Martinez Proposes Stiffer Penalties for Child Abuse

Susana Martinez

Yesterday, Governor Susana Martinez announced a major legislative proposal that will change New Mexico’s Criminal Code to help better protect New Mexico children from child abuse and predators.
The Governor's bi-partisan bill beefs up prison time for child abusers, increases penalties for drunk drivers who kill kids, and defines new crimes where certain behavior toward children is predatory.
Martinez wants to increase penalties for first-time and repeat child abusers, allowing for additional prison time in child abuse cases even those that do not result in great bodily harm or the death of the child.

The proposed legislation will increase jail time for first-time child abusers from three years to nine years. Repeat offenders would face up to 18 years in jail, instead of only nine years.

Martinez Proposes Stiffer Penalties for Child Abuse