Edgewood sits in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, and is known as the place where the mountains meet the plains. As a result, many travelers make their way through town every year throughout the skiing season and the summer months. Inevitably, some people come through Edgewood and find themselves in legal trouble. If you are facing criminal charges, do not waste time before consulting with an Edgewood criminal defense attorney.
A criminal attorney with the New Mexico Criminal Law Offices can help defend you against your criminal charges and pursue the most favorable outcome for you.
Contact New Mexico Criminal Law Offices today so we can start reviewing your case.
How Can an Edgewood Criminal Defense Lawyer Help My Case?
An Edgewood criminal defense lawyer can help prepare a defense strategy that offers you the best opportunity to get your charges reduced or dismissed.
We can assist in your case by:
- Finding eyewitnesses to testify on your behalf,
- Determining if a valid defense applies to your case, and
- Negotiating with the district attorney to secure a favorable plea agreement.
We may explore defenses such as mistaken identity, insufficient evidence, violations of your constitutional rights, or self-defense. For instance, if law enforcement conducted an illegal search or failed to follow proper arrest procedures, we could seek to suppress evidence that was unlawfully obtained. We also commonly challenge the sufficiency of the prosecution’s case, arguing that they cannot meet every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
The sooner you consult with us, the sooner we can start building a defense strategy for your case. There is no one-size-fits-all defense strategy for criminal charges.
We will work with you to learn every detail of your case so we can poke holes in the prosecution’s theory of the crime. We will use all of our expertise to advocate on your behalf.
We handle a wide variety of criminal cases, including those listed below.
Property Crimes
Property crimes make up a large portion of criminal charges in today’s system. A property crime means any criminal act that involves a piece of property, such as:
- Theft and larceny,
- Shoplifting,
- Car theft,
- Criminal mischief, and
- Destruction of property.
Your charges often depend on the value of the item(s) you stole and where you stole the property from. There are several valid defenses for different types of property crimes.
Contact an Edgewood criminal defense attorney to determine whether a legal defense applies to your case.
Drug Crimes
Drug crimes vary widely based on what you were doing with the drugs, where they were found, and the quantity of drugs in your possession when you were arrested.
Common drug crimes include:
- Possession of a controlled substance,
- Possession with intent to distribute, or
- Trafficking in controlled substances.
In New Mexico, controlled substances include the following:
- Heroin,
- Cocaine,
- Ecstasy,
- Methamphetamine, and
- MDMA.
Drug possession charges typically carry the least severe consequences when compared to other drug crimes like trafficking. However, even a simple possession charge can result in jail time and significant fines.
DUI/DWI
Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is a serious offense that carries serious consequences.
According to a report by the New Mexico Department of Transportation, the state recorded 10,376 DWI arrests at the county level in 2019. New Mexico imposes serious penalties for driving under the influence.
Hiring an Edgewood DUI/DWI attorney to represent your case can help you avoid jail time.
The penalty for driving under the influence depends somewhat on previous prior drunk driving convictions.
A first-time conviction carries a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
A second-time conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of four days in jail with a maximum jail sentence of up to 364 days. The judge could also impose a fine of between $500 and $1,000.
A third-time conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days in jail. But you could get a jail sentence of up to 364 days along with a fine between $750 and $1,000.
Contact New Mexico Criminal Law Offices today so we can start reviewing your case.
Sex Crimes
Sex crimes carry severe criminal penalties and a negative stigma beyond criminal consequences. It does not take much for allegations of sex crimes to destroy someone’s reputation.
Sex crimes allegations that arise most frequently include:
- Rape,
- Attempted rape,
- Incest,
- Sexual assault,
- Criminal sexual contact,
- Sexual harassment,
- Child molestation,
- Indecent exposure, and
- Sexual exploitation.
You need to act fast if you are facing allegations of committing a sex crime. You are facing strict penalties and might be required to register as a sex offender.
We understand that not everyone accused of a sex crime is guilty. We will help you prepare a solid legal defense and fight to secure a favorable outcome.
Domestic Violence
In New Mexico, “domestic violence” is defined as one household member inflicting any of the following against another household member (NMSA 40-13-2):
- Physical injuries,
- Severe emotional distress,
- Threats of imminent bodily harm,
- Bodily harm,
- Criminal trespass,
- Destruction of property,
- Stalking,
- Harm or threatening harm to children, or
- Telephone harassment.
A “household member” can include a spouse, family member, or person in an ongoing personal relationship with the accused. Domestic violence convictions typically carry even more severe penalties than the underlying offenses you committed.
Therefore, a conviction can negatively impact you and your family far into the future. Contact New Mexico Criminal Law Offices to discuss your domestic violence case.
Local Attorneys Know Edgewood Courts Best
If you are searching for a “criminal lawyer near me,” it’s important to hire a lawyer for criminal defense with local experience. Local attorneys are familiar with the judges, courtroom procedures, and the specific rules that can vary between courthouses. This understanding allows them to tailor strategies that align with the practices of Edgewood courts.
A local criminal attorney also has working relationships with the following:
- District attorneys,
- Law enforcement,
- Court staff, and
- Other key figures involved in the legal process.
These relationships can facilitate open communication and negotiations, potentially reducing charges, lighter sentences, or other favorable outcomes.
Court procedures in smaller jurisdictions like Edgewood may differ from those in larger cities, requiring a detailed understanding of:
- Local timelines,
- Filing requirements, and
- Court expectations.
An attorney rooted in the community ensures that your case is handled efficiently and effectively, avoiding unnecessary delays or errors that could impact your case.
Choosing a local lawyer for criminal defense demonstrates your commitment to ensuring the best possible outcome. At the New Mexico Criminal Law Offices, we routinely represent clients in Edgewood courts, giving us in-depth knowledge of Edgewood’s unique court processes and dynamics.
Let Our Edgewood Criminal Defense Attorney Assist with Your Case
Our team of attorneys have over two decades of combined experience assisting clients with their criminal charges.
We will ensure that you have direct access to your case at all times and will not ignore your concerns. New Mexico Criminal Law Offices focus solely on criminal defense cases, dedicating all of our time to representing those facing criminal accusations.
We will not make any assumptions about your case before you can give us every piece of information you have.Unfortunately, some people make the mistake of trying to represent themselves against serious criminal penalties. This can lead to devastating consequences and spending a chunk of time in prison. Let one of our experienced criminal lawyers fight for you. Contact our office today.