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.
GÇ£I'm pleased legislators from both chambers were able to work together to get this important reform proposal passed,GÇ¥ Gentry said. GÇ£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.GÇ¥
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
