A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE NEW MEXICO ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AND THE NEW MEXICO MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONDUCT A STATEWIDE STUDY OF THE ISSUANCE, DELIVERY, ENTRY, SERVICE AND HOUSING OF WARRANTS.

     WHEREAS, thousands of warrants are issued by the courts of New Mexico every year; and

     WHEREAS, those warrants are entered into the New Mexico criminal information center by dispatchers throughout the state; and

     WHEREAS, the warrants issued by the courts of this state are housed in both consolidated and non-consolidated dispatch centers; and

     WHEREAS, there are considerable differences in how warrants are handled in different parts of the state; and

     WHEREAS, a statewide study on the process of issuance, delivery, entry into the New Mexico criminal information center and service and clearance of warrants would help determine if changes are needed; and

     WHEREAS, a study should include the manner in which the warrants are housed in consolidated dispatch centers and non-consolidated dispatch centers;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the administrative office of the courts, the department of public safety, the New Mexico association of counties and the New Mexico municipal league be requested to elect a chairperson and study the issuance, delivery, entry into the New Mexico criminal information center, service and housing of all warrants issued by courts in the state of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include representation of dispatchers, tribes and pueblos, magistrate judges, municipal judges, district judges, the New Mexico sheriffs' and police association and the New Mexico association of chiefs of police; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the administrative office of the courts, the department of public safety, the New Mexico association of counties and the New Mexico municipal league determine what, if any, changes are needed; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the administrative office of the courts, the department of public safety, the New Mexico association of counties and the New Mexico municipal league report their findings to the appropriate interim legislative committee no later than November 1, 2005; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the administrative office of the courts, the department of public safety, the New Mexico association of counties and the New Mexico municipal league.