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 was found driving a vehicle with methamphetamine in a cigarette package, an expired registration, and an open container of alcohol. Law enforcement discovered the methamphetamine during a search, and the Defendant admitted to smoking the brand of cigarettes where the methamphetamine was found. The vehicle's registration was confirmed to be expired through dispatch.

Procedural History

• Appeal from the District Court of Bernalillo County, Brett R. Loveless, District Judge.

Parties' Submissions

• Appellant: Argued that the evidence was insufficient to prove knowledge of the methamphetamine in the cigarette package, suggesting the possibility that the passenger could have possessed it. Also contended that despite the expired registration, the conviction for driving with an expired registration was not supported by sufficient evidence.
• Appellee: Filed a timely response opposing the Defendant's arguments but did not contest the proposed reversal of the conviction for possession of an open container of alcohol.

Legal Issues

• Whether there was sufficient evidence to support the Defendant's conviction for possession of methamphetamine.
• Whether the Defendant's conviction for driving with an expired registration was supported by sufficient evidence.
• Whether the evidence supported the Defendant's conviction for possession of an open container of alcohol.

Disposition

• Affirmed the Defendant's convictions for possession of methamphetamine and driving with an expired registration.
• Reversed the Defendant's conviction for possession of an open container of alcohol.

Reasons

• Per Michael E. Vigil, J. (James J. Wechsler, J., and Jonathan B. Sutin, J., concurring):
  Possession of Methamphetamine: The court concluded that a rational jury could find the Defendant possessed methamphetamine, based on the evidence presented, including the Defendant's admission related to the cigarette brand and the jury instruction on joint possession (paras 2-3).
  Expired Registration: The court affirmed the conviction for driving with an expired registration, noting the Defendant's admission and the confirmation of the expired registration through dispatch. The court remained unpersuaded by the Defendant's argument against the sufficiency of evidence for this conviction (para 4).
  Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol: The court reversed the conviction for possession of an open container of alcohol due to insufficient evidence, aligning with the proposed disposition which was unopposed by both parties (para 5).