The Epidemic of Teen Violence

Recently, the news has been full of reports of teen violence across the State. A Target 7 investigative report noted that leaders across the State say kids killing other kids has become an epidemic in which a charge of homicide is often the first crime with which they are charged. They also found that 5% of the murders in New Mexico were committed by youth between the ages of 15 and 19. Firearms remain the leading cause of death for this age group, and according to the FBI, New Mexico ranks first among states for youth murdered per capita. This is unfortunate, and it does not surprise me.

What is going on here? A look at the cases in my own district over the last 3 years, fortunately, does not reflect the statistics of 5% of teens committing murders, though we have had some. (My colleague D.A. Sam Bregman, just one county over, has linked 70 murders to 53 juveniles in just the last two and a half years.) In the 13^th District, we have seen an increase in armed robberies by teens, shootings at dwellings and occupied buildings, and at or from a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of handguns, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon with great bodily harm. Overall, juvenile crime is down, but violent crime by juveniles is up across the State. There appear to be no simple answers. This troubling trend is undoubtedly influenced by a variety of social, psychological, and environmental factors that create a perfect storm for violent behavior during a formative stage of life, leading to a cluster of risk behaviors.

Many have observed that life's value no longer seems paramount for much of society. Schools and after-school arts and sports programs are underfunded and/or out of reach financially for many families. Underfunded schools with limited counseling and support staff are less equipped to identify at-risk youth or intervene early in the cycle of violence. Many schools also rely heavily on punitive discipline rather than restorative practices, which can alienate students and push them further toward harmful behavior.

Lack of supervision, social media influence, and peer pressure are often cited as key drivers. Youth have easy access to guns, which, in their minds, no doubt makes them look cool. The mental health and trauma of a teen are also tied to violence. This can often be linked to the child maltreatment rates in the State, which are among the highest in the nation.

Our laws lag far behind the documented rise in violent crime. The State of New Mexico has a Children’s Code, which has not been updated since 1995, which means that our options when trying a case of juvenile violence are limited.

For example, if a youth is charged with first-degree murder, they can be charged as an adult. With second-degree murder, rape, and robbery, it must first be shown that the defendant is amenable to treatment and rehabilitation, with the idea being that with rehabilitation, they will not become an adult offender. It is rare for a judge to determine that a youth offender should be tried as an adult.

The trends in the state lean toward rehabilitation. I am not opposed to rehabilitation, but along with the laws being behind the times, so too are the treatment options. Juveniles who could be amenable to treatment or found incompetent do not have treatment options in the state. Consequently, they are often held in jail until they turn eighteen before being transferred to one of the limited options we have for rehabilitation.

This is not a secret “epidemic.” Policy makers are considering a range of options. House Bill 255 (March 2025) pursues justice reforms aiming to expand mental health and social services and bolster accountability for serious juvenile crimes. The governor is proposing a $1 billion trust for mental health, addiction, and child welfare reforms, which hopefully will include facilities for juveniles.

While all these efforts are steps in the right direction, sustainable improvements will require continued multi-faceted efforts across law enforcement, education, mental health, and community and family systems. Law enforcement and policymakers should continue to focus on prevention and rehabilitation, not just punishment, while at the same time considering a balance of stricter accountability, all to make our youth and communities safer. In this scenario, everything is necessary because this is truly an example in which the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Only by understanding and addressing the root causes can we hope to reverse this disturbing trend and create safer communities for all.