Jewell v. Seidenberg

OPINION

WATSON, Justice.

This case is before us on a writ of certiorari to the Court of Appeals. That court’s opinion (decided June 12, 1970), appearing at 82 N.M. 88, 475 P.2d 785 (Ct.App.1970), reversed a judgment for the plaintiff below upon the sole ground that the trial court had failed to give the mandatory New Mexico Uniform Jury Instruction 17.1, which reads:

“Faithful performance by you of your duties is vital to the administration of justice.”

Both parties had requested this instruction, and the record reflects no reason for the court’s refusal to give it.

From Judge Hendley’s succinct…