New Mexico Criminal Defense Attorneys
New Mexico is home to a number of landmarks such as the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, and the Bandelier National Monument. It is also home to a number of academic institutions such as the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University. The state is also unique in that it shares a border with three other states in what is known as the Four Corners region. Of course, if you commit a crime while spending time in the state, you may also get the chance to spend time inside of a local holding facility.
You Don’t Have to Help the Investigators
If you are taken into custody, you don’t have to say anything that might incriminate yourself. For instance, if the police ask you if there is anything inside of your car, you don’t have to volunteer the fact that there might be weed or an open bottle of beer. You also don’t have to admit that you were drinking prior to a traffic stop or that you were speeding prior to being pulled over.
You may assume that admitting to consuming a small amount of alcohol or a small amount of a controlled substance may earn some leeway with an officer. However, the truth is that it may give the officer probable cause to search your car or to detain you. Furthermore, your admission may make it easier to justify charging you with a crime even if the evidence against you is shaky at best.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA
Amanda Marshall
Former U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Joe Brown
Former U.S. Attorney
& Former District Attorney
Local Counsel
John W. Sellers
Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Local Counsel
Linda Julin McNamara
Former Chief, DOJ Appeals
Local Counsel
Joanne Fine DeLena
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Aaron L. Wiley
Former Federal Prosecutor
Local Counsel
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (OIG)
Chris Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Kevin M. Sheridan
Former Special Agent (FBI)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Dennis A. Wichern
Former Special Agent-in-Charge (DEA)
Hire an Attorney as Quickly as Possible
It’s generally in your best interest to hire an attorney as quickly as possible after being charged with a crime or after being named as a person of interest in a case. Having an attorney by your side may give you the confidence needed to remain quiet or to refrain from accepting a poor plea deal.
Your New Mexico criminal defense attorney may take a number of steps to help you obtain a favorable outcome in your case. For example, your legal advocate might gather evidence that creates doubt about the veracity of the government’s case. Evidence might include witness statements that contradict what a police officer or a supposed victim said just before you were taken into custody.
An attorney may also obtain DNA evidence that might contradict the narrative about how a murder or sexual assault occurred. Other steps may include engaging in plea negotiations, making statements to the media, or taking other actions that allow you to focus on your own needs while a case plays out.
The Potential Benefits of Hiring The Criminal Defense Firm
The attorneys at The Criminal Defense Firm are mostly former agents and former federal prosecutors. This means that you will have access to legal counsel who understands what the government may be thinking as a case unfolds. This can be beneficial because understanding how the government thinks may prevent you from making an unforced error or underestimating the chances of getting a favorable plea deal or an acquittal.
For instance, if state authorities choose to charge you with a misdemeanor instead of a felony, it might mean that the case against you isn’t ironclad. It may also mean that the government doesn’t consider your crime to be a serious one, which means that it might be possible to negotiate a plea deal.
It’s worth noting that your attorney will continue to take an aggressive stance even if you indicate that you’d like a plea deal. This helps to ensure that you don’t lose any leverage that might be needed to get the deal that you want. In some cases, continuing to fight the case might result in charges being dropped entirely.
The Types of Cases Our Firm Handles
If you are charged with almost any type of crime, you can feel confident that our firm will be ready to help you. Whether you are charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, a conviction may result in serious penalties such as jail or prison time, a fine, or community service. If you are convicted of drunk or reckless driving, you may lose your right to operate a motor vehicle. Let’s take a look at some of the types of cases that our attorneys might be able to help you with.
Drunk Driving
You can be charged with drunk driving if there is reason to believe that you are impaired by alcohol. However, the law says that you are guilty of DUI if you’re found to have operated a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher. You may additional penalties if your actions caused property damage, bodily injury, or death.
Larceny
Larceny occurs when you take something that doesn’t belong to you without the owner’s permission. You may also be guilty of larceny if you fail to return an item that you originally had permission to use. Examples of larceny may include taking your neighbor’s lawn mower, $1,000 in cash from a grocery store register, or stealing a car from the auto lot down the street from your house.
Violent Crimes
Murder, manslaughter, or aggravated assault are typically considered to be violent felonies because they often lead to serious bodily injury or death. A conviction on a felony charge may result in spending the rest of your life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of defenses might be used in a criminal case?
There are several defenses that might be used depending on the circumstances of your case. For instance, your attorney may argue that you weren’t in town at the time an incident occurred or that the person who accused you of a crime was lying in an effort to make you look bad. Your attorney may also cast doubt on the results of a chemical test taken during a traffic stop or the results of a DNA test. Finally, your attorney may argue that you were the victim of an illegal search and seizure or that other rights were violated during the course of an investigation.
What happens if I don't hire an attorney right away?
The longer that you wait to hire an attorney, the easier it may be for the government to obtain a conviction in its case against you. With an attorney, there is a good chance that you’ll learn what the government knows in a timely manner. This may reduce the odds that you’ll say anything that might help fill in the gaps or make decisions without access to pertinent information. Furthermore, the government tends to have more respect for those who have legal counsel because authorities know that they have to investigate by the book.
Can authorities conduct a search without a warrant?
There are several ways in which authorities can conduct a search without a warrant. One example is that they can search your car, home, or other belongings if you give them permission to do so. Another is if evidence of a crime is in plain view from a place where police have a right to be.
What happens if I try to stop a valid search?
If authorities have a valid warrant to search your home, car, or other belongings, you must allow the search to occur. Failure to do so may result in being detained for the duration of the search as well as being charged with obstructing an investigation. A New Mexico criminal defense attorney may be able to help you after a search is conducted if you think that it was improperly conducted.
What should I know about the initial consultation?
During the initial consultation, you will have a chance to talk about yourself, your case, and what you might consider to be a favorable outcome. The consultation takes about 15 to 30 minutes, is free, and does not imply any relationship between yourself and the firm. However, anything that you say will likely be covered by attorney-client privilege as you are talking to someone who may eventually be your lawyer. Therefore, you need an opportunity to speak openly about your case.
Contact Us Today for Legal Representation in New Mexico
If you are in need of a New Mexico criminal defense attorney, don’t hesitate to contact The Criminal Defense Firm through the live chat feature on our website or through our national intake number at 866-603-4540.