Case Name: STATE of New Mexico, ex rel. HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, Petitioner, v. Liborio GOMEZ, Respondent
Court: Supreme Court of New Mexico
Jurisdiction: New Mexico
Decision Date: 1982-12-28
Citations: 99 N.M. 261
Docket Number: No. 14541
Parties: STATE of New Mexico, ex rel. HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, Petitioner, v. Liborio GOMEZ, Respondent.
Judges: FEDERICI, RIORDAN and STOWERS, JJ., concur.
Reporter: New Mexico Reports
Volume: 99
Pages: 261–269

Head Matter:
657 P.2d 117
STATE of New Mexico, ex rel. HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, Petitioner, v. Liborio GOMEZ, Respondent.
No. 14541.
Supreme Court of New Mexico.
Dec. 28, 1982.
Rehearing Denied Jan. 21, 1983.
Charles McCormack, Southern New Mexico Legal Services, Clovis, for respondent.
Jeff Bingaman, Atty. Gen., Richard Shapiro, Asst. Atty. Gen., Santa Fe, for petitioner.

Opinion:
UPON CERTIORARI
PAYNE, Chief Justice.
This Court granted certiorari in State of New Mexico v. Gomez, in which the Court of Appeals majority opinion ruled to continue welfare benefits that Gomez had been receiving under AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children). Specifically, the court held that Gomez was deprived of due process because his AFDC termination hearing was conducted by telephone and not in the presence of a hearing officer who could observe his demeanor. Judge Wood dissented from the majority opinion holding that Gomez' benefits should be terminated and outlined the reasons. With the exception of minor procedural questions, this case primarily dealt with the issue of whether telephonic hearings in AFDC termination proceedings violate due process. We adopt the dissenting opinion authored by Judge Wood of the Court of Appeals, thereby upholding the constitutionality of the telephonic hearings.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
FEDERICI, RIORDAN and STOWERS, JJ., concur.