Judge Chittum reveals transformative changes at Santa Fe Municipal Court

During a recent government meeting, Santa Fe Municipal Court Judge Chad Chittum provided an extensive overview of the court's operations, highlighting significant changes and new programs aimed at improving the judicial process and addressing community needs.

Judge Chittum, who has served in various capacities within the municipal court since 2016, emphasized that the Santa Fe Municipal Court operates more like a magistrate court due to its high volume of cases, ranking among the top three in the state. He noted that the court handles a range of offenses, primarily traffic violations, with a focus on non-jailable offenses for juveniles.

One of the key announcements was the decision to discontinue referring teens to the Santa Fe County Teen Court. Instead, the municipal court will implement its own Teen Program, which aims to tailor sentencing to the individual needs of young offenders. This shift is designed to promote rehabilitation rather than punishment, with alternatives such as requiring proof of school attendance or efforts to obtain a driver's license instead of community service.

Judge Chittum also discussed the court's existing programs, including a DWI drug court and an outreach court for homeless individuals, which will now extend services to veterans. He reported that the DWI drug court is nearing certification, meeting 87% of mandatory requirements and 70% of recommended standards.

Looking ahead, the court plans to introduce a First Offenders Program and a Young Offenders Program targeting individuals aged 18 to 25. These initiatives will focus on education and personal development, aiming to prevent future offenses.

Additionally, Judge Chittum highlighted the court's hybrid model, allowing participants to attend hearings virtually or in person, which aims to reduce missed court appearances. He also mentioned the importance of language access, with eight staff members certified as language access specialists to facilitate communication in court.

In response to questions from the governing body, Judge Chittum clarified the court's approach to community service as an alternative to fines, explaining that the conversion rate is set at $24 per hour. He acknowledged concerns about the proportionality of community service hours assigned relative to fines and expressed a desire to adjust these practices.

The meeting concluded with discussions about staffing, including plans to hire a staff attorney and convert a finance administrator position into a program director role, aimed at enhancing the court's ability to implement and manage its various programs effectively.