Bernalillo County's district attorney on Wednesday asked lawmakers to make it easier to keep violent youths behind bars, insisting current law makes it hard to hold even dangerous juveniles to account until they kill someone. "The juvenile criminal justice system in New Mexico is broken," Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman told the Legislature's Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee. "I do not say that lightly, nor do I cast blame on anyone or any branch of government.
" Bregman and Assistant District Attorney Troy Gray shared statistics and stories about youth arrests for violent crimes and asked lawmakers to consider code changes they said would make it easier to hold young perpetrators responsible for their actions. "Today, a 15-year-old could be driving around with his friends in a stolen car with 10 fentanyl pills and an AR-15" and likely wouldn't spend a single night at the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center, Bregman said. "That juvenile will face little to no consequences," Bregman continued.
"And they know it." Bregman's presentation came a day before a special session of the Legislature focused on public safety is scheduled to begin. He specified at the beginning of his presentation he hoped lawmakers would consider his ideas during the regular 60-day legislative session starting in January 2025.
In response to a question from Sen. Greg Nibert, R-Roswell, Bregman said he does not expect juvenile justice to come up during the special session. "I.
