2010 Annual Report

OFFICE OF THE
SECOND JUDICIAL
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
KARI BRANDENBURG
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
2010
ANNUAL REPORT
Office of the Second Judicial District Attorney
Kari Brandenburg
District Attorney
520 Lomas Boulevard, Northwest
Albuquerque, New Mexico
87102
(505) 841-7100
The Second Judicial District of New Mexico includes all of Bernalillo County, and serves a population
of approximately 635,000 residents.
There are fourteen District Attorneys throughout the state. Their jurisdictions correspond to the
judicial districts. Two independently elected District Attorneys serve the Eleventh Judicial District.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome
Mission & Vision
Highlights from 2010
By the Numbers
Partners in Our Community
Partners in the Criminal Justice System
Budget
Administration
Communication, Information & Outreach
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Case Profile: State v. Michael Astorga
Gang Crimes
Investigators
Special Proceedings
Victim Impact Program
Community Crimes
Organized Crime & Public Corruption
Crimes Against Children
Felony DWI
Issue Profile: Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence
Economic Crimes & ‘Mether’ Initiative
Program Profile: ‘Mether’ Initiative
Grand Jury Division
Alternative Prosecution Programs
Program Profile: ‘Bad Check Restitution Program’
Violent Crimes
Juvenile Crimes
Metropolitan Court
Our Office Online
References & Resources
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WELCOME!
When I took office in 2001, I had three primary goals:
-To raise the morale of the staff and support them to achieve their full potential;
-To increase the office’s effectiveness in prosecuting those who violate our laws; and
-To operate the office in a manner that restores the public’s faith in the integrity of the
criminal justice system.
I was pleased to report previously that we had made tremendous advancements on all fronts. However, the
past 18 months have been challenging as our budget continues to be cut as demands for our resources
increase.
-We were on the road to making progress in seeing that our employees were paid competitive
wages. The financial crisis has halted our forward movement. In fact, employees have not received much needed cost of living
increases, nor raises. Many have accepted additional work and responsibilities without increased compensation. Their dedication
and commitment to getting the job done is our greatest resource.
-We continue to pursue training opportunities throughout the country to ensure that our employees develop top skills. In tough
economic times, training is often the first to go. But, every effort is being made to seek out free and low-cost training opportunities.
-We have instituted in-house programs, including the annual June Jubilee (a phrase coined by the late Joe Paone), an event designed
to offer training opportunities to our employees and celebrate the work they do on behalf of the community. We are able to provide our
employees with the in-house training to meet all of their CLE requirements.
Recently, positions throughout the office have remained vacant to better manage the budget crisis. Though our work continues to increase, we
continue to successfully keep public safety a top priority by being creative and working smarter.
-Programs that fast track cases, saving money and hold the offender accountable, are operating at full capacity. It is hoped they can
be expanded to further increase efficiency.
-Our public website is now available and will provide information and assistance to those who need it.
-We work in partnership with law enforcement and community groups to identify and target individuals victimizing our community.
These partnerships bring more resources to the table and diminish the waste of duplicated efforts.
-We remain active within our community, keeping an ongoing dialogue open, attempting to inform, educate and remain accountable to
those we serve.
I am honored to be Bernalillo County’s District Attorney and proud to work in one of the best district attorney’s offices in the country. Among our
ranks are some of the finest, most dedicated and skilled individuals around.
In this report, I am pleased to share with you the many successes which resulted from the hard work of our team over the past year.
Very truly yours,
Kari Brandenburg
District Attorney
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Mission Statement
The Office of the Second Judicial District Attorney, on behalf of the State of New Mexico,
is responsible for the effective and efficient prosecution
of criminal cases assigned to or affecting its jurisdiction,
thus assuring a safer community and greater quality of life for Bernalillo County citizens.
Our Vision
To prosecute effectively on behalf of the citizens of Bernalillo County;
To have positive, productive and well supported employees;
To work hand-in-hand with the community, prioritizing issues that are vital to public safety; and
To restore public trust in the criminal justice system
With almost 300 employees and a caseload of approximately 30,000 cases, the District Attorney’s Office
in Bernalillo County is easily the largest law firm in the state.
For our team, our job is about more than simply prosecuting cases. It is about making a difference.
Victim Advocates provide support for victims during times of crisis and uncertainty, lessening the trauma
that often accompanies victimization. Our alternative sentencing programs help first-time non-violent
offenders avoid felony convictions, while providing them the support and structure they need to overcome
challenges in their lives. The staff spends countless hours networking with community organizations to
bring attention to social issues, including violence against women and animal rights.
We are proud of the work we do, and the difference we make in our community. Through this annual
report, we want to open our doors and share our successes and challenges with those we serve.
Kari Brandenburg
District Attorney
Administrative Assistant
Public Information Officer
Michelle Contreras
Patrick Davis
Deborah DePalo
Gary Cade
Mark Drebing
Nivia Thames
Chief Deputy DA
Chief Deputy DA
Chief Deputy DA
District Office Manager
Violent Crimes Division
Investigators
Metropolitan Court Division
Human Resources Division
Information Technology
Division
Gang Division
Process Locate Division
Administration Division
Records & Reception
Division
Victim Impact
Felony DWI Division
Fiscal Division
Special Proceedings Division
Community Crimes Division
Grand Jury Division
Juvenile Division
Economic Crimes & ‘Mether’
Division
Crimes Against Children
Division
Felony Domestic Violence
Division
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Purchasing Division
HIGHLIGHTS
We launched our first public website in 2010! Our site
includes information for victims on rights and resources,
allows the public to link to court records with real-time
information on case statuses and includes a newsroom with
information and news releases about topics of interest in the
community. We are working hard to keep the public informed
and to remain transparent and accountable to the community
we serve!
Visit us online at http://www.da.state.nm.us/districts/second
The Albuquerque Bar Association in December recognized District
Attorney Kari Brandenburg as the “Outstanding Lawyer of the Year”.
She was also recognized by The New Mexico Narcotics Officers
Association as the “Prosecutor of the Year.”
In 2010, the New Mexico District Attorneys Association recognized Jerry Jaramillo as Investigator
of the Year.
In 2010, we fully implemented a Narcotics Related Violence Prosecution program, focusing new efforts
towards identifying and prosecuting border-related violence cases in Bernalillo County and reported the
disruption of over 250 drug trafficking groups operating in Bernalillo County.
Our staff completed over 800 hours of in-house training, saving taxpayers $40,000 in travel and
tuition and ensuring that each of our attorneys has the opportunity to receive top-notch training on
contemporary issues in the law.
We reached out to over 5,600 victims of enumerated crimes in 2010, offering support services to assist
them in navigating the criminal justice system, and in recovering from the incidents that brought them into
the system.
Our continued participation in the Albuquerque Police Department’s “Problem Oriented Policing”
program drew national attention in 2009 when the program was named one of the best policing
programs in the nation by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Thanks to our
community outreach efforts, police officers, neighborhood association members and business owners
and managers were able to attend over 700 hearings that directly affected their neighborhoods. Keeping
these stakeholders involved in the process is key to ensuring that the court recognizes the impact
offenders have on our community.
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BY THE NUMBERS
Our Cases
2010
In the Courtroom
Budget
29,365 Cases Referred from Law Enforcement
$16,100,000 Overall Budget
$16,057,900 Personnel Salaries & Benefits (96.8%)
$531,000 Operations Budget (2.93%)
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36
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Our Team
The Breakdown
Cases referred and screened
Prosecutors
Prosecution Specialists
Victim Advocates
Investigators
Support Staff
236
803
281
2018
5715
1424
15
868
305
605
91
348
486
5442
93
340
1140
3883
3558
764
66
884
Outside the Courtroom
840 Continuing Legal Education Credits
Provided In-House
$40,000 Estimated CLE Tuition Costs Saved
Performance
330 Average Attorney Caseload
11.7 Average months between case filing &
disposition
0.0005% Percent of cases dismissed under the
six-month rule
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Adult Sex Cases
Child Abuse Cases
Child Sex Cases
Crimes Against Persons
Driving While Intoxicated (Misdemeanor)
Drug - Possession Cases
Drug - Prescription Cases
Drug - Trafficking Cases
DWI - Felony
Felony Domestic Violence
Homicide
Other Misdemeanor
Other Felony
Misdemeanor Domestic Violence
Non-Violent Felony
Out of State Fugitives / Extraditions
Crimes Against Peace Officers
Petitions to Revoke Probation
Property Crime Cases
Traffic Citations
Vehicular Homicide Cases
White Collar Crimes
PARTNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY
cycle of victimization and violence.
We continue our support and involvement with the Albuquerque
Family Advocacy Center. The center brings together law
enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates and community
organizations together under one roof with a common purpose: to
provide victims of interpersonal crimes the support they need to
address and move beyond the issues in their lives that perpetuate a
Our attorneys and victim advocates meet with victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and similar
crimes to explain the legal system and to serve as a liaison between the legal system and support
organizations providing them with assistance.
Taking this extra step to reach out to victims continues to keep them involved in the criminal justice
process, while simultaneously supporting their transition from abusive environments.
Our staff also collected donated over 50 teddy bears and stuffed animals that were given
to children involved in tragic incidents in our community. These comforting toys provide
comfort in very confusing and scary times and help children cope during times of crisis.
Members of our staff also volunteer with community organizations and non-profits to serve our
community outside of the courtroom. In 2010, our employees volunteered their time to support a
number of community organizations, including:
Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Albuquerque Christian School
Boy Scouts of America
SANE
La Familia
The 100 Club
Employees also serve on advisory committees and boards of directors for committees and organizations
enhancing the quality of legal and criminal justice services in our state. Those groups include:
Albuquerque Family Advocacy Center Advisory Board
State Bar of New Mexico, Young Lawyer’s Division
Middle Rio Grande Valley Task Force
New Mexico Gang Task Force
FBI National Academy Associates
Financial Institutions Security Officers Association (FISOA)
Albuquerque Retailers Assets Protection Association (ARAPA)
Intimate Partner Death Review Team
Child Fatality Review Team
Metropolitan Court Homeless Court Program
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PARTNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY
Joe Paone’s “Kids Against Violence” Art Project
Twice a year, students from various Albuquerque area schools are invited to create artwork promoting anti-gang,
anti-drug and anti-violence messages. Staff of the District Attorney’s Office then “adopt” the student’s artwork
and have it framed and prepared for display in the DA’s Office.
Students meet their “sponsors” to unveil their framed work that is
then proudly displayed throughout the office during a tour and
reception for the children, their parents and the public.
This project, known as the “Paone Project: Kids Against
Violence” Art Project is an important part of the District Attorney’s
Office’s community outreach. The artwork is creative and
enlightening, and serves as a daily reminder for prosecutors and
staff of just how important our work is in the community. The
program also provides students with an outlet to express their perspective on violence and to gain a better insight
into the criminal justice system.
The project was started as a tribute to Joe Paone, a lifelong prosecutor whose work on behalf of the citizens of
Bernalillo County inspired so many in our office.
This year, students from San Jose Elementary and Cochiti Elementary schools joined us for this year’s
event and their artwork proudly hung in our halls for all to see.
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PARTNERS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
The Office of the District Attorney cannot accomplish its mission without working in partnership with the
multitude of agencies and individuals across the criminal justice system.
From law enforcement to prosecutors to the courts to victim services, each of us has a
unique role that supports the others.
In 2010, we continued our commitment to strengthening these relationships in order to
provide safer neighborhoods in Bernalillo County.
Here are just a few of the initiatives we undertook to ensure that we are equal partners
in the criminal justice system:
In cooperation with Bernalillo County, we initiated a new program to identify high-risk probation
violators and prioritize those probation violation prosecutions. This cooperative venture brings
high-risk probationers before the court more quickly, saving the taxpayers valuable dollars
associated with incarceration before adjudication, and holding these high-risk offenders
accountable more quickly.
In cooperation with the Metropolitan Court, we continued to provide prosecutors to aid in the
‘Homeless Court Program’, an alternative prosecution program allowing homeless and transient
defendants to enter community assistance programs in lieu of a criminal conviction for minor
offenses. This program helps to address the underlying problems associated with transient crime,
and seeks to reduce recidivism.
In cooperation with local law enforcement, we initiated new Racketeering prosecutions against
groups of criminals who band together to victimize our community. By working with law
enforcement to identify and hold accountable every member of a criminal enterprise, defendants
are receiving longer sentences.
In partnership with our neighborhoods and businesses, we reach out to leaders in these
communities to inform them of the status of cases affecting them. We work to give them a voice
during the sentencing of these defendants so that judges can hear the full impact a defendant’s
crime has on the community, not just individual victims.
Together, we are making a difference!
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BUDGET
2010 proved to be a challenging year for budgets for families,
businesses and government.
Despite demands on resources, we had to find ways to reduce
our budget in line with legislative cuts totaling 10.1% since
FY2009. These cuts accounted for over $1,800,000 in funds, with
over $1,100,000 in just the past year, while still living up to our
responsibility to promote public safety through responsible
prosecution of every viable case.
Operating
Expenses
1%
Contractual
Services
2%
Personnel
Services
97%
From the beginning, we were committed to keeping our employees on the job; furloughs were off the
table. But, with 96.8% of our budget dedicated exclusively to providing salaries and benefits for
employees there was little way to avoid impacting our employees. Every 1% of cuts to our budget
equates to almost 24 hours of pay for our employees.
Thanks to prudent fiscal planning, our office was one of the few state agencies to keep every
employee fully employed during FY10! Keeping this commitment to our employees meant finding
other ways to cut costs.
Reductions in budgets for courts and public defenders have impacted our office as well. Filing routine
motions and indictments can be timely with reduced court hours and staff. The costs of transcripts, travel
for witnesses and fees charge by expert witnesses can become highly contentious.
2011 Projections
According to a 2008 independent study, our budget provides only 80% of the staff and resources necessary for an office of
our size and caseload. With recent budget cuts, that we are now funded at less than 70% of identified need.
The State’s 2011 Budget Projections continue to include additional cuts to agency budgets across the state. Having
eliminated all non-essential operating costs in FY09, additional cuts imposed in 2010 were realized by reducing personnel
costs, meaning freezing new hirings and eliminating any increases in employee pay and benefits. FY11 cuts of $1.1 M are
more than we have experienced in the past 3 years combined.
We continue to commit to preventing layoffs in our office, but new strategies are needed. Temporary funding sources,
such as grants, supporting innovative programs and salaries for over a dozen employees are set to expire in 2011. As we
seek outside funding sources, we are also looking at internal procedures. Delaying hirings to replace vacancies and
freezing hirings for vacancies help to make up the difference, but continue to raise the workload on staff in the office.
Ensuring that we can keep on protecting the citizens of Bernalillo County will remain a priority; though doing so in a climate
of diminishing resources remains a major challenge.
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ADMINISTRATION
No organization can function without professional support from experts who deal with finance,
communications, grant management, human resources and other administrative tasks.
Although they often work behind the scenes, their work is vital to our success, and 2010 proved to be one
of the most challenging yet for those who provide these critical services. Fiscal restraints posed new
resource challenges, while our workload continued to rise. Staff in the administrative departments found
some innovative ways to save money while ensuring a continuity of service.
Fiscal Services Division
Our fiscal services staff works tirelessly to ensure that operations could continue, without affecting public
safety. The talent amassed in this division was put to the test as they examined every expenditure to
identify savings in this last year. Led by District Office Manager Nivia Thames, the team thought “outside
the box” and realized some impressive savings by renegotiating new service contracts with local vendors,
reducing non-essential travel and training and increasing our use of electronic communication to limit
costs associated with printing, copying and mailing.
Together, they achieved an almost unattainable goal. Their efforts in the face of this seemingly
insurmountable challenge cannot be overstated. Moreover, they did it all while attending to their regular
duties, including purchasing, procurement, accounting and general services, which are so crucial to
keeping our office operating.
Human Resources Division
With almost 300 employees in our office, providing human resources
support is no small task. Our HR team manages benefits for each of
our employees and their families, in addition to hosting employee
wellness and support events throughout the year.
health.
In 2010, our HR Division hosted blood drives, and brought benefit
providers to the office to discuss issues relating to public
transportation,
benefits,
retirement
planning and
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ADMINISTRATION
Information Services Division
The staff of our Information Services Division (ISD) provides critical services that keep us operating, both
in the office and in the courtroom.
As the largest District Attorney’s Office in the state, we employ our own computer and IT services. In
2010, the division’s five staff maintained over 300 desktop computers with an average age of over 5
years, as well as servers and switches for a vast internal network, which has not been updated since
initial installation 10 years ago. The team also maintains our own internal website and email servers, in
addition to providing courtroom support for the increasingly complex array of technology services we use
to present our cases to judges and juries. IT staff prepare video and other technology dependent
evidence presentations in the courtroom, and for training sessions.
IT staff worked with partners across the criminal justice system to implement an automated victim
notification system, providing victims of domestic violence and other enumerated crimes with real-time
notice when offenders are released from jail and when new court settings are scheduled.
As we move towards a more efficient and information-based court system, the challenges for the division
continue to rise. Additional cuts to funds in 2011 are already presenting new challenges to the team and
we are working to ensure that we continue to have and maintain the electronic resources we need to
serve the citizens of Bernalillo County.
Records Division
One of the most daunting tasks in any judicial office involves records management. In our office, which
handles approximately 30,000 cases a year, the task can become almost overwhelming. This is
especially true when you consider that each has different storage and retention requirements, some
mandating that we maintain records for up to 80 years or more!
Despite this challenging task, our Records Management Division efficiently enters, files and archives tens
of thousands of records each year.
Declining archive room in the state, coupled with cases that grow in size
and complexity continue to present new challenges for this division.
With such a large workload, moving from a paper to a digital archiving
system remains one of our top goals in the coming years.
Habitual Offenders & Priors Unit
Felons with repeat offenses may be eligible for enhanced sentences under New Mexico law. The Priors
Unit researches these special cases and determines an offender's true criminal history through court
records. Repeat offenders deserve our best efforts, and we will not disappoint them.
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COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION & OUTREACH
Public Information Officer
Not only are we the busiest District Attorney’s Office in the state, but we live and
work in the largest media-market as well. Many of the cases we prosecute draw
public attention, and because the Albuquerque media market reaches all of New
Mexico, we are often called on to help explain the court system and the law to the
public.
In 2010 alone, we responded to over 2,000 media requests for information from across the world. Media
reports about our cases appeared in local and state publications, as well as national publications such as
the New York Times and on CNN, as well as appearing in newspapers and on television reports in New
Zealand, England and Canada.
Patrick Davis, our Public Information Officer, prepares News Releases and responds to media inquiries
on a daily basis. Our office is also embracing social media, by integrating Twitter and Facebook
applications into our communications strategy to reach a broader audience.
Additionally, District Attorney Brandenburg has a monthly television show, “Full Disclosure with the
District Attorney” where she hosts guests to discuss timely topics of legal interest. The show is broadcast
to local Comcast cable subscribers several times a month.
District Attorney Kari Brandenburg hosts regular news conferences where we focus on a timely aspect of
the law, and seek to better educate the media and public about issues in that realm. Among the topics
covered this year: Domestic Violence, Holiday Crime, Gang and Racketeering Crimes, and DWI
Prosecutions. Opening the office to the public through these news conferences ensures that we remain
engaged with the public, and provide transparency in our work – each of these is critical to maintaining
the confidence and respect of the public we serve.
Community-Based Prosecution Office
Our office is committed to working with the community to develop solutions. Each one of us can be a part
of the solution.
Bill Hoch, our Community Outreach Coordinator, takes the lead on many of
these issues. He works with community groups, law enforcement and business
associations to connect organizations with the criminal justice system. Our
efforts are instrumental in ensuring that concerned citizens appear in court to
support prosecutions of offenders who impact their neighborhoods. Thanks to
community support, the courts are seeing the impact criminals are having
across our community.
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CASE PROFIILE :
State v. Michael Paul Astorga
Murder, Tampering with Evidence &
Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
Bernalillo County Deputy
James McGrane was shot and
killed while making a traffic
stop on Highway 337 at 12:46
am on March 22, 2006.
The shooter, Michael Astorga,
soon fled to Mexico but was
apprehended after a weeks-long
manhunt.
Prosecutors and investigators spent thousands of
hours pouring over evidence and transcripts
preparing for
this case. Years of motions and hearings regarding
evidence, witnesses and even the death penalty
finally culminated in May, 2010 when the trial
formally began.
District Attorney Kari Brandenburg was joined in the courtroom by Deputy DA Troy Davis. The
three-week long trial included testimony from investigators, eyewitnesses as well as numerous
alibi witnesses who testified for Astorga.
McGrane’s family and fellow deputies were present for each moment of the hearing, supported by
Victim Advocates.
At 2:30 p.m. on Friday June 4, a jury reached a unanimous verdict convicting Astorga on all
counts, including the first-degree murder of Deputy McGrane.
In what is likely to be the last death penalty eligible sentencing hearing in New Mexico, Astorga’s
penalty phase is set to begin in early 2011. He currently remains housed in maximum security in
the New Mexico Department of Corrections.
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GANG CRIMES
The Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office is the only DA’s Office in the state to staff a
division dedicated exclusively to prosecuting gang crimes.
These cases are among the hardest to investigate and prosecute because offenders often live in a
shadowy world on the periphery of society. Their motives can be difficult to understand, though the
effects of their acts are clear: gangs exist because they use fear and intimidation to prevent the
community from speaking out against their actions.
Our dedicated team of prosecutors, staff and investigators maintain close relationships with our law
enforcement partners who specialize in gang investigations and intelligence. In 2010, our office teamed
up with investigators and prosecutors from around the state at a number of conferences, including the
New Mexico State Gang Conference in Rio Rancho and the Gang Crimes & Prosecution Conference in
Belen, and taught courses providing legal updates and shared successful strategies for prosecuting gang
crimes.
State v. Donte Power
Murder
On March 9, 2010, the family of Qiu Feng
Chen finally received justice when a jury
returned a guilty verdict against Donte Power
for the first-degree murder of Chen, an
Albuquerque mother who was brutally
gunned down during a robbery of her family’s
Golden Star restaurant in 2008.
Despite a lack of gang-oriented legislation in New Mexico, our
office has been successful at holding gang members accountable
for some of the most despicable acts of violence in our
community.
Dante Power entered the restaurant to
commit a robbery, and then shot Chen as her
4-year-old son watched from under a nearby
table.
Power fled, but was arrested a few hours
later outside Coronado Mall where a stolen
tip jar was located in his car.
Power had obtained just $3.45 from the
armed robbery.
Prosecutors with the Gang Crimes Division
worked tirelessly for almost two years to
prepare the case, as Victim Advocates
supported the family.
Power was ultimately sentenced to serve life,
plus 18 years for the horrific crime.
Power was identified as a member of a local
street gang, and was tied to numerous other
crimes including burglary and drug
possession.
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INVESTIGATIONS
Investigators
The Second Judicial District employs investigators to assist in case preparation.
Each of our investigators is a state-certified Peace Officer, and carries the same
authority as every police officer.
In addition to assisting in the investigation of crimes referred to our office, they also
spend countless hours locating witnesses, providing protection and security for witnesses, victims and
their families and coordinating with law enforcement agencies.
Process Locate Division
The employees of our Process Locate Division are rarely in the office – they are responsible for locating
and serving court paperwork on victims, witnesses and others involved in criminal cases. They perform
an invaluable service, ensuring that persons who have information regarding cases are available and in
court. In FY2010 alone, they served 10,590 subpoenas!
SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS
Our Special Proceedings Division handles a wide variety of hearings and issues in the District, including
Probation Revocations, Habeas petitions, extraditions, appeals and writs and provides training for our
staff, law enforcement and other attorneys. The division taught basic law classes in local law enforcement
academies, and provided legal updates for experienced officers.
State v. Raymond Duran
Probation Revocation
Probation Revocations
During 2010, the division adjudicated 3,132 motions to revoke probation
In 2010, Albuquerque Police
or parole against offenders who had failed to comply with the conditions of
found convicted sex-offender
their release. Next year, the division will be working with the court to
Raymond Duran with a
prostitute, a violation of his
implement the state’s first “Probation Violation Court” to handle probation
probation for molesting a
violations quickly and judiciously.
female family member in
2008.
Prosecutors with the Special
Proceedings Division moved
to revoke his probation,
sending him back to prison
for 18 years. The victim of
the original offense was
relieved to know that her
offender would no longer
victimize another woman.
“Abused Girl’s Family
Finally Sees Justice”
Continuing Education
Among the division’s biggest training accomplishments was the completion
of June Jubilee training, a three day multi-disciplinary course for
prosecutors providing them with the latest updates on the law and enabling
them to receive required Continuing Legal Education credits in-house.
During June Jubilee, over 860 CLE credits were awarded!
These internal training efforts are important, not only because they help
prosecutors stay on top of the law, but also because providing in-house
training is fiscally responsible. In 2010 alone, we estimate that we saved
over $40,000 in tuition and travel expenses that we would have paid to
send prosecutors to training outside of the office!
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VICTIM IMPACT PROGRAM
Victims have a special status in our criminal justice system. Crime has touched every one of us in
some way, and for many their exposure to crime has been particularly harsh. They are one of the
reasons we work so hard.
The New Mexico Constitution and New Mexico statues provide special rights for victims of enumerated
crimes, and our office is dedicated to ensuring that victims are made aware of and are provided the
opportunity to exercise their rights to know about the status of a case, appear in court and receive
assistance where appropriate.
Our office employs a dedicated team of Victim Advocates whose sole
responsibility is to shepherd victims through the criminal justice system.
During homicides and other serious crimes, our advocates respond to
the scene to comfort and assist the victim during what can be a
confusing and emotional experience. They have the trying task of
providing death notifications to family members of homicide victims.
In other cases, advocates begin by reaching out to victims once a
case is received in our office and provide information about the justice
process. Sometimes they simply provide a needed shoulder on which
to cry, and at other times they stand strong alongside victims as they
face the defendant who harmed them.
In some cases, victims of certain crimes may be eligible to receive
counseling, housing assistance or reimbursement for other expenses incurred as a consequence of being
a victim of crime. Our advocates are experts in these areas, and can help to put victims in contact with
needed resources.
Our office reached out to over 5,600 new victims of enumerated crimes in 2010, in addition to the
thousands we continue to assist as the cases affecting them move from the initiation of prosecution to
trial to sentencing and all the way through to parole hearings where applicable.
In the coming year, the state’s VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) program will become
fully automated, providing a 24/7 resource for victims to check on the status of cases and instant
notification when offenders are released from jails or prison.
There are few people who can do all that is asked of a victim advocate. The emotional strain can be
overwhelming, and the hours on-call can seem endless. They often work behind the scenes, but their
work is critical to seeking justice. Our office is fortunate to have not one, but a team of sixteen who not
only does the job, but excels in it
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COMMUNITY CRIMES
The Community Crimes Division works closely with law enforcement to take a proactive rather than
reactive approach to crime prevention and prosecution of crime in our community. In 2010, this division
prosecuted almost two thirds of all felony cases in Bernalillo County, including:
Drug trafficking,
Arson,
Drug crimes in school zones,
Racketeering,
Residential burglary,
Larceny,
Commercial burglary,
Felony shoplifting
Gun offenses,
The staff in this division prosecutes a diverse caseload. Accordingly, their successes are equally diverse.
ORGANIZED CRIME & PUBLIC CORRUPTION
Prosecuting corruption and organized crime requires
specialized knowledge of the law as well as courage
and tenacity. That is why District Attorney Kari
Brandenburg designated an Organized Crime
Prosecutor in 2009. Cases involving government
corruption or large criminal enterprises are assigned
to this unique division.
The complexity of these cases is hard to understate,
as they commonly include tens of thousands of
pages of documents and reluctant witnesses.
Despite the challenges presented, the Division has
already realized some major victories.
In 2009, the division prosecuted the largest
embezzlement case in Bernalillo County history:
$1.2 million in fake payouts taken from an area
casino.
In 2010, we continued to tackle these tough cases to
ensure that criminal organizations and persons in
public positions are held accountable when they
target our community.
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State v. Andrew Sandoval, et.al.
Racketeering, Conspiracy, Fraud
Andrew Sandoval and six other codefendants were arrested in 2010 on 147
charges of Fraud, and numerous other
charges. They were quickly indicted.
A months-long investigation by the
Albuquerque Financial Crimes Task Force
showed that Sandoval, his mother and
friends printed over $10,000 in face currency,
then enlisted the help of friends who were
hired as cashiers at local businesses to take
the fake cash. They even resold much of the
merchandise they purchased to unknowing
online buyers, victimizing businesses and
individuals alike.
In tough economic times, these crimes
impacted the bottom line of dozens of local
businesses. Thanks to the diligent
investigation and rapid indictment, the group
was quickly taken out of business.
Sandoval has pleaded guilty and is now
serving 6 years in prison. Other codefendants are pending trial.
CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN
The Crimes Against Children Division (CACD) primarily prosecutes cases involving physical or
sexual abuse of children by adult offenders, including:
Criminal sexual penetration and criminal sexual
contact against children under age 16, unless the
perpetrator is in a position of authority, then the age
limit is 18
Felony level physical abuse or death of children
under age 13, unless the perpetrator is in a position
of authority, then the age limit is 18
Felony level neglect of children
Custodial interference (or parental kidnapping cases)
Resident abuse (neglect of a person in the care of
others) (usually elderly victims)
Sexual assault cases involving victims with a mental capacity under 13 years of age
DWI cases involving death or great bodily harm to children
Prosecuting cases involving children requires special people. Every case handled by this team is
heartbreaking, but it is the desire to see justice for child victims that keeps this special team
working so hard.
Prosecutors and support staff in this division develop a special talent for working with children, and
they must couple that with specialized knowledge of the law relating to child abuse. Cases
handled by this division are often some of the toughest undertaken in the office, because of the
complexity of the issues, the inability of many of the victims to explain exactly what happened to
them or the horrendous nature of so many of these allegations.
2010 was a tough year for the division, whose members often become very closely connected with
the children and their families involved in these cases.
The division reviewed 530 new felony cases involving crimes against children in 2010, including
over 200 cases involving sexual offenses against children.
State v. Israel Bustillos
Child Abuse Resulting in Death
In March, prosecutors in the Crimes Against Children Division began a two and one-half week
trial. Israel Bustillos was charged with killing his five-month old infant girl, Geovanny, on
December 22, 2007. During trial, experts testified that injuries suffered by the infant were
consistent with abuse and that the child suffered for hours before finally losing her battle to
breathe.
Bustillos is currently serving an 18-year sentence in the Department of Corrections.
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FELONY DWI
Persons who drive while intoxicated present a serious threat to the safety of our
community.
Despite public awareness campaigns, increasing penalties and
increasing law enforcement, some offenders continue to drive drunk or
impaired. That is where our Felony DWI Division steps in.
Our Felony DWI Division prosecutes offenders who are charged with
their fourth or subsequent DWI offense (felonies in New Mexico), as
well as cases in which someone was killed or seriously injured by a
driver who was intoxicated or driving recklessly.
The team in this division works closely with Mothers Against Drunk
Driving (MADD), law enforcement and community groups to ensure
that everyone’s attention remains on these important cases. Kari
Brandenburg created the division in 2002 to specifically deal with repeat DWI offenders.
In 2010, the Division prosecuted a number of high profile DWI & vehicular homicide cases,
including:
State v. Jason Butner
Homicide by Vehicle
On June 8, 2009, Butner led a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Deputy on a high-speed chase
through a residential neighborhood, striking a vehicle occupied by Leo Baca, 86, and his
wife. Baca, a former New Mexico State Police Officer, died from his injuries. Butner fled
the scene on foot but was later arrested.
In February 2010, Butner pleaded guilty to four felonies: Homicide by Vehicle (reckless),
Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer, Accidents Involving Death and
Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. He was later sentenced to serve 10 ½ years, plus
an additional year as an habitual offender.
In 2009, Bernalillo County law enforcement agencies began to notice decreased numbers of
alcohol-related crashes and fatalities on our highways. That progress continued in 2010 thanks to
a combined and on-going commitment to addressing the problem by law enforcement, prosecutors
and the courts.
However, without a continued commitment of resources to combat DWI in 2011, progress may be
halted.
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ISSUE PROFILE : Domestic Violence in Bernalillo County
As public awareness surrounding domestic
violence grows, the public is becoming more
aware of the impact domestic violence has on our
community.
Domestic Violence Referrals Rise Sharply in
Bernalillo County
Rise tracks economic struggles of many families
Domestic violence is not just a family issue. It
affects our entire community:
Violence from home teaches children that
violence is acceptable;
Home violence can spill into the workplace,
resulting in lost worker productivity;
Workplace violence resulting from domestic
abuse is a real possibility for many victims.
Co-workers and businesses are all at risk
when offenders bring violence to the
workplace;
Cycles of violence perpetuate over time,
limiting a victim’s ability to leave or seek help.
Domestic violence cases referred for prosecution have
risen sharply since 2007. Cases of all types, both
felony and misdemeanor, have risen 19% in just 3
years.
New state laws enacted July 1, 2009 provide law
enforcement and prosecutors with new tools to
prosecute offenders for damaging common
property in a domestic violence incident.
Additionally, businesses in New Mexico are now
required to grant leave to victims of domestic
violence in order to seek protective orders and
attend court hearings.
Equally alarming, cases involving violations of orders
of protection have risen 20% since 2007. Holding
offenders accountable for violating these orders is
critical to protecting victims and deterring future
violence.
By collaborating with community resource
providers and law enforcement in the
Albuquerque Family Advocacy Center, we make
prosecutors and victim advocates available in a
“one-stop shop” for victims seeking assistance.
Partnerships like these keep victims involved in
the criminal justice system and provide them with
alternatives to victimization.
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FELONY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DIVISION
State v. Nathan Dominguez
Attempted Murder, Tampering with
Evidence, Negligent Use of a Deadly
Weapon, Criminal Damage to Property
In January 2009, Nathan Dominguez shot his
girlfriend in the face with an SKS-style
assault rifle during a domestic dispute.
Prosecutors in the Felony Domestic Violence
Division worked to move this case forward
and Victim Advocates worked with the victim
as she struggled to survive her lifethreatening injuries. As her recovery
continues, she still faces life-long scarring
from the bullets that nearly removed her
entire face.
In June 2010, Dominguez pleaded guilty on
all counts. The District Attorney’s Office is
currently seeking to enhance his potential
sentence because of the serious nature of
the weapon used, an assault rifle often
carried by military troops into battle.
Domestic violence affects our community in so many ways,
and tears many families apart. The Office of the District
Attorney in the Second Judicial District is committed to
pursuing cases of domestic violence.
The Felony Domestic Violence Division prosecutes both
violent and non-violent felony cases that occur between
spouses, former spouses and other intimate relationships.
Where in the victim and offender are unmarried. The
Metropolitan Court Division prosecutes cases in which there
is no felony crimes charged.
The crimes prosecuted by the Felony Domestic Violence
Division include property crimes such as Breaking and
Entering, Residential Burglary, and Criminal Damage to
Property.
The division also prosecutes violent crimes between
intimate partners. Typically, these include crimes such as
Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, Aggravated Assault
Against a Household Member and Aggravated Battery
Against a Household Member.
The division also prosecutes Rape and Homicide cases occurring between intimate partners.
In 2010, the Division fought hard for domestic violence victims. Additionally, they identified and
profiled a number of fugitives who had absconded from the judicial system while facing domestic
violence charges.
Despite the physical and mental toll domestic violence
offenders impose on their victims, many victims are afraid
to come forward for fear of retaliation or because they
have become caught in a cycle of abuse. Prosecuting
these cases is challenging because ensuring the ongoing
cooperation of the victim is difficult. Without victims who
are willing to stand up, the court is often unable to
proceed against a domestic violence defendant.
Having and maintaining the resources to Involve and
engage victims throughout the process is critical to
ensuring successful prosecutions in these cases.
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ECONOMIC CRIMES & METHER INITIATIVE
The Economic Crimes Division (ECD) is charged
with the prosecution of all felony white-collar crimes
including:
Fraud
Forgery
Credit Card Theft
Identity Theft
Money Laundering, as well as:
Sex Offender Failure to Register
Photo courtesy: Jeremy Jojola, Albuquerque
Everyone in our community pays for economic crimes, even when they are not the direct victim.
Business losses that are incurred from fraud and theft are passed along to consumers, and
governments loose the tax revenue from the loss in commerce.
Economic Crime offenders are often prolific in their work, sometimes committing hundreds of
crimes before victims realize they have been harmed, and before law enforcement can track them
down. Identity theft continues to be a serious threat to many residents, and during tough economic
times offenders seem to step up their efforts.
The Division also includes the Worthless Checks Unit, which actively pursues offenders who write
bad checks and assists victims to recover their losses.
The division also includes our “Mether Initiative” group, whose focus is on methamphetaminerelated offenses and offenders, many of whom use white-collar crimes as a means to support their
addiction and criminal enterprises. This consolidation of resources enables our office to identify
economic crime offenders more quickly, and to bundle cases against these offenders so that
judges and juries can appreciate the full impact that these offenders have on our community.
State V. Rosa Pardo-Marrufo
Altering, Forging or Making Fictitious Licenses
Rosa Pardo-Marrufo was indicted in 2009 for assisting over 60 persons in obtaining
fraudulent New Mexico driver’s licenses by providing them with false documents. The
investigation identified opportunities for New Mexico’s identification system to be
exploited, and new processes put in place now prevent such fraud.
Prosecutors with the Economic Crimes Division organized hundreds of pages of documents
and records preparing for trial.
In 2010, Pardo-Marrufo entered guilty pleas to 11 felonies and was sentenced to serve 10
years in a New Mexico prison, followed by 11 years of probation.
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PROGRAM PROFILE:
“Mether” Initiative
Because of the unique nature of meth-related crimes, the District
Attorney's Office created the Meth Prosecution Unit, the first of its
kind in the nation. The team of prosecutors and staff is dedicated to
identifying and quickly prosecuting meth-related crimes and repeat
meth offenders.
This initiative works through cooperation between prosecutors and a
variety of law enforcement agencies including the Albuquerque
Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department, US Secret
Service, US Postal Inspectors and others.
The US Department of Justice cites studies indicating that 4.7
percent of all adult male arrestees in Albuquerque tested positive for
methamphetamine at the time of arrest in 2000. The problem is
rampant among Caucasian arrestees, 16.9 percent of whom tested
positive at the time of arrest.
Because of our proximity to the Mexican border, cheap meth easily enters
Albuquerque from across the border and makes it an easily acquired drug
of choice for many. In 2009, the National Drug Threat Assessment
specifically identified Albuquerque as a community where
methamphetamine use and associated crimes were on the rise.
Because meth users are often prolific in their participation in associated
crimes, identifying the full impact of these offenses is difficult. For
example, abusers who engage in fraud to support their habit often resort
to identity theft, though these offenses are often not discovered by the
victim until multiple frauds are committed against bank accounts. Even
when prosecutions are successful, victims are rarely able to recover
restitution from the offenders because offenders have little or no property
of value that has not already been sold to support their habit.
Because meth-related offenses can expand quickly, and because
restitution to victims is virtually impossible in most cases, the most
successful tactic for stopping meth-related crime is early
intervention with swift prosecution.
In 2009, a grant funding the initiative
expired, forcing us to limit the number of
cases assigned to this specialized unit.
Despite these challenges, the division
indicted 310 Mether cases in the last half
of Fiscal Year 2009.
Because of the success of this program,
we looked for new opportunities to fully
re-fund the program.
In late 2010, we renewed a grant award
from the state’s Department of Public
Safety, which supports additional staff
dedicated exclusively to this initiative.
This funding, however, is only
guaranteed for one year, so we continue
to search for new funding sources that
will continue this important work.
CONVICTED: Amber Tapia
In 2010, prosecutors
indicted one of
Albuquerque’s most
prolific identity theft
offenders: Amber Tapia.
Using the identities of over 450
people, Tapia obtained and used
fraudulent credit cars and checks to
support her methamphetamine habit.
While out on bond awaiting trial, she
stole the identities of two more victims
and was rearrested.
She pled to 44 felonies and is now
serving a 25-year sentence.
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GRAND JURY DIVISION
The Grand Jury division reviews non-violent felony cases and prepares cases for presentation to
the Grand Jury. Members of the Grand Jury consider the charges and the evidence presented and
determine the appropriate charges to be pursued against a defendant. Those charges then
presented to a Grand Jury.
Grand Jury proceedings are often confusing to the public, in part because the proceedings are
secret. However, the Grand Jury process is an important first step in bringing a felony case to trial.
Most felony cases begin either before a Grand Jury
composed of citizen-jurors or in a preliminary hearing
conducted by a judge. In the Grand Jury, jurors hear
evidence presented by the District Attorney’s Office and
determine what charges should move forward to trial. In a
preliminary hearing, a judge performs that function.
Preparing a case for a Grand Jury presentation is no easy
task since staff must review each piece of evidence
available and prepare it in a way that is easy to understand
and present to a jury who has no training in the law.
By the Numbers
Indictments in FY 2010 Across All Divisions
5,225: Total Indictments
1,242:
1,116:
424:
163:
Including
Felony Property Crimes Indicted
Felony Narcotics Crimes Indicted
Felony DWI Cases Indicted
Gang Motivated Felonies
By law, if a defendant is being held in jail pending charges, we must present the case to the Grand
Jury within ten business days. Bernalillo County has the largest Grand Jury system in the state,
with three juries sitting at any one time, each composed of twelve jurors and alternates who hear
cases two days a week for three months.
In 2010 alone, the Grand Jury Division prepared and presented over 2,500 cases, in addition to the
more than 2,500 additional felony cases presented to the Grand Jury by other divisions in the
office.
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ALTERNATIVE PROSECUTION PROGRAMS
In some cases, alternative programs may provide an appropriate alternative to indictment and still
ensure justice. Our Early Plea and Pre-Prosecution Programs hold eligible offenders accountable
– placing them under supervision immediately, and lessening the court workload.
Early Plea Program (EPP)
The Early Plea Program is available to many community crime and "white-collar" crime offenders.
Offenders are eligible to plea to cases before they are indicted and allows offenders to participate
in alternative sentencing, which can include drug court, counseling or and other programs. Over
1,200 cases were successfully resolved through EPP in 2010!
Pre-Prosecution Probation (PPP)
Pre-Prosecution provides alternative sentencing to low level, first-time felony offenders with limited
criminal histories. It focuses on victim restitution and guiding participants to become productive,
law-abiding citizens.
PROGRAM PROFILE:
Bad Check Restitution Program
Millions of dollars are lost each year by merchants who accept bad checks. To combat
this problem, we have initiated a Bad Check Restitution Program, allowing first-time
bad check offenders to avoid criminal prosecution by attending mandatory intervention
classes, in addition to paying restitution.
Offenders pay the fees which support the program, so all of this is accomplished at no
cost to taxpayers.
Under New Mexico law, intentionally passing a bad check worth over $25 is a felony.
Under the program, participating merchants simply fill out a referral form and submit it
to our office. Program staff work with the check writer to make restitution and
complete intervention classes within a short period of time. This program often
allows merchants to recover their losses much more quickly than if the case was
prosecuted in the courts, and it allows first time offenders the opportunity to avoid a
felony conviction.
In 2010 alone, we recovered $108,394.89 for Bernalillo County businesses.
132 new businesses signed up to participate in the program in 2010.
Businesses recovered money from 1,896 bad check cases through this program,
all at no cost to taxpayers!
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VIOLENT CRIMES
The Violent Crimes Division (VCD) prosecutes violent
felony crimes including:
• Murder
• Sexual
Assault
• Robbery
• Kidnapping
• Aggravated Battery
• Aggravated Assault
• Extreme Cruelty to Animals
• Battery on Peace Officers, School Personnel & Heath Care Workers
Staff in the Violent Crimes Division prosecutes Bernalillo County’s most violent offenders. In
addition, they prosecute most felony animal abuse cases.
In FY 2010, our VCD team indicted 821 new violent felony cases, initiating prosecutions against
some of Bernalillo County’s most violent felons.
State v. Robert Bruce, aka “ETHER MAN”
Criminal Sexual Penetration, Kidnapping
For 18 long years, victims across four states have waited for the “Ether Man”
rapist to be identified. Thanks to the initiative of Bernalillo County District Attorney
prosecutors, they finally know the identity of the mysterious felon.
Between 1991 and 2000, 11 women reported being the victim of an unknown rapist, dubbed
the “Ether Man”, because he was believed to use a chemical soaked rag to incapacitate the
victims during the assaults. The incidents stopped suddenly in 2000, with few leads to identify the
offender.
With the statute of limitations set to expire on the first incidents, and
with no suspect in custody, prosecutors developed a novel strategy
and indicted the DNA profile of “Ether Man” in 2002. This strategy
preserved the State’s right to prosecute the offender, if he was ever
identified. The profile was loaded into a national DNA database,
and in 2010, police in Colorado submitted a sample of Bruce’s DNA
in relation to a peeping tom case.
Albuquerque Police quickly learned of the match and in November 2010, an arrest warrant was finally
issued for Bruce on 44 felony counts relating to the rapes.
For almost twenty years, the victims have remained in contact with victim advocates, investigators and
prosecutors in this case, anxious for the day that Bruce could be identified and held accountable.
Thanks to the innovative work of the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office and diligent investigators,
Robert Bruce will soon be returned to Albuquerque to stand trial.
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JUVENILE CRIMES
The Juvenile Division prosecutes individuals under the age of eighteen years' old for any offense
that would be a crime if committed by an adult. The Division is housed at 5100 Fourth Street NW,
alongside the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention and Youth Services Center.
Truancy Prevention
Our Juvenile Division includes a Truancy
Prevention Specialist, whose job is to
intervene with truant students and their
families.
Students who attend school are less likely to
join gangs, involve themselves in criminal
activity or become victims of crimes
themselves. This is why we work so hard to
give our students the support they need to
succeed in school.
This division, unlike adult felony divisions of this office,
prosecutes a broad variety of offenses, from status offenses
(i.e. Minor In Possession Of Alcohol) to violent crimes.
In 2010, our Juvenile Division reviewed over 3,000
referrals involving juvenile defendants.
The goal of the Juvenile Division is to hold the child
accountable for delinquent actions, address their needs and
give them tools to succeed in life.
Petitions alleging commission of a delinquent (illegal) act
and probation violations are governed entirely by the New
Mexico Children's Code. The Children's Code assumes that
most children can be rehabilitated and deterred from future
illegal activity in the community, in their own homes, and if
proper services are provided to them by the Juvenile Justice
System. Consequently, most youth who come to the
division's attention are placed on terms of probation, with
special conditions tailored to each child's specific needs. It is
the exception rather than the rule for children in this category to spend any time in custody.
In 2009, he worked alongside school
officials, students, families and community
organizers to create learning programs for
over 500 students who, along with their
parents, were subject to truancy
prosecutions and sanctions. As a result of
these combined efforts, our office did not
prosecute a single parent for habitual truancy
in 2009.
The Juvenile Division also prosecutes a smaller but more concerning group of youth who are
accused of committing the most serious and violent offenses prohibited by law. Youth in this group
are classified as Youthful Offenders, and their prosecutions are jointly governed by the Children's
Code and the District Court Rules of Criminal Procedure, which control adult prosecutions. Youth
who are charged and convicted as Youthful Offenders may receive either a juvenile disposition or
an adult sentence, including the possibility of imprisonment in an adult correctional facility.
The Juvenile Division also performs a variety of community- based services to the public, including
providing legal information to parents, schools, related agencies, the courts, juvenile probation, and
law enforcement. The division includes a Truancy Prevention Specialist and one prosecutor
dedicated to prevention of truancy and prosecution of parents who decline to send their children to
school in violation of the law.
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METROPOLITAN COURT
The Metropolitan Court Division is the largest division in the office and aggressively prosecutes the most
serious misdemeanor crimes in our state:
• Misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
• Misdemeanor Domestic Violence
While police officers prosecute many misdemeanor cases in Metropolitan Court, our office also assists
officers in complicated misdemeanor cases when asked.
In addition to the 2,136 other cases accepted by the division, the Metropolitan Court Division prosecuted
5,194 domestic violence and 5,600 DWI cases: an astonishing number for approximately 20 attorneys
and their support staff!
Our Metropolitan Court Appeals Section handled over 130 appeals of cases from Metropolitan Court in
2010.
We met the challenges of 2010 without sacrificing public safety, but 2011 promises new challenges and
opportunities. New court decisions now place greater burdens on the State to produce more witnesses in
DWI cases, meaning more pre-trial interviews and motions for all involved.
Though the numbers of cases continues to rise, our resources continue to diminish, raising the caseloads
for everyone involved. It is not uncommon for an attorney to spend the morning handling pre-trial motions
before one judge, and then begin a trial before another judge in the afternoon.
Metropolitan Court attorneys are among the busiest in the state, and we are proud of our successes!
Metropolitan Court
Accomplishments
Increased DWI Conviction Rates
66.6% in 2010, up from 62% in 2003
Reduced DWI Dismissals Based on
the 6 Month Speedy Trial Rule
0.7% in 2008, down from 5.9% in 2003
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Visit us Online
On Twitter
@DAofficeABQ
On Facebook as
Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office
http://www.da.state.nm.us/districts/second
Our Team
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REFERENCES & RESOURCES
If you or someone you know is the victim of a crime,
you should contact law enforcement or victim services immediately.
Courts
Second Judicial District Court
401 Lomas Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
www.nmcourts.gov
Law Enforcement
Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department
400 Roma Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
www.bernco.gov
Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
400 Lomas Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
www.metrocourt.state.nm.us
Albuquerque Police Department
400 Roma Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
www.cabq.gov/police
New Mexico Court of Appeals
237 Don Gaspar, Room 116
Santa Fe, NM 87501
http://coa.nmcourts.gov
New Mexico State Police – District 5
1901 Carlisle Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87105
http://dps.state.nm.us
New Mexico Supreme Court
237 Don Gaspar
Santa Fe, NM 87501
http://nmsupremecourt.state.nm.us
University of New Mexico Police Department
MSC 02 1540
Albuquerque, NM 87131
http://police.unm.edu
Isleta Pueblo Police Department
Isleta, NM 87022
Phone: (505) 869-6511
Administrative Resources
Administrative Office of the District Attorneys
625 Silver Ave SW, STE 310
Albuquerque, NM 87102
http://www.da.state.nm.us/
Sandia Pueblo Police Department
Bernalillo, NM 87113
http://sandiapueblo.nsn.us
New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts
The State of New Mexico
237 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM 87501
http://nmcourts.gov
Laguna Pueblo Police Department
P.O. Box 194
Laguna Pueblo, NM 87026
Phone (505) 552-6654
31
REFERENCES
REFERENCES && RESOURCES
RESOURCES
If you or someone you know is the victim of a crime,
you should contact law enforcement or victim services immediately.
Adult Protective Services, State of New Mexico
(505) 841-4501
New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence
(505) 246-9240
Albuquerque Family Advocacy Center
(505) 243-2333
http://www.abqfamily.org
New Mexico Coalition of Sexual
Assault Programs
(505) 883-8020
Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers
(505) 843-STOP
www.crimestoppersnm.org
New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission
(505) 841-9423
http://www.cvrc.state.nm.us
Child Protective Services, State of New Mexico
1-800-797-3260
New Mexico Department of Children,
Youth & Family Services
(505) 841-6100
Domestic Violence Restraining Order Coordinator
Bernalillo County District Court
(505) 841-6737
Poison Control
1-800-222-1222
Enlace Communitario
(505) 246-8972
Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico
(505) 266-7711
Legal Aid New Mexico
(505) 248-3155
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Albuquerque
(505) 884-7263
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
(505) 255-2955
Survivors of Homicide
(505) 232-4099
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