Security Measures At Dona Ana County Courthouse: Security Or Slowdown?

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Dona Ana County Courthouse is cracking down with new security measures, but are the practices hindering the daily function of the courts?

But some people say the measure is slowing down court proceedings. Thursday, the line in front ofone court house was over a hundred people long waiting to get in. The new security measures slowed everyone down.

“We will not start until ten ‘o’ clock in the morning when everyone is in. Lawyers can’t even come in early. Even if they did, it wouldn’t make a difference, we still can’t proceed,” said Dona Ana District Attorney, Susana Martinez.

What caused the long lines? It’s because most people have to take off their shoes and belts while passing through a metal detector. The detector is nothing new, but the removal of the garments is what made many people wait.

The district courthouse had only one entrnace for the entire building. With more than 900 people passing through the doors and new security staff each day, District AttorneyMartinez says something needs to change.

She says the new security measures are ironic given that certain prisoners are allowed to be unshackled in the courtrooms.