HOUSE MEMORIAL 21

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Hector H. Balderas

A MEMORIAL

ENCOURAGING LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE CREATION OF A METHAMPHETAMINE PROSECUTION UNIT IN THE SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT THAT WILL SERVE AS A MODEL FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN NEW MEXICO'S RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO FIGHT METHAMPHETAMINE-RELATED CRIMES AND OFFENDERS.

     WHEREAS, methamphetamine is rapidly becoming the local drug of choice in New Mexico's communities and is having an overwhelming impact on local law enforcement and the criminal justice system; and

     WHEREAS, methamphetamine is a criminal-lifestyle drug and fuels a broad range of felony criminal activity, including automobile theft, forgery, credit-card fraud, identity theft, mail theft, burglary and shoplifting; and

     WHEREAS, local gangs are becoming involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, and methamphetamine offenders are becoming the most prolific repeat offenders in the criminal justice system; and

     WHEREAS, to combat the growing number of methamphetamine rings and repeat offenders, law enforcement agencies and district attorneys in communities across New Mexico need to develop effective ways of sharing information and prioritizing prosecution efforts; and

     WHEREAS, in 2005, the second judicial district attorney, realizing the need for improved communication and information sharing between law enforcement agencies and district attorneys, began holding regular meetings with local law enforcement agencies in Bernalillo, Valencia, Sandoval and Torrance counties to target the methamphetamine epidemic; and

     WHEREAS, the second judicial district attorney also initiated communication with federal law enforcement agencies, including the United States postal inspection service and the secret service, on the methamphetamine problem; and

     WHEREAS, based on input from law enforcement agencies, the second judicial district attorney developed the ability to focus on those repeat offenders linked to methamphetamine-related crimes who are causing the most damage to the community and who are worthy of higher priority prosecution efforts; and

     WHEREAS, in order to effectively handle the growing caseload of methamphetamine offenders, the second judicial district attorney seeks to establish a methamphetamine prosecution unit that works with law enforcement in identifying methamphetamine repeat offenders and screening, expediting and prosecuting methamphetamine-related cases; and

     WHEREAS, the second judicial district attorney has requested funding from the New Mexico legislature in 2006 for the additional attorneys, paralegals and secretaries needed to maximize the prosecution efforts of its methamphetamine prosecution unit; and

     WHEREAS, the second judicial district attorney's methamphetamine prosecution unit and its innovative methods of networking with law enforcement agencies can serve as a model for rural communities in New Mexico that are struggling to fight methamphetamine-related crimes and offenders; and

     WHEREAS, by collaborating with district attorneys in rural areas of New Mexico, the second judicial district attorney can serve as a catalyst for improved cooperation between law enforcement agencies and district attorneys that can result in reducing the harmful impacts of methamphetamine on New Mexico's communities;  

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislature support the creation of a methamphetamine prosecution unit in the second judicial district that will serve as a model for district attorneys and law enforcement agencies in rural areas that are struggling to fight methamphetamine-related crimes and offenders; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the second judicial district attorney be requested to collaborate with district attorneys in New Mexico's rural communities in an effort to help those areas develop effective strategies for facilitating communication with law enforcement agencies and managing their prosecution efforts against methamphetamine offenders; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the second judicial district attorney present a report on the development and status of the methamphetamine prosecution unit and the progress in collaborating with New Mexico's rural communities to the interim legislative courts, corrections and justice committee by November 1, 2006; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the second judicial district attorney and the co-chairs of the interim legislative courts, corrections and justice committee.

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