Crime - Organ Mountain News (Page 8)

A juvenile girl with long blonde hair stands with her back to the camera in a courtroom, wearing an orange detention jumpsuit as a judge sits at the bench ahead.

Before the judge: How discretion, resources and geography shape juvenile justice outcomes in New Mexico

Juvenile justice outcomes in New Mexico vary widely based on geography, resources and prosecutorial discretion, often long before a judge ever rules.

A juvenile male, seen from behind in an orange jail jumpsuit, sits in a courtroom facing a judge seated at the bench, with wood paneling and an American flag in the background.

Crime

After the ruling: what juvenile courts can order — and what actually exists

After a juvenile court ruling in New Mexico, outcomes depend less on law than on available services. Here’s what judges can order — and what actually exists.

A booking photo of Heather Croom, who was ordered held without bond pending trial by a Doña Ana County judge following a detention hearing.

Public Safety

Judge orders repeat offender held without bond pending trial

A Doña Ana County judge ordered a Las Cruces woman held without bond pending trial, citing repeated arrests and safety concerns tied to a charge involving a health care worker.

A young female juvenile is shown from behind wearing an orange jail jumpsuit while seated in a courtroom, facing a judge’s bench during a court proceeding.

Crime

After the arrest: how juvenile cases actually move through New Mexico courts

After a juvenile arrest in New Mexico, a case can take several paths. Here’s what happens next, from detention decisions to court timelines and possible outcomes.

A juvenile male seen from behind in a courtroom, wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and facing a judge seated at the bench, with the American flag visible in the background.

Crime

Juvie Law 101: What SYO, YO and JR mean in New Mexico juvenile cases

New Mexico public defenders walked reporters through juvenile court basics, including SYO, YO and JR case types, detention rules, competency issues and why informal handling drives most referrals.

Grainy black-and-white surveillance image shows several masked individuals wearing hooded sweatshirts inside a building during a nighttime burglary.

Crime

Police arrest two more teens in Las Cruces gun store burglary

Las Cruces police have arrested two additional 16-year-olds in connection with the Nov. 22 burglary of a local gun store, bringing the total number of juveniles charged to six.

Lawmakers sit at a panel table during a New Mexico House Republican task force meeting as attendees listen from the audience at the Roundhouse.

Public Safety

Governor’s adviser: 3 out of 4 days see New Mexico youth arrested with a firearm

New Mexico’s senior public safety adviser told lawmakers that a child or teen is arrested with a firearm on three out of every four days. The claim comes as officials and prosecutors warn of violent crime tied to repeat juvenile offenders.

A close-up of a New Mexico State Police vehicle with the words “State Police” reflected across the side, with another patrol unit blurred in the background during dusk.

Crime

Las Cruces motel standoff ends with arrest of man wanted in Arizona after woman reports sexual assault

New Mexico State Police say a DWI arrest in Socorro County led to a separate alleged sexual assault investigation in Las Cruces, where officers located and arrested 43-year-old Brian Smolak on two nationwide warrants after a tactical team made entry into a motel room.

Two cardboard packages sit on a front doorstep, one upright and one tipped on its side, with a residential entryway and potted flowers blurred in the background.

Public Safety

Las Cruces police share tips to stop porch pirates this holiday season

Las Cruces police are reminding residents to take steps to prevent package thefts during the holiday season, offering tips on tracking deliveries, securing drop-off areas and reporting suspicious activity.