Committee to hold first meeting to consider pretrial detention procedures
ALBUQUERQUE – A Supreme Court appointed committee will hold its first meeting Friday to begin considering possible changes to procedures for the pretrial detention of people charged with felonies.
DATE: Jan. 17, 2020
TIME: 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
PLACE: State Bar Center, boardroom
5121 Masthead St. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
The Ad Hoc Committee to Review Pretrial Release and Detention Procedures includes representatives from all three branches of government – legislative, executive and judicial. Retired Supreme Court Justice Edward Chávez chairs the committee, which is to submit an initial report to the Court by March 31, 2020.
Under a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2016, district court judges can hold a felony defendant in jail pending trial if prosecutors prove by clear and convincing evidence that the individual is so dangerous that nothing other than detention will reasonably protect public safety. Prosecutors must file a written motion in court to seek a defendant’s detention. Court rules establish procedures for detention requests, including deadlines for a hearing.
Judges have ordered the pretrial detention of about 2,100 defendants statewide during the past two fiscal years.
The meeting agenda is below:
Agenda
Ad Hoc Committee on Pretrial Detention Meeting January 17, 2020 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. State Bar Center, Boardroom AGENDA
I. Introductions
II. Description by Chair of the charge of the committee
a. Process to be followed in recommending rules to the NMSC
III. Membership discussions re concerns and recommendations for rules changes affecting pretrial detention a. Those who submitted comments before the agenda circulated in lastname alphabetical order: i. Jonathan Ibarra ii. Judge Jim Martin iii. Representative Rehm b. Others
IV. Schedule next meeting for February 26, 2020 and set time.
V. Adjourn
