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As part of a compromise, language was dropped that would have allowed nonviolent indigent offenders to be released without posting bail. Instead, they will have to file a petition with a judge to ask for release. Continue Reading
Let me tell you about the “more money for defense lawyers” provision in a proposed constitutional amendment making its way through the Legislature. Continue Reading
Several lawmakers are meeting behind the scenes to try to hammer out a compromise over competing pieces of legislation that would amend the state constitution to reform the bail system in New Mexico. Continue Reading
If the Legislature OKs the proposed amendment to the N.M. Constitution, voters would have the final say in November. Continue Reading
The Corrections Department recently instituted a week-long ban on visitors to the prisons in order to ease the workload on officers. A spokeswoman said the department likely will impose the ban once a month until the department can hire and keep more guards. Continue Reading
On Monday, the Martinez Administration continued defending its 2013 decision to freeze funding to 15 behavioral health organizations — even as the attorney general announced that his agency had cleared almost all of them of criminal wrongdoing. Continue Reading
Consistent enforcement, with some improvement in current laws, will help reduce the number of alcohol-related fatalities, experts say. Lawmakers should also fund rehabilitation services because prison time alone won’t cure alcoholics, they say. Continue Reading
While there was little doubt that the Republican-controlled House would pass the measures, the real question is how they will do in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Continue Reading
Much of the rhetoric this week has been harsher and more partisan. Continue Reading
The House Education Committee on Wednesday voted in favor of a bill that would require all school employees in New Mexico to get a background check with fingerprinting. Continue Reading
After a rancorous and wide-ranging debate, state senators voted 29-9 Tuesday for a proposed state constitutional amendment that would allow judges to deny bail to defendants they consider dangerous and to release from jail nonviolent prisoners who simply lack the money to post bail. Continue Reading
The remainder of the 2016 legislative session is likely to be dominated by the Democrat-controlled Senate stalling or killing many of the governor’s pet bills — and House Republicans blasting the Democrats for doing so. Continue Reading
More than 60 percent of New Mexicans support legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana, according to results of a statewide poll released Thursday. Continue Reading
Here’s ProPublica’s reading guide to the Planned Parenthood videos and what has happened since. Continue Reading
As the New Mexico Legislature spends much of its time debating bills that would create more crimes, increase prison time and, in some cases, take sentencing decisions out of the hands of judges, other states are moving in the other direction. Continue Reading