Alamogordo court considers legal action over courthouse conditions

A New Mexico court is considering legal action against a county, claiming it failed to provide adequate court facilities as required by law.

The Alamogordo Daily News reports the 12th Judicial District Court has retained legal counsel to pursue action against Otero County.

Judge James W. Counts says the county courthouse in Alamogordo is unable to maintain safety for court proceedings as judges, attorneys, defendants and the public are all sharing the same spaces like bathrooms, entrances and the elevator.

Counts says county officials have stopped cooperating with the judges to find reasonable alternatives.

Commissioner Janet White says county officials understand the problems and are working on finding solutions. She says commissioners are preparing a budget for the courthouse, but resources are limited.