AI Generated Opinion Summaries

This summary was computer-generated without any editorial revision. It is not official, has not been checked for accuracy, and is NOT citable.

Facts

• The Defendant, acting pro se, was found guilty of failing to show financial responsibility and not displaying a current valid registration plate. He appealed the district court's decision, which had affirmed the municipal court's order, arguing his status as an "Indigenous Aboriginal American Moor" exempts him from state traffic laws.

Procedural History

• District Court of Valencia County, William A. Sanchez, District Judge: Found the Defendant guilty of the traffic offenses and remanded to the municipal court for imposition of fines and fees.

Parties' Submissions

• Plaintiff-Appellee (City of Belen): Argued that the Defendant violated New Mexico Traffic Code by failing to show financial responsibility and not displaying a valid registration plate.
• Defendant-Appellant (Aker Amen Ra El-Bey a/k/a Lonnie Johns): Claimed status as an "Indigenous Aboriginal American Moor" exempts him from state traffic laws, argued for a right to travel without state regulation, and rejected contracts entered into through coercion, which he believes includes state laws.

Legal Issues

• Whether the Defendant's claimed status as an "Indigenous Aboriginal American Moor" exempts him from the enforcement of state traffic laws.
• Whether the Defendant has an absolute right to travel without state regulation.

Disposition

• The Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s order, finding the Defendant guilty of the traffic offenses.

Reasons

• Per Michael E. Vigil, J. (Celia Foy Castillo, Chief Judge, and Roderick T. Kennedy, Judge, concurring):
  The Court found that the State Legislature's constitutionally ordained police power includes the regulation of public roads and highways, which mandates that drivers be licensed, insured, and carry evidence of registration. The Court also noted that operating a motor vehicle in New Mexico is a privilege, not a right, and that the Defendant did not demonstrate any exemption from the New Mexico Traffic Code based on his claimed status or the documents he submitted. The Court did not consider the Defendant's remaining contentions due to their unintelligibility.