RELEASING A PERSON WHO’S BEEN LOCKED UP AS A JUVENILE WHEN HE OR SHE IS 21 COULD BECOME A LAW OF THE PAST IN NEW MEXICO. BELEN REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR GREG BACA IS INTRODUCING A BILL THAT WOULD END EARLY RELEASE AT THE AGE OF 21 FOR JUVENILES FOUND GUILTY IN CHILDREN’S COURT OF MURDER OR ANOTHER VIOLENT CRIME. BACA SAYS HIS BILL WOULD STOP AUTOMATIC RELEASE AND LOOK INTO WHETHER REHAB ACTUALLY WORKED FOR THAT OFFENDER OR NOT.
BACA BELIEVES TYING A PERSON’S RELEASE TO WHETHER A JUDGE DEEMS REHAB WAS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT SHOULD MAKE THE OFFENDER MORE WILLING TO TAKE PART IN TREATMENT.
