Gerald Byers seeks second term as District Attorney

Jason Groves, Las Cruces Sun-News
·2 min read

Doña Ana County District Attorney Gerald Byers is seeking a second term.

Byers was elected in 2020 and counts navigating the court system amid the pandemic, as well as the implementation of the New Mexico Supreme Court rule LR 3-303 among the significant challenges met during his term, according to a press release announcing his re-election campaign.

"Building relationships with community organizations and law-enforcement agencies ensures that the responsibility to public service is done with integrity and fairness.” Byers said in the release. "While our systemic challenges have continued to escalate, we have overcome many; I am determined to continue to overcome them, for the sake of our victims, and this community, which I have chosen as my own.”

Doña Ana County District Attorney Gerald Byers announces charges against the officer who killed Teresa Gomez during a news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at the Doña Ana County Government Center.
Doña Ana County District Attorney Gerald Byers announces charges against the officer who killed Teresa Gomez during a news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at the Doña Ana County Government Center.

The implementation of New Mexico Supreme Court rule LR 3-303, or Case Managment Order, led to a number of cases being dismissed. The CMO is meant to decrease the load of criminal cases and stimulate quicker resolutions. It was implemented in the Third Judicial District as a pilot district to study the effects of the CMO.  The CMO is a set of rules regarding time limits in the district court. The rule applies to all criminal cases in the district court.

In another effort to streamline the flow of cases through his office, the DAs office in February implemented new case management software.

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Throughout his career, Byers has worked across New Mexico — and in several Texas counties — before landing in Las Cruces in 2013. He was appointed Chief Deputy District Attorney in 2017, where he supervised 16 attorneys and 49 staff members.

Byers ran unopposed in 2020, but that will not be the case in 2024 as outgoing Doña Ana County manager Fernando Macias announced his intent to run in February.

March 12 is filing day for candidates. Early voting begins on May 7 and June 4 is primary election day.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Gerald Byers seeks second term as District Attorney