Another punch was thrown in the fight over GPS ankle monitor data. The question is, do we, the public, have a right to know how criminal suspects are violating GPS restrictions?
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Another punch has been thrown in the fight over GPS ankle monitor data. The question is, do we, the public, have a right to know how criminal suspects are violating GPS restrictions?
The answer to that question depends on who you ask.
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torres gave the 2nd Judicial District Court a May 15 deadline to submit records related to GPS ankle monitor violations. Torrez said this is a public safety issue and the public needs data to ensure accountability.
In response, the court on Friday said that is not a provision of the law.
A letter from the 2nd Judicial District's executive officer says the GPS data is not being released because lawmakers have not elaborated on what the word “data” means. The court said it was off limits, regardless of the attorney general's interpretation of the law.
The court told the attorney general it appreciates his passion for pretrial services programs, adding that what they do to help people in the criminal justice system is commonly misunderstood.
Torres was in Las Cruces on Friday. When KOB 4 reached out to him, a spokesperson said they had received the letter and were reviewing it.
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