The New Mexico attorney general had some sharp words late last week about a lawsuit filed by bail bondsmen. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, the AG鈥檚 Office called it 鈥溾�� and 鈥渄esperate.鈥�
Voters changed the state鈥檚 constitution last year so judges can choose whether to set bail or release nonviolent offenders without it. The filed a challenge to the new rules in federal court.
Association President Gerald Madrid said judges in Bernalillo County are releasing too many people without requiring bail. "As long as those that are committing the crimes are given a free pass every time they go to jail, it鈥檚 not a problem for them," he said. "They might be off the street for 24 hours, maybe 48 hours, but they鈥檙e right back out and at it again."
Madrid said he鈥檚 concerned both as a resident who cares about public safety and as a businessman whose industry is under attack by the government.
People who support the new rules say defendants charged with minor offenses shouldn鈥檛 have to wait in jail for weeks before their trial because they can鈥檛 afford bail, and that the bondsmen are just protecting their own financial interests.
