By GERALD A. MADRID
Albuquerque

In response to the article (link) about Artie Pepin getting a national award for his work “improving” the pretrial system in New Mexico. Pepin along with the late Supreme Court Justice, Charles Daniels are the two directly responsible for bringing bail reform to this state. It has been an absolute failure and the thing most responsible for the “catch and release”, the “revolving door at the jails” and the spike in crime.

Albuquerque has already recorded over 100 homicides this year and on track to break last year’s all-time high of 117. Bail reform has completely taken over the criminal justice system in N.M. and in my opinion the cause of these serious issues. Bail reform is not only in N.M., but many other places around the country and the results are the same, massive crime and no accountability.

Pepin given some sort of an award for the “work” he has done is an absolute disgrace. It’s an insult to this state and he should have been fired years ago.

Offenders arrested in this state are in jail today and out tomorrow on nothing more than a promise to appear in court, all compliments of bail reform. I personally see people charged with everything from misdemeanor shoplifting to murder being released by local Judges on a promise to appear in court. There is little to nothing in place to ensure court appearances and no consequences when they don’t appear.

Editor’s note: Gerald A. Madrid is the owner of Gerald Madrid Bail Bonds and president of the New Mexico Bail Bond Association. www.gmadridbb.com.