Rick Tedrow, DA
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Today's luncheon speaker was Rick Tedrow, DA. He presented on 7 issues that impact our county as seen by his office.
The first topic that Mr. Tedrow addressed was (1) the SB 118 bill that was introduced in the 2016 legislative session to increase DWI penalties. The sponsors were George Munoz and Sarah Barnes. See the web link and description below:
AN ACT RELATING TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR DRUGS; INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE OR GREAT BODILY HARM BY VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR DRUGS WHILE VIOLATING SECTION 66-8-113 NMSA 1978 (BEING LAWS 1978, CHAPTER 35, SECTION 521, AS AMENDED); INCREASING PENALTIES AND MANDATORY PERIODS OF INCARCERATION FOR FOURTH AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES; PROVIDING THAT AN EIGHTH OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE IS A SECOND DEGREE FELONY.
During the session, (2) discussion about passing legislation related to texting and driving were brought to the attention of legislators. No action was taken during this legislative session
The third (3) topic of concern for our county is drug abuse. The drugs most abused in our county at this time are marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, and alcohol. Heroin abuse is on the rise. There has been action taken to reduce the abuse of prescription opiates which creates an inverse effect on the abuse of heroin. Marijuana is being transported from areas of our state that border with Colorado. This makes access much easier for all ages of individuals. The transporting of meth between Albuquerque and Phoenix, as well as Phoenix to Denver, places the Four Corners in a position of high abuse and trafficking.
His fourth (4) point was an increase in aggravated fleeing that has been noted by the DA and other law enforcement agencies. It is uncertain why there has been an increase in persons running away from law officials when committing crimes. It has increased the harm being done to citizens in the path of these criminals.
A recent decision made by the New Mexico Court of Appeals has changed the (5) prosecutions of criminals in certain cases. A recent change was made in the laws related to burglary. If a person breaks into a truck cab and steals items, this is burglary. However, it is no longer burglary if possessions are taken from a truck bed. This changes how the law makes decisions on these cases.
HB 65 was introduced by Sarah Barnes and Randall Crowder related (6) to child porn images as individual offenses. This bill will determine how offenders are identified and prosecuted when in possession of child pornography.
AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD EXPLOITATION; MAKING EACH SEPARATE DEPICTION OF A CHILD CHARGEABLE AS AN INDIVIDUAL CRIMINAL OFFENSE; REVISING DEFINITIONS IN THE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN ACT; ADDING AN ENHANCEMENT FOR AN OFFENSE AGAINST A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF THIRTEEN; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The final point, a joint resolution was achieved by the senate and house on (7) bail reform for those incarcerated. Democratic and Republican members from both the Senate and House compromised on bail reform legislation. This resolution will be on the November ballot as a constitutional amendment. You will be able to vote on this issue. The resolution still allows for a judge to waive bail for those who are incarcerated solely because they cannot pay, but now the resolution requires the defendant to file a motion asking for bail to be waived. Another change specifies bail can only be denied for dangerous defendants and not for those who pose a flight risk. This allows judges to deny bail but not waive it.
We appreciate Rick Tedrow taking time to visit our club and present on these important issues!
For more information, please contact Rick Tedrow at: