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The Santa Fe County Community Services Department announces the beginning of a pilot project to provide compliance monitoring and treatment to those convicted of domestic violence offenses that are alcohol involved. The program will provide compliance monitoring coupled with 52 weeks of domestic violence treatment for high risk clients who were convicted in Magistrate Court. The pilot will be in place for a time period of one year, followed by evaluation and recommendations for continuation.
On average, 15 in 1,000 New Mexicans will report a domestic violence incident this year, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In 2015 there were 844 domestic violence cases files in Santa Fe County Magistrate Court. Forty percent of reported incidents of domestic violence involved drugs or alcohol.

“Currently those convicted of domestic violence offenses are not monitored to insure that they are complying with court mandated conditions,” said Lupe Sanchez, DWI Program Coordinator at the Community Services Department. He continued, “This program is important because it pairs compliance monitoring and long term treatment, which we believe will lead to better outcomes for the community.”

Research suggests that increased compliance monitoring efforts of domestic violence offenders may lessen recidivism. Holding regular compliance hearings sends the message to defendants that the court takes domestic violence crimes seriously and is informed about defendants’ behavior, and that non-compliance with court orders and mandated programs will be met with swift sanctions.

The program is a joint effort between Magistrate Court, the Santa Fe County DWI Program and the Office of the District Attorney.

In its Health Action Plan 2014-2017, Santa Fe County has committed to reducing
alcohol abuse.