The Coalition’s mission is to ensure that all people accused of a crime or delinquent act in New Mexico are treated fairly and receive competent legal representation at every stage of the proceedings.

    Objectives:
    1. To establish in New Mexico an independent commission which will select the Chief Public Defender and provide oversight of the operations of the Public Defender Department;
    2. To determine the resources that are needed to enable poor people accused of crimes in New Mexico to receive effective legal representation and ensure that those resources are provided.

    New Mexico is currently out of compliance with national standards of indigent defense systems, as articulated by the American Bar Association's 10 Principles of an Indigent Defense Delivery System. The changes proposed by the NM Coalition for Justice are in line with these 10 principles, all of which have been endorsed by New Mexico's Board of Bar Commissioners. The very first principle, which requires political independence for public defenders, forms the basis for legislation the Coalition has drafted. That bill is again being sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Al Park during the 2008 legislative session.
INDEPENDENCE FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER DEPARTMENT:
To do her job, a public defender must be independent, governed only by the best interests of the client and free from political influence. Yet, in New Mexico, the Chief Public Defender is appointed by the Governor, who is also the chief law enforcement officer for the state. This must change. New Mexico should create an independent commission to ensure that public defense is administered in the interests of justice, not politics, and according to national standards.

    ...Read More    		 BETTER FUNDING FOR PUBLIC DEFENSE:
    The New Mexico Coalition for Justice is seeking increased resources for public defense so that effective legal representation can be provided to those who cannot afford to hire private attorneys.






    ...Read More


    NM Coalition for Justice
    Homer Robinson, Project Manager
    NM Center on Law and Poverty
    720 Vassar Drive NE
    Albuquerque, NM 87106
    homer@nmpovertylaw.org
    Phone: (505) 255-2840
    Fax: (505) 255-2778