legal-history history new-mexico
Focus on arson in New Mexico Constitution -- why? typo?
<p>In the State Constitution of New Mexico, Article II Section 24 Rights of Crime Victims, all the victims' rights are listed specifically for &quot;a victim of arson&quot; (see <a href="https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/7714-new-mexico" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/7714-new-mexico</a>). Why? Was this a typo that never got fixed? Did arson previously mean something more general than starting a fire? Did they want to particularly protect against arson for some reason? I assume that in reality other crime victims have similar protections, but why the focus on arson? Thx!</p>

<p>The language is worded broader:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&quot;A victim of [list of crimes] or that victim's representative shall have the following rights as provided by law:&quot;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The list is seemingly alphabetically, and covers besides arson injuring people, also aggravated arson &amp; battery, misuse of explosives, negligent use of a deadly weapon, murder, [two other types of homicide], kidnapping, [various types of sexual misconduct], [two types of hit and run], [two types of child endangerment].</p>
<p>That is a closed list, that gives the victim or his representative (estate or legal guardian) the rights enumerated after.</p>
