Enchantment State News

Attorney General Raúl Torrez, in collaboration with key community stakeholders, has proposed a set of legislative priorities to be considered by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham at the upcoming special session. The initiatives are designed to enhance law enforcement capabilities, clarify Geographical Positioning System (GPS) Data and protect crime victims’ rights throughout New Mexico.

“We cannot afford to miss the opportunity presented by the upcoming special session to improve public safety in New Mexico. The stakes are too high,” said AG Torrez. “These requests are vital steps towards improving our criminal justice system. I am confident that they will garner bipartisan support and can be swiftly enacted to enhance the safety and security of all New Mexicans.”

Community stakeholders and leaders echoed these legislative priorities at a press conference. Among them were pretrial detention reform advocate Angel Alire, Farmington Police Department Chief Steve Hebbe, and Executive Director of the New Mexico Victim’s Rights Project Linda Atkinson.

The first priority is the implementation of rapid DNA analysis technology for law enforcement agencies. Recent data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program reveals that approximately 75% of violent crimes in New Mexico remain unsolved. Rapid DNA analysis can deliver preliminary results in as little as 90 minutes, which could expedite investigations, reduce backlog, and increase clearance rates for violent crimes.

The second priority is clarifying Section 31-3-12 to ensure public access to records of violations of conditions of pretrial release. Current interpretations of this section have restricted access to this information. By redefining GPS data within Section 31-3-12, records related to pretrial conditions and compliance could become accessible to the public.

The third priority is establishing an Office of the Crime Victim Advocate within the New Mexico Department of Justice. This office would be dedicated to ensuring that victims’ rights are respected and enforced statewide.