New Mexico public defenders, experts warn lawmakers of extreme caseloads, understaffing

By: Joshua Bowling

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: June 22, 2026

Words: 509

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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New Mexico Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur told a panel of state lawmakers Monday that his understaffed office could hit a point at which public defenders cannot take on new criminal cases.

Across the state, the Law Offices of the Public Defender has 190 staff attorneys and a vacancy rate of more than 21%. Speaking before the interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee in downtown Albuquerque, Baur referred back to a landmark 2022 report …

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