Mitchell v. City of Farmington Police Department

OPINION

FRANCHINI, Justice.

These consolidated cases involve forfeiture proceedings initiated by state entities under NMSA 1978, Sections 30-31-34 and 30-31-35 (Repl.Pamp.1987), 1 of the Controlled Substances Act. We granted certiorari to consider an issue posed by both cases: whether execution on a forfeiture judgment divests an appellate court of jurisdiction to consider an appeal from the judgment. We hold that when a state entity initiates a forfeiture proceeding, thereby invoking the jurisdiction of the courts of New Mexico, those courts retain in person-am jurisdiction until all appeals…