Whenever a peremptory mandamus is directed to a public officer, body or board, commanding the performance of any public duty specially enjoined by law, if it appears to the court that such officer or any member of such body or board, without just excuse, refuses or neglects to perform the duty so enjoined, the court may impose a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars [($250)] upon every such officer or member of such body or board; such fine, when collected, shall be paid into the state treasury, and the payment of such fine is a bar to an action for any penalty incurred by such officer or member of such body or board, by reason of his refusal or neglect to perform the duty so enjoined.
History: Laws 1884, ch. 1, § 47; C.L. 1884, § 2002; C.L. 1897, § 2770; Code 1915, § 3422; C.S. 1929, § 86-112; 1941 Comp., § 26-113; 1953 Comp., § 22-12-13.
This section does not exclude power of court to punish for disobedience of the writ, or to compel obedience to the writ by imprisonment until compliance. Delgado v. Chavez, 1891-NMSC-012, 5 N.M. 646, 25 P. 948, aff'd, 140 U.S. 586, 11 S. Ct. 874, 35 L. Ed. 578 (1891).
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 52 Am. Jur. 2d Mandamus § 482.
Contempt for disobedience of mandamus, 30 A.L.R. 148.
55 C.J.S. Mandamus §§ 359, 360.
Structure 2021 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 44 - Miscellaneous Civil Law Matters
Section 44-2-1 - [Regulation of mandamus.]
Section 44-2-2 - [District courts open at all times for issuance of writs.]
Section 44-2-3 - [Exclusive original jurisdiction; district and supreme courts.]
Section 44-2-4 - [Purpose of writ; judicial discretion not controlled.]
Section 44-2-5 - [Adequate remedy at law; writ will not issue; who may obtain writ.]
Section 44-2-6 - [Contents of writ.]
Section 44-2-7 - [When peremptory or alternative writs issued.]
Section 44-2-8 - [Allowance of writ; return day; service.]
Section 44-2-9 - [Answer to writ.]
Section 44-2-10 - [Peremptory mandamus on failure to answer; procedure after answer.]
Section 44-2-11 - [Pleadings allowed; proceedings as in civil actions.]
Section 44-2-12 - [Judgment for plaintiff; damages; costs; peremptory writ.]