Cybersecurity breach could delay court proceedings across New Mexico, public defenders office says

SANTA FE, NM — What officials are calling a cybersecurity breach at the New Mexico public defender’s office could lead to delays in some court proceedings in the state, the department said Wednesday.

The New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender said the breach began last Thursday. A timeline for remediation was not immediately clear.

According to the Judicial Branch of New Mexico website, New Mexico has 13 district courts, 54 police courts, 81 municipal courts, probate courts, and several other specialty courts.

The statewide Office of Public Defenders, which provides legal assistance to low-income people facing criminal charges, is the largest law firm in the state with 13 offices, more than 400 employees and contracts with about 100 private attorneys.

According to the ministry, the cybersecurity problem prevented employees from accessing some internal data and delayed communications with clients, lawyers and the courts.

“Email has been a primary way to transmit discovery, motions, communications and negotiations with prosecutors,” said department spokeswoman Maggie Shepard. “All of that has essentially stopped now.”

According to Shepard, the extent of the breach is not yet known, but she said it does not immediately appear that the private information of clients and hired attorneys was compromised.

In the meantime, the department communicates with New Mexico courts and its clients in person, by phone or by fax, she said.