Repeat offender keeps catching breaks

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Landis Litz is the queen of second chances; the 26-year-old has already been arrested for dozens of crimes but has never faced any hard time behind bars as the courts continue giving her chance after chance.

While Litz is no stranger to the inside of a jail cell or the courtroom, her cases stand out for another reason.

How does she keep getting off?

"This is one of the extreme cases," said Jessica Richey, Probation and Parole District Supervisor. "We've been chasing her tail for a long time."

In the last eight years police have arrested Litz at least 10 times, and that’s just since she’s turned 18. Litz was arrested several times as a juvenile too. Her crimes include criminal trespassing, property damage, stealing a car, aggravated battery, assault and DWI.

"She definitely needs help and we need to get her attention or she's going to be coming in on more and more serious charges," said Kari Brandenburg, Bernalillo County District Attorney.

Litz has been before at least 17 judges for her crimes and almost every time she gets probation, and just as often she violates it.

In 2007 Litz was charged with taking a vehicle, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated DWI.

In 2009 a judge sentenced her to community custody on an ankle bracelet.

What did Litz do? She cut the bracelet off and ran.

When she was caught she spent two months in jail and was then released, back on probation.

"She's violated every condition of the court and probation and she's a danger to the community at this point," said Richey.

While on probation that time police say Litz stole a backpack and cell-phone and ran from an officer. When she was placed in handcuffs, she fought to get out of them.

In less than three years, Litz has violated her probation four times.

So how is that amongst an array of judges Litz keeps getting probation? KRQE News 13 went to District Attorney Kari Brandenburg with that question.

"The D.A.'s office has recommended to my information every time that she get jail time at the department of corrections." said Brandenburg. "Judges have discretion as to what's appropriate and what isn't."

Brandenburg says she believes the judges hearing her cases may be hopeful Litz is able to get help for drug and alcohol problems while on probation.

Also because most of her crimes are not classified as felonies the law limits how much jail time she can receive. Brandenburg points out that Litz has actually spent more time in jail waiting for her cases to go to court than judges would even be able to sentence her.

In just under two years, Litz has spent a total of 16 months behind bars.

Litz is due back in court for another probation violation hearing later this month. Her public defender and the

D.A.'s office say they are recommending time in the department of corrections. Although, it’s still up to a judge to decide whether that will actually happen.

In the meantime, she's costing taxpayers a lot of money because officers have to keep chasing her down, hauling her to court and taking her to jail.