NM Victims of domestic violence & sexual abuse to get easier protection

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court is making it easier for domestic violence victims to get a protective order. The state's high court ruled Monday that New Mexico law does not require victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking to show an immediate threat of harm to obtain an order of protection from their alleged abusers.

In a unanimous opinion, the court said, "there is no language that indicates that a petition must state why a petitioner needs the order, or even language that requires proof of a petitioner's need for the order." New Mexico law provides for protective orders for domestic abuse by household members such as a spouse or former spouse.