More than a dozen Republican lawmakers are asking the New Mexico Supreme Court to revamp rules they say have led to violent criminals being released in the state's most populous county.
The GOP lawmakers are the latest to raise concerns about an order issued by the court in February that set strict timelines for the disposition of criminal cases.
They say prosecutors in Bernalillo County should have more time to present evidence and that the deadlines imposed by the so-called case management order are unreasonable.
They also say prosecutors are being forced to dismiss hundreds of cases rather than face sanctions under the rules.
The Supreme Court already has sought comments from prosecutors, public defenders and others on proposed amendments but has yet to make a final decision on what changes to adopt.
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