Neilthecop,
You are really missing what you have been told. It is obvious you should not be pursuing this pro se. The fact you are asking what you just asked shows you have no clue as to what the rules of procedure require of you. Have you even read your courts ruled of procedure? If not, you really need to.
Unless you simply enjoy doing this regardless of the outcome I suggest you either continue your search for an attorney to represent you or just drop the suit. You are simply not prepared to take this on on your own.
A question though; have you asked attorneys to take this on a contingency basis or an hourly basis?
Unfortunately I have still been unable to find an attorney, no matter the payment method, that will take my case, in fact very few even return calls or e-mails, and the moment I tell them I have an issue with a police department they don't want anything to do with my case. This will possibly explain why I am reduced to asking such questions on a forum, even one who's only response seems to be "Find an attorney".
As a former auto technician I try and help out on an automotive forum when I can, yet at no time have I ever responded to a question by saying "Take it to a garage", so perhaps this sort of response is unique to the legal profession.
I have the New Mexico civil rules of procedure and have put in the obvious search criteria of a time limit, that it you have a finite time to file and or respond to something. I did find that the defendants have to request discovery, I don't have to offer it
Rule 1-026 A. Discovery methods. Parties may obtain discovery by any of the following methods: depositions; interrogatories; requests for production or to enter land; physical and mental examinations and requests for admission.
But nothing on any requirement to file a rebuttal to the answer to my complaint.
I'm aware that you think I'm a sort of Don Quixote and all my efforts will come to nothing, but as Tom Petty wrote, "You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won't back down"
I intend to take this case to the bitter end as I still believe I have been wronged, and justice is supposed to be on my side. Yes, even at my great age I still cling to that belief.