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Rio Rancho DUI Lawyers

Knowledgeable Rio Rancho DUI Attorneys Ready To Help You

Yes, You CAN Fight Back – and We Can Show You How

Rio Rancho, one of the fastest-growing urban areas in New Mexico, is the hub of Sandoval County and it even extends a bit into Bernalillo County. Traffic along the Pat D’Arco Highway, among other major thoroughfares, can get congested at times – and there is no shortage of traffic accidents. A significant minority of these accidents are alcohol-related.

Because of this harsh reality, prosecutors are out for blood when they deal with a DUI defendant. As an experienced law firm, however, it is our job to force the prosecutor to prove every element of the charge against you beyond a reasonable doubt. And that is what we do — day in and day out. In fact, we couldn’t sleep at night if we didn’t. Let our proven Rio Rancho DUI Lawyers at New Mexico Criminal Offices handle your case.

Don’t Play the Victim – “Nice Guys” Really Do Finish Last in the New Mexico Criminal Justice System

The irony of the New Mexico criminal justice system is that, although it was designed to protect the innocent and punish the guilty, its adversarial nature ensures that, to the extent that “nice” means passive and compliant, it punishes “nice” defendants and rewards defendants who retain lawyers who are willing to come out swinging. At New Mexico Criminal Law Offices, we are veterans of many a fight and our dedicated Rio Rancho DUI attorneys are absolutely ready and willing to lace up our gloves for you.

A Word From One of Our Clients

“Jack Mkhitarian is great! Professional Service throughout the process always gave positive feedback. I was just given a conditional discharge of my multiple felonies. Thank you Jack Mkhitarian for believing in me. Great Firm!!! Great Team!!!” – Anthony C.

Our Other Areas of Practice

New Mexico Criminal Law Offices focuses its practice on defending people charged with crimes. Below are some common DUI-related crimes that our defense attorneys frequently handle:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the legal alcohol limit in New Mexico?

For most adults over the age of 21, the legal limit for alcohol that registers on a breathalyzer is .08, just like most of the country. So if you “blow” a .08 or higher in New Mexico, you are legally “drunk” for the purposes of a DUI. And please keep in mind that you do not necessarily have to feel drunk or even tipsy to register a .08. How you feel is actually a poor indicator of what you would blow if you were stopped by the police, so relying on that to save you from criminal charges is a longshot.

If you are under 21 years old, then the legal limit is .02. Obviously, this is a very low number and it would be wise to completely and totally abstain from alcohol if you are driving – particularly if you are under 21. You are still proving your driving skills up until this age, and a DUI charge this early in the game could affect your insurance rates for years to come (among other things).

And if you are a commercial driver, the legal limit is .04, or half of the limit for regular drivers. Answer all your questions from a knowledgeable Rio Rancho DUI lawyer.

What are some potential defenses against a DUI charge?

The penalties for DUI can be stiff and may include jail time, loss of your driving privileges, compulsory community service, fines, and indirect penalties such as the loss of your job. Many possible defenses exist as well, including:

  • You were driving well and the officer pulled you over without a legitimate reason (this defense doesn’t apply to DUI checkpoints, however).
  • Mistake of Fact: You may have been under the influence of a prescription drug that you had no reason to believe was intoxicating, for example.
  • Necessity: You were rushing your injured friend to the hospital, for example, under circumstances that left no time for you to wait for an ambulance to arrive.
  • Entrapment: The police enticed you into committing the crime so that they could arrest you for it.
  • Many other defenses, depending on the specific facts of your case.

What is implied consent and how might it affect my case?

Implied consent is a New Mexico law that requires you to submit to chemical testing (such as a Breathalyzer test) if an officer legitimately suspects you of DUI. Refusal to do so could subject you to the loss of your driving privileges even if you were sober as a judge. You might also be convicted of DUI as well, based on other evidence such as a field sobriety test.

Am I safe from civil liability if I am acquitted?

Not necessarily. If you were involved in an accident but were acquitted of DUI, you could still be sued for injuries arising from the accident. The standard of proof for DUI is much lower for a civil lawsuit than for a criminal prosecution, and the accident could still be ruled your fault even if you had were sober at the time of the accident.

Decisiveness and Aggressiveness Make All the Difference

Being charged with a crime like DUI is no time to indulge in procrastination. Missing a deadline, for example, could doom your defense. You need professional legal assistance, right away. Who you choose to represent you could make all the difference in your case – and in your life. At New Mexico Criminal Law, our DUI legal team has shaved a grand total of thousands of years of prison time that our clients were originally given and we have won complete acquittals for many more.

Contact the Trusted and Proven Rio Rancho DUI Lawyer Today

If you have been charged with DUI, call us or complete our online contact form to schedule a meeting with us. The clock began ticking the moment you were charged – don’t let it tick any further. Our Rio Rancho DUI attorney serves clients from throughout Rio Rancho, including Diamond Ridge, Sara’s Meadow, Enchanted Hills, and elsewhere in town.