Juvenile Treatment Court
Judge
The Honorable Cindy Mercer
Program Manager
Marina Gonzalez
Court Probation Officer
Isaiah Perales
History
Valencia County Juvenile Treatment Court was the recipient of a federal grant in 2002 for Treatment court implementation. Since inception, the Treatment court has grown to be one of the largest juvenile Treatment courts in the state serving an average of 60-65 participants and their families each year. There have been 93 successful graduates of the program. Treatment courts’ 197 participants have contributed 16,410 hours of community service at a value of $114,870 to the local community. Community service projects have included graffiti clean up, trash pick up, work at volunteer fire departments, beautification projects, etc.
Treatment courts have been proven to be a cost effective approach to treating substance abusing juvenile offenders. There is a substantial cost savings to the community when a child is rehabilitated from his or her former criminal activities which cost homeowners, businesses and the community, thousands of dollars each year. The cost per client per day, including the parent as client, is $15.07. Traditional detention costs $125 per day. The savings from having a client in the Valencia County Juvenile Treatment Court as opposed to detention during that time would have been $4,098,687. These cost saving calculations do not reflect the added costs for similarly situated non-Treatment court participants such as substance abuse related health issues, counseling, in-patient or out-patient treatment and costs associated with recidivism.
Valencia County Juvenile Treatment Court places importance on the value of education and its impact on the future of our participants. The Treatment court has 100% educational involvement of its participants. Additionally, a comprehensive and innovative educational program has been adopted by the Treatment court. This program tests the educational aptitude of all juveniles entering the program. Based on these test results, participants receive individualized assistance in improving educational abilities. Tutoring and GED classes are held on site. Several Treatment court participants have gone on to college.
Valencia County Juvenile Treatment Court has a strong team and is under the leadership of District Judge, Cindy Mercer. Representation from Juvenile Probation and Parole, the District Attorneys’ Office, Treatment Providers, Law Enforcement, Schools, and Public Defenders’ Office creates the diversity and balance that is an integral part of the programs’ achievements. Interest from the community continues to grow as the programs success becomes more evident with each successful graduate. The continued dedication of the team and judge and the innovation shown by this Treatment court will ensure that current and future participants will receive the best treatment and services possible.
Addresses
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1089
Los Lunas, NM 87031
Physical Address
1835 Highway 314 SW
Los Lunas, NM 87031
Contact
Program Manager
Marina Gonzalez
Phone: 505-865-2400 x1135
Fax: 505-865-9343
Email: lludmrg@nmcourts.gov
Court Probation Officer
Isaiah Perales
Phone: 505-865-2400 x2160
Fax: 505-865-9343
Email: lludijp@nmcourts.gov
Adult Treatment Court
Judge
The Honorable James L. Sanchez
Program Coordinator
Shane Lovato
Court Probation Officer
Theresa Gonzales
Mission Statement
The mission of the Valencia County Adult Treatment Court is to take a proactive approach to substance abuse to foster safer communities by reducing the number of repeat offenders and provide a continuum of services for substance abusers by utilizing multi-disciplined, community-based treatment and supervision to lower the cost of incarceration for substance offenders.
Goals and Objectives
- Goal: Create a safer community through reduced recidivism.
- Objective #1: Reduce recidivism by one half.
- *Recidivism means any drug or alcohol non-trafficking /misdemeanor/felony conviction.
- Goal: Reduce substance abuse among drug court participants.
- Objective #1: Create intensive supervision program for drug court participants.
- Objective #2: Create an intensive, treatment program for drug court participants.
History
The Valencia County Adult Treatment Court started July 1, 2008. We have maintained 20 clients through the first year. Individuals accepted into drug Court have case types that include pre-indictment, post-indictment, post-sentence and probation violation situations..
Addresses
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1089
Los Lunas, NM 87031
Physical Address
1835 Highway 314 SW
Los Lunas, NM 87031
Contacts
Program Director
Shane Lovato
Phone: 505-865-2400 x2101
Email: lludsel@nmcourts.gov
Probation Officer
Theresa Gonzales
Phone: 505-865-2400 x2108
Email: lludtag@nmcourts.gov