AN IMPORTANT DECISION FROM THE NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT ON WEDNESDAY. THE COURT DECIDED THAT IT WILL GIVE GUIDANCE ON HOW THE NEW NO-BOND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SHOULD BE APPLIED AT DETENTION HEARINGS. THE AMENDMENT ALLOWS JUDGES TO HOLD DEFENDANTS UNTIL TRIAL AND NOT HAVE TO SET ANY KIND OF CONDITIONS FOR RELEASE.
THE COURT’S RULING WAS SUPPORTED BY THE A-G’S OFFICE. SPOKESMAN JAMES HALLINAN… SAYS THEY’RE GLAD THE HIGH COURT AGREES WITH A-G HECTOR BALDERAS’S POSITION ON THIS AND WILL GIVE COURTS STATEWIDE GUIDANCE ON THE AMENDMENT.
IN SEVERAL RECENT CASES THE JUDGE WANTED THE PROSECUTOR TO CALL WITNESSES AND NOT JUST USE COURT DOCUMENTS AT DETENTION HEARINGS. THE SUPREME COURT RULING SHOULD CLARIFY THE RULES RELATED TO THE NO-BOND HOLD PROCESS.
