NMCDLA recommends to the NM Supreme Court that criminal justice participants immediately take steps to identify vulnerable people in the jails who can be released in this time of emergency.
Jennifer Burrill, Vice president of the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, took a moment to answer questions on the issue and express some concerns via phone interview.
40 years post-NM prison riot, conditions still cause brutality and call for attention. NMCDLA’s past president, Matt Coyte, listened to the KANW and Albuquerque Journal panel of lawyers, corrections and journalists discussing the riot, its anniversary and current state of affairs and responded.
After decades of supporting the same failed policies, no evidence shows proposed “tough on crime” legislation will reduce crime in New Mexico. NMCDLA and partners with the NMSafe Coalition, including NMCDLA Vice President, Jennifer Burrill, encourage lawmakers to look at alternatives and follow the trends in other states.
The Santa Fe New Mexican recently reported on dozens of issues with the Santa Fe Police Department’s handling and storage of evidence. NMCDLA’s vice president commented that “The problem is we still don’t know how many cases are affected.”
