From The New Mexico House Republican Caucus:
Today the Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 1 as amended by the House of Representatives by a unanimous vote of 36 to 0.
Senate Approves Bail Bond Reform Proposal
Santa Fe, NM – Today the Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 1 as amended by the House of Representatives by a unanimous vote of 36 to 0. The proposal to reform New Mexico’s bail bond system will now be placed on the November ballot for voter approval.
“I’m pleased legislators from both chambers were able to work together to get this important reform proposal passed,” Gentry said. “Judges need this ability to keep known criminal threats in jail and away from the public. At the same time, giving indigent non-violent defendants an avenue to petition for release from jail without posting bond will reduce costs for local governments. I am optimistic that the voters will approve it in the next election.”
SJR 1 seeks to amend the New Mexico State Constitution to give judges the authority to keep violent defendants in jail pending trial. It would also allow non-violent defendants who are not a flight risk to petition the court for relief from bail requirements