Bregman Once Defended Accused Officers Before Pledging to Prosecute ICE

The Tri-City Record republished a profile identifying Bregman as a public figure who campaigned to prioritize prosecutions of federal immigration enforcement operations and saying that, before that pledge, he had acted as a "go-to" defense attorney for police officers accused of crimes. The profile frames a contrast between Bregman's campaign language about prosecuting ICE and his prior professional work defending law enforcement clients.

The original profile appears in the NM Political Report and the version republished by the Tri-City Record examines Bregman's political and professional background. The excerpt of the profile provided to this report is truncated and does not include case names, court jurisdictions, dates of representation, or direct quotes from Bregman or other parties, so the published characterization that he was a "go-to" defense attorney for cops is presented within that profile's narrative rather than supported here with court dockets or client names.

Those procedural gaps intersect with practical legal questions about what happens when criminal defendants are taken into ICE custody, a subject addressed in an Immigrant Defense Project practice guide cited in the materials reviewed. The IDP guide, while aimed at New York practitioners, states that many of its strategies "will apply to criminal defense attorneys across the U.S." and advises defense tactics when a defendant with an active case is removed to ICE custody. The guide notes: "When the Court is made aware that ICE has taken a defendant with an active, open case into custody, judges need not issue a bench warrant. In lieu of a warrant, we have been able to effectuate the defendant’s appearance where the judge has directed the prosecutor to issue a writ to produce the defendant on his/her next court appearance."

The IDP guide further lays out concrete steps defense lawyers should take and reiterates attorney duties under professional rules. It instructs: "Ensure a warrant is not issued Notify the District Attorney as soon as possible that your client is in ICE custody. Consider whether you need to follow up any oral communications in writing and/or make a record for the court. You may be able to argue that the time that elapses due to the District Attorney’s failure to produce the client for prosecution is charged to the prosecution in a speedy trial motion. When notifying the District Attorney that your [...]" The guide also cites ethical obligations: "As required by the ABA Rules of Pro fessional Conduct, defense attorneys have a duty to communicate and keep clients informed and advised of significant developments in their cases as well as to inform them of plea offers and other options. This duty continues regardless of whether your client is at liberty, in local criminal custody, or in ICE custody. Rule 1.4 of the ABA (American Bar Association) Model Rules of Professional Conduct states that a lawyer shall promptly inform clients of any decision or circumstances where their informed consent is required, reasonably consult with the client about the means by which the client's objectives are to be accomplished, keep the client reasonably informed [...]"

For readers in San Juan County, the republished profile and the IDP guidance together raise tangible questions about how a candidate or official who vows to "prosecute ICE" would translate that pledge into local charging decisions and courtroom practices, and how past defense work for police officers might intersect with those choices. The Tri-City Record republication places Bregman's record and his campaign rhetoric squarely in the local conversation, and the procedural points highlighted by the IDP guide underscore specific legal levers, writs to produce defendants, speedy-trial arguments, and communication duties under ABA Rule 1.4, that could shape any future prosecutions or defense responses.