Dianna Duran withdraws motion to reconsider probation terms

Former New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran and her attorney have withdrawn a motion that asked a judge to reconsider her terms of probation.

Duran and her attorney, Erlinda Johnson, filed the motion in First Judicial District Court Tuesday afternoon, the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office confirmed to KOB.

Duran was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of probation for misusing campaign funds to pay off casino debts. As part of her conditions of probation, Duran is required to make four public appearances per month for the next three years to speak about her career and mistakes to civic groups and schools.

But Johnson filed a motion in February that likened those appearances to “public shaming,” rather than rehabilitation.

“Seemingly, these required weekly public appearances are tantamount to public shaming, similar to the defendant required to display a bumper sticker advertising ‘convicted felon’ or “convicted DWI,'” that motion read.

The motion also states these public speaking appearances could endanger Duran’s life, citing online comments on news stories about Duran.

Duran’s attorney requested the judge reduce the public speaking requirement to one per month.

In the original motion, her attorney also requested a reduction in Duran’s community service hours from 2,000 to 1,000 due to her role as a caregiver for her three grandsons.

Duran also wanted the judge to allow her to travel throughout the state without having to obtain authorization from the probation office.

Attorney General Hector Balderas said days after the motion was filed that he and his office objected to the request to reconsider.

“The Office of the Attorney General noted our opposition to Ms. Duran’s motion, as filed with the court, and we are pleased with this outcome,” said AG’s Office spokesman James Hallinan.

This story was originally published at KOB.com