SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A proposed constitutional amendment to reform New Mexico's bail bond system has been approved by the House Judiciary Committee.
The committee approved the proposal from Sen. Peter Wirth, a Santa Fe Democrat, whose changes to the state constitution would allow judges to deny bail to defendants deemed a flight risk or danger to the community.
Wirth's proposal also would allow cash-strapped defendants facing non-violent, low-level charges to be released from jail as they await trial.
A competing proposal sponsored by Rep. David Adkins, an Albuquerque Republican, would only change the state constitution to allow judges to deny bail to dangerous defendants.
Wirth's measure has won approval in the Senate. If approved by the full House, it would go before voters in November.