caselaw compels a statute’s effectuation in a manner that avoids…