Courts

Fentanyl, Juvenile Crime Bills Shot Down In House Committee

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HB 274 Sponsor Rep. Elaine Sena Cortez, R-Hobbs

By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA
The Santa Fe New Mexican

During debates on the crime package passed last month — which bundled together several tough-on-crime measures but which critics said was inadequate — lawmakers said they were just getting started.

But Thursday evening, a panel known for killing Republican-sponsored legislation shot down two bills held up by GOP lawmakers, prosecutors and Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham as ways of tackling some of the state’s greatest public safety issues.

House Bills 134 and 274, which respectively would Read More

Legislative Roundup: 16 Days Remaining In Session

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks to people assembled in the Rotunda at the state Capitol in honor of Women’s History Month Thursday, March 6, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks to people assembled in the Rotunda at the state Capitol in honor of Women’s History Month Thursday, March 6, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican

The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff:

State’s court highest upholds most of governor’s emergency orders on guns, drug use: The New Mexico Supreme Court on Thursday ruled Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s emergency orders Read More

District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer To Retire End Of May

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District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer tells prosecutor Kari Morrisey that she isn’t obligated to call herself as a witness in July 2024. Courtesy/NMSC

NMSC News:

SANTA FE — District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer will retire at the end of May after serving 15 years on the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of New Mexico,” Judge Marlowe Sommer said. “However, it is time to step away from the hectic schedule of court business and enjoy retirement. During my time on the bench, I have admired and deeply appreciated those who work so hard each Read More

Court Implements New Behavioral Health Treatment Program In Santa Fe, Rio Arriba And Los Alamos Counties

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NMSC News:

SANTA FE — People who repeatedly fail to adhere to voluntary mental health treatment may be ordered by a court to receive outpatient treatment under a newly implemented program serving Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties.

The Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program seeks to help people who repeatedly have been hospitalized or jailed because they do not participate in treatment on a voluntary basis and as a result exhibit violent behavior or threaten harm to themselves or others. 

Under the program, family members, behavioral health providers and others can request Read More

New Mexico Governor Signs Landmark Public Safety And Behavioral Health Bills

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday signed legislation to improve public safety and behavioral health services across New Mexico. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Thursday signed legislation to improve public safety and behavioral health services across New Mexico, marking the halfway point of the 60-day legislative session with a landmark accomplishment on behalf of New Mexicans.

“These bills represent a significant milestone for both behavioral health services and criminal justice reform in New Mexico,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham, who was joined Read More

Op-Ed: Reform The Medical Malpractice System To Address The Doctor Shortage

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By FRED NATHAN
Executive Director
Think New Mexico

New Mexico’s lawyer-centered medical malpractice system, with no statutory caps on attorney’s fees or punitive damages and the lowest standard in the country for awarding punitive damages, is out of balance. It is driving up medical malpractice rates for New Mexico doctors to nearly twice what doctors pay in neighboring states.

That in turn is causing doctors to retire early or leave the state. In fact, New Mexico is the only state in the nation that experienced a loss of practicing physicians between 2019 and 2024. This is why so many New Mexicans Read More

Twenty-nine Mexican Cartel Members Extradited To U.S. Including Rafael Caro Quintero Who Murdered DEA Agent Kiki Camerena In 1985

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Cartel boss Rafael Caro Quintero. 2016/FBI mugshot

White House News:

Thursday night, 29 Mexican Cartel members were extradited to the United States. President Trump directed the Department of Justice and the Department of State to make this happen, and Attorney General Bondi and Secretary of State Rubio worked to get it done.

The group of cartel members, who will soon arrive on American soil, includes one of the most evil cartel bosses in the world, Rafael Caro Quintero, who tortured and murdered DEA Agent Kiki Camerena in 1985.

The Trump Administration is declaring these “thugs” as terrorists, Read More

New Mexico State Police Arrest Deming Couple For Abuse

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NMSP News:

DEMING — Oct. 23, 2024, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau began investigating allegations of child abuse to multiple children in Deming.

Agents learned that a report was made to CYFD, regarding abuse of a child and multiple siblings. Throughout the investigation, agents learned that multiple minor children were living in horrific conditions, and sleeping outdoors, creating a risk to their health and safety. The investigation also revealed that at least one of the children was sexually abused.

Agents identified Melvin Cordell, 50, and Valerie Cordell, Read More

FBI: Woman Faces Charges Of Involuntary Manslaughter

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Casamero Lake woman faces federal charges for involuntary manslaughter following a fatal car crash on tribal lands in New Mexico last summer.

According to the indictment, Aug. 6, 2024, Debbie Rojack, 45, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, killed John Doe by operating a motor vehicle with disregard for human life when she knew and should have known that her conduct imperiled the lives of others.

Rojack will remain in third party custody on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted, Rojack faces up to 8 years in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Read More

Democratic Leaders Say Children, Youth And Families Dept. Reform, Crime To Be Priorities In Second Half Of Session

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Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, speaks at a news conference on the House floor on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to discuss the progress lawmakers have made in addressing crime and behavioral health. Nathan Brown/The New Mexican

Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, speaks at a news conference on the House floor on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to discuss the progress lawmakers have made in addressing crime and behavioral health. Nathan Brown/The New Mexican

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, speaks at a news conference on the House floor on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to discuss the Read More