Key members of the team

Books, television and movies give us a superficial look at the criminal justice system, often depicting what would be a months or years-long process in a 200-page thriller, a two-hour cinema feature or a tidy 40-minute episode. The reality of course is much different.

While the “Law & Order” TV series provides a short definition of the two separate yet equally important groups that represent the people in criminal cases, there are many other players in the justice system.

Over the years, I have highlighted some of these players, such as our hard-working clerks and court support staff. In this column, I want to introduce you to a few additional players: transport officers, interpreters and compliance officers.

Transport officers: As the name suggests, transport officers have the duty of moving in-custody individuals from, or between, jails and prisons to courts. Sometimes this is as simple as escorting an individual to a cell equipped with audio video capability to attend a remote hearing.

Sometimes transport officers move individuals from one detention center to another, and sometimes they transport individuals from prisons across the state.

Inter-county transports are a duty of the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s transport officers also serve as court security officers. They are trained on securing courthouses within Valencia County and undergo months of training with senior officers on how to secure prisoners as well as transporting throughout the state.

Within the county, transport is the duty of the Valencia County Detention Center’s transport officers, who are also certified detention officers.

Over the last several years, the number of transports in and out of Valencia County has averaged well more than 400. The number of daily transports within the county, such as from the detention center to courts, can be as high as 20-25 on any given day.

These dedicated professionals are essential to the court running on time and perform an important public safety role.

Interpreters: The New Mexico Constitution has protections for individuals who speak different languages to safeguard their right to vote, hold office or serve on juries.

Access to justice for individuals who speak other languages, including American Sign Language for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, also is an essential element to a fair and impartial justice system.

This important work falls on interpreters, who are in high demand nationwide for their specialized skills. This is particularly true for interpreters conversant in courtroom or legal terminology. While the courts do employ a handful of interpreters, the vast number contract for specific jobs.

Our interpreters are court-certified interpreters and take an oath to translate or interpret in an understandable manner using their best skills and judgment of the interpreter profession. Their voice inflection and facial gestures contribute to that understanding.

In my court, seldom does a week pass where we do not require an interpreter. While Spanish-language interpreters are used most frequently, we often have the need for the interpreting of other languages. Due to the high demand, interpreters many times appear through remote means, especially for short-duration hearings.

Defendants, victims of crime, witnesses and other interested parties often require interpreters. Most people are pleasantly surprised when we have an interpreter present and it eases their anxiety about being seen or participating in a court proceeding.

Our interpreters provide value-added services to the court system. Beyond their interpreting skill, I have found them to be extraordinarily patient, kind and polite. They are a delight to work with.

Misdemeanor compliance: Also referred to DWI Compliance, these are county programs that oversee court-mandated sentences for individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses. Each county has a DWI Program that must track DWIs and the completion of all sanctions. A portion of alcohol taxes funds these invaluable programs. In Valencia County, compliance is a component of the Local DWI Program.

Typically, those supervised by the compliance program have a driving under the influence conviction. However, other alcohol-related offenses also qualify, such as a domestic violence conviction where alcohol was a factor.

Compliance officers meet with probationers shortly after their sentencing. In Valencia County, our compliance officers are present in court for sentencing so that the court can introduce probationers to their compliance officer.

Compliance officers are an arm of the court for the purposes of notifying the court if a person is not making progress in the completion of probation terms such as community service or completion of mandated schools or training. That is really the secondary part of their job because the primary purpose is to avoid non-compliance issues by assisting the probationer in finding and connecting to resources.

Recently in court, a previously-supervised individual shared with me they viewed their county compliance officer as an angel who saved their life. That is high praise by any measure.

Although these positions are lesser-known components of the criminal justice system, I hope it is clear that transport and compliance officers and interpreters are crucial members of the team delivering justice services in New Mexico.

My appreciation to Warden Randy Gutierrez of the Valencia County Detention Center, Sgt. David Zilink of the Valencia County Sheriff Office, Freda Valdez from the Administrative Office of the Courts, and Lori Kurtz from our county compliance office for their assistance in preparing this piece.