SANTA FE, NM – Americans for Prosperity-New Mexico (AFP-NM) today participated in a press conference with the ACLU-NM, former state Supreme Court Justice Richard Bosson, state Representative Georgene Louis, and two criminal justice advocates who have experienced police misconduct. The coalition spoke in support of HB 4, based on recommendations from the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission, that would bar the use in state courts of the qualified immunity defense and make agencies accountable when depriving citizens of their constitutional rights. Watch the press conference here. Brenda Boatman, Community Engagement Director for AFP-NM spoke at the conference: “One area that needs dire improvements is our criminal justice system. This is something people and organizations from across the political spectrum can agree on. When someone acting in an official government capacity, such as a police officer, violates a citizen’s constitutional rights, certain laws and immunities protect them from liability, regardless of the damage they’ve caused to regular New Mexicans. This undermines individual rights, allows wrongdoers to escape accountability, and leaves victims with no way to address the injustice in court. … This bill would put an end to that – allowing New Mexicans that have had their constitutional rights violated to … Continue reading AFP-NM Speaks in Support of Reforming Qualified Immunity Laws, HB 4