44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO COURTS; PROVIDING ADEQUATE STAFFING AND RESOURCES FOR PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND PROSECUTORS WHEN A NEW CRIMINAL COURT JUDGESHIP IS CREATED.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. CREATION OF NEW CRIMINAL COURT JUDGESHIP--ADEQUATE STAFFING AND RESOURCES FOR PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND PROSECUTORS.--

A. When the legislature creates a new criminal court judgeship in the supreme court, court of appeals, district court, metropolitan court or magistrate court, necessary staffing and resources shall be provided to the public defender department, the appropriate district attorney's office and the office of the attorney general so that those agencies may adequately serve the new criminal court.

B. The administrative office of the courts shall work with the public defender department, the administrative office of the district attorneys and the office of the attorney general to ensure that a unified proposal for necessary staffing and resources is presented to the legislature when it considers the creation of a new criminal court judgeship.

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 1999.