New Mexico high court ruling makes it easier for domestic violence victims to get protection orders

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled Monday that state 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...