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Law Offices of the Public Defender Commission 

In 2012, the citizens of New Mexico voted to move the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) under the Judiciary branch of the state government to be overseen, guided and supported by a newly-created Public Defender Commission. In 2013, the Public Defender Commission formed and appointed the first Chief Public Defender under a new independent format. Since then, the LOPD has been undergoing a transformation into a career law firm – the state’s biggest – and engaging in advocacy for our clients in ways the previous structure prohibited.

Commission meetings are open to the public.

LOPD Commissioners

Raymond Sanchez, Albuquerque

Dan Banks, Carlsbad

Justice Richard Bosson, Ret., Santa Fe

Jacqueline Flores, Albuquerque

Gina Maestas, Albuquerque

Traci Neff, Farmington

Naomi Salazar, Albuquerque

Michael Sanchez, Belen

Melissa Sawyers, Hobbs

Peter Schoenburg, Albuquerque

Agendas & Archive

Upcoming agenda: Sept 8th 2023 Agenda

Archive agendas and meeting minutes:

February 5th 2021 Agenda/Minutes

April 9th 2021 Agenda/Minutes

January 14th 2022 Agenda/Minutes

June 10th 2022 Agenda/Minutes

August 18th 2022 Agenda/ Minutes

June 7th 2023 Agenda/ Minutes

For older minutes and agendas, contact LOPD Records Custodian LOPD-IPRA@lopdnm.us  

PDF LOPD Constitutional Amendment 5

Public Defender Act