LAS CRUCES, New Mexico — Victims of juvenile violence told lawmakers Monday that young offenders in New Mexico understand they are unlikely to face consequences, a belief they say is reinforced by repeated dismissals and releases under the state’s juvenile justice system.
The testimony came during Monday’s meeting of a legislative juvenile justice task force in Las Cruces, where victims, law enforcement leaders and prosecutors addressed lawmakers about the impact of violent juvenile crime on families and communities.
“These juveniles know they can get away with everything,” one victim advocate told the panel, describing a system that, in her words, prioritizes offenders while leaving victims to live with lifelong consequences.
Melissa Vigil Hernandez, president of the Las Vegas chapter of New Mexico Crusaders for Justice, told lawmakers her nephew, Joshua Vigil, was killed at age 17. She said families like hers are forced to relive their trauma while watching accused juveniles cycle through the system.
“We hear a lot of talk about trying to help those committing these acts of violence,” Vigil Hernandez said. “But we don’t hear enough about the victims — the ones who have to live with a life sentence.”
Other victims echoed that sentiment, saying juveniles charged with violent crimes often return to the community within days or weeks, sometimes after being declared incompetent to stand trial.
“They know how this works,” one speaker told lawmakers. “They know they’ll be let go.”
Law enforcement officials earlier in the hearing described recorded calls and case histories showing juveniles openly discussing how to avoid accountability by manipulating competency evaluations. Victims said hearing that testimony confirmed what many families already believed.
“To hear them talk about it like it’s nothing — like it’s a joke — is devastating,” one family member said.
Victims also criticized what they described as a lack of urgency in addressing repeat juvenile violence, particularly following high-profile incidents such as the Young Park shooting in Las Cruces, where three children were killed earlier this year.
“What happened didn’t come out of nowhere,” Vigil Hernandez said. “It happened because warning signs were ignored.”
Several speakers urged lawmakers to reform the Children’s Code to ensure that violent juvenile offenders face meaningful consequences while still allowing for rehabilitation.
“We are not asking for revenge,” one victim told the panel. “We are asking for accountability.”
Lawmakers acknowledged the emotional testimony and said victim input would be considered as they prepare proposals for the upcoming legislative session. Some noted that recent changes to criminal competency laws apply only to adults, leaving juvenile cases under older statutes that critics say lack enforcement tools.
As the hearing concluded, victims emphasized that without reform, more families will join their ranks.
“We’re tired of burying our children,” Vigil Hernandez said. “And we’re tired of a system that lets the people responsible walk free.”
