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Pioneering Prosecutor Julie Altwies Remembered for Dedication to Justice
26 Aug
Summary
- Tough on criminals and advocate for victims' rights
- Led prosecution in high-profile Hollywood Video murder case
- Headed Bernalillo County drug court program
Julie Altwies, a former Bernalillo County judge and deputy district attorney, passed away in 2025. She was remembered for her dedication to prosecuting violent crimes and advocating for victims' rights.
Altwies was the lead prosecutor in the 1996 Hollywood Video murder case, where five people were killed. She later became a Bernalillo County Metro Court chief judge and headed the county's drug court program, which she was immensely proud of. "She never stopped talking about that and all the good things that were coming from it," said Altwies' sister, Jane.
Altwies was also involved in a case that resulted in the indictment of a man suspected of stalking, drugging, and raping multiple women in Albuquerque. This was the first time such a case had been prosecuted in New Mexico.
After retiring in 2014, Altwies received accolades such as Prosecutor of the Year from the New Mexico District Attorney Association and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Her colleagues remember her for her dedication, focus on results, and unwavering commitment to victims' rights.
