Judge O'Neil told the Public Safety Committee that shortages in prosecutors and public defenders have grown worse, forcing at least one court cancellation and prompting renewed local efforts on recruitment and case‑processing reforms.

Clerk of circuit court Rebecca Metaska Mentek and an unnamed county judge reported a shrinking but still-large docket backlog (the judge said he had 967 pending cases), flagged a statewide attorney shortage, and warned a pending law raising small-claims limits to $15,000 could increase filings and caseload pressure.

New program prioritizes loan repayment for rural public defense and prosecution attorneys

UNM School of Law Dean Camille Carey briefed the House Judiciary Committee on enrollment (300 total, 108 1Ls), a 73% recent bar passage rate and programs to boost student success, and requested $15,500,000 to renovate and connect an adjacent building to expand classrooms, student services and event space.

Kansas addresses attorney shortfall, but rising case volumes threaten to overwhelm defense resources.