IN NEW MEXICO, CAR THEFT CAN GET A PERSON UP TO 18 MONTHS IN PRISON. BUT NOW, METRO COURT IN ALBUQUERQUE HAS STARTED AN ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING PROGRAM. ANY NON VIOLENT OFFENDERS ARRESTED FOR STEALING A CAR WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECEIVE AT LEAST 15 MONTHS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT TO AVOID JAIL TIME.
THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTS IT’S SIMILAR TO OTHER ALTERNATIVE COURTS IN THE SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT, LIKE THE DWI RECOVERY PROGRAM.
