[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-shell":3,"site-search-modal-empty-8":171,"page:cases":173,"public-chat-settings":383},{"source":4,"siteName":5,"tagline":6,"contactEmail":7,"contactPhone":8,"contactPhoneTollFree":9,"address":10,"mapsQuery":17,"ratingValue":18,"ratingSource":19,"primaryCta":20,"secondaryCta":23,"chatCta":26,"announcement":30,"google":32,"navigationPrimary":34,"navigationLegal":149},"defaults","Stephen D Aarons","Santa Fe Criminal Defense Lawyer","info@aarons.law","(505) 984-1100","(888) 984-1120",{"street":11,"city":12,"state":13,"stateFullName":14,"zip":15,"full":16},"2019 Galisteo St. Ste H1","Santa Fe","NM","New Mexico","87505","2019 Galisteo Street, Suite H1, Santa Fe, NM 87505-2106","https://www.google.com/maps/place/Stephen+D+Aarons,+Attorney+at+Law/@35.6564853,-105.9549988,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x87220cb8d5a8c3c9:0x331b6810ecf42476!8m2!3d35.6564853!4d-105.9524239!16s%2Fg%2F1tn067lx?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMyMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D",0,"",{"label":21,"url":22},"Call Now","tel:+15059841100",{"label":24,"url":25},"Contact","/contact",{"label":27,"url":28,"statusLabel":29},"Start Chat","#start-chat","24/7",{"enabled":31,"text":19,"ctaLabel":19,"ctaUrl":19,"startAt":19,"endAt":19},false,{"analyticsMeasurementId":33,"tagManagerId":19,"searchConsoleVerification":19,"tagManagerAuth":19,"tagManagerPreview":19},"G-XPE216QNM4",[35,127,133,139,145],{"id":36,"group":37,"label":38,"path":39,"externalUrl":19,"openInNewTab":31,"displayOrder":40,"children":41,"groups":42},"primary-1","primary","Cases","/cases",1,[],[43,58,70,82,97,112],{"label":44,"items":45},"DWI & DUI",[46,49,52,55],{"label":47,"path":48},"DWI / DUI Defense","/cases/dwi",{"label":50,"path":51},"First-Offense DWI","/cases/dwi/dwi-first-offense",{"label":53,"path":54},"Interlock License","/cases/dui/interlock-license",{"label":56,"path":57},"DUI Penalties","/cases/dui/mandatory-minimum-penalties-for-dui",{"label":59,"items":60},"Violent Crimes",[61,64,67],{"label":62,"path":63},"Domestic Violence","/cases/domestic-violence",{"label":65,"path":66},"Murder & Homicide","/cases/murder-homicide",{"label":68,"path":69},"Assault & Battery","/cases/violence-assault-battery",{"label":71,"items":72},"Drug & Financial",[73,76,79],{"label":74,"path":75},"Drug Offenses","/cases/drug-offenses",{"label":77,"path":78},"Embezzlement","/cases/embezzlement",{"label":80,"path":81},"Fraud","/cases/fraud",{"label":83,"items":84},"Sex & Cyber Crimes",[85,88,91,94],{"label":86,"path":87},"Sexual Offenses","/cases/sexual-offenses",{"label":89,"path":90},"Internet Sex Crimes","/cases/internet-sex-crimes",{"label":92,"path":93},"Victim – 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Use","/terms",[],{"id":162,"group":152,"label":163,"path":164,"externalUrl":19,"openInNewTab":31,"displayOrder":137,"children":165},"legal-3","Disclaimer","/disclaimer",[],{"id":167,"group":152,"label":168,"path":169,"externalUrl":19,"openInNewTab":31,"displayOrder":143,"children":170},"legal-4","Accessibility","/accessibility",[],{"query":19,"total":18,"results":172},[],{"source":4,"slug":174,"canonicalPath":39,"title":175,"status":176,"seoTitle":177,"seoDescription":178,"ogImage":19,"sections":179},"cases","Cases | Stephen D Aarons","published","Criminal Defense Practice Areas | Stephen D Aarons","All criminal defense practice areas handled by Stephen D Aarons in New Mexico — DWI, DUI, drug crimes, domestic violence, federal charges, violent crimes, sexual offenses, fraud, and more.",[180,190,341,351,374],{"id":181,"type":182,"displayOrder":40,"payload":183},"cases-hero","hero",{"eyebrow":184,"title":185,"description":186,"primaryCtaLabel":187,"primaryCtaUrl":22,"secondaryCtaLabel":188,"secondaryCtaUrl":130,"imageUrl":19,"variant":189},"Practice Areas","Criminal defense cases handled across New Mexico.","Every charge carries its own risks, deadlines, and strategy decisions. Browse every practice area below — from first-time DWI to federal prosecution — and find the right starting point for your situation.","Call (505) 984-1100","What Happens Next","compact",{"id":191,"type":192,"displayOrder":131,"payload":193},"cases-directory","practice_area_directory",{"eyebrow":194,"title":195,"description":196,"categories":197},"All Practice Areas","Find the right starting point for your case.","New Mexico criminal defense across felony and misdemeanor charges. Select a category below to jump to that practice area, or browse the full directory.",[198,245,254,270,282,294,304],{"id":199,"label":200,"title":201,"description":202,"items":203},"dwi-dui","DWI / DUI","DWI & DUI Charges","Alcohol and drug impairment charges — from a first-time DUI to a felony seventh-offense DWI. Mandatory minimums escalate with each conviction; early action matters.",[204,206,210,215,220,225,230,235,240,242],{"title":47,"description":205,"url":48},"Alcohol, drug, or combination impairment charges. Dual court and MVD proceedings, testing procedure issues, and what a conviction carries at each offense level.",{"title":207,"description":208,"url":51,"badge":209},"DWI: 1st Offense","First-offense DWI is a misdemeanor but carries license consequences, fines, and potential jail time.","1st Offense",{"title":211,"description":212,"url":213,"badge":214},"DWI: 2nd Offense","Second offense elevates consequences and begins triggering mandatory minimums and ignition interlock.","/cases/dwi/dwi-second-offense","2nd Offense",{"title":216,"description":217,"url":218,"badge":219},"DWI: 3rd Offense","Third offense is an aggravated DWI and can be charged as a felony. Incarceration risk is significant.","/cases/dwi/dwi-third-offense","3rd Offense",{"title":221,"description":222,"url":223,"badge":224},"DWI: 4th Offense","Fourth offense DWI is a fourth-degree felony. Prior convictions compound sentencing exposure.","/cases/dwi/dwi-fourth-offense","4th Offense",{"title":226,"description":227,"url":228,"badge":229},"DWI: 5th Offense","Fifth offense DWI is a third-degree felony. Mandatory incarceration and lengthy license revocation.","/cases/dwi/dwi-fifth-offense","5th Offense",{"title":231,"description":232,"url":233,"badge":234},"DWI: 6th Offense","Sixth offense is a third-degree felony with enhanced mandatory minimums. Early legal action is essential.","/cases/dwi/dwi-sixth-offense","6th Offense",{"title":236,"description":237,"url":238,"badge":239},"DWI: 7th Offense","Seventh offense is the most serious DWI level. Third-degree felony with maximum mandatory penalties.","/cases/dwi/dwi-seventh-offense","7th Offense",{"title":53,"description":241,"url":54},"Restricted driving privileges with ignition interlock device requirements after a DWI conviction or license revocation.",{"title":243,"description":244,"url":57},"Mandatory Minimum DUI Penalties","Overview of the mandatory minimum jail terms and fines that apply automatically to DUI convictions in New Mexico.",{"id":246,"label":247,"title":248,"description":249,"items":250},"drug-crimes","Drug Crimes","Drug & Controlled Substance Charges","Possession, distribution, and trafficking charges involving controlled substances. Search-and-seizure issues are frequently central, and federal jurisdiction can apply.",[251],{"title":74,"description":252,"url":75,"badge":253},"Comprehensive defense for possession, distribution, trafficking, and drug conspiracy charges in New Mexico state court.","State & Federal",{"id":255,"label":59,"title":256,"description":257,"items":258},"violent-crimes","Violent Crimes & Weapons Charges","Serious felony allegations where jail or prison time is on the line. Includes assault, weapons charges, domestic violence, and homicide.",[259,261,264,266],{"title":62,"description":260,"url":63},"Allegations involving household or family members. Immediate no-contact orders, firearm restrictions, and custody implications.",{"title":262,"description":263,"url":69},"Violence – Assault & Battery","From misdemeanor battery to aggravated felony assault. Penalties escalate with weapons, injuries, or protected victims.",{"title":101,"description":265,"url":102},"Unlawful possession, prohibited person cases, and firearm enhancements that can transform a lesser charge into a serious felony.",{"title":267,"description":268,"url":66,"badge":269},"Murder / Homicide","New Mexico criminal homicide charges from manslaughter to first-degree murder. Complex forensic and evidentiary issues.","Felony",{"id":271,"label":86,"title":272,"description":273,"items":274},"sexual-offenses","Sexual Offenses & Child Victim Cases","Among the most serious allegations in the system — carrying severe penalties, registration consequences, and lasting collateral effects even without a conviction.",[275,277,279],{"title":86,"description":276,"url":87,"badge":269},"Non-consensual contact to serious felony allegations. Investigations are often statement-driven with limited physical evidence.",{"title":89,"description":278,"url":90},"Online solicitation, digital evidence, and undercover investigation cases. Allegations escalate quickly to felony charges.",{"title":92,"description":280,"url":93,"badge":281},"Cases involving alleged child victims. Specialized investigators, forensic interviews, and enhanced penalties apply.","Enhanced",{"id":283,"label":284,"title":285,"description":286,"items":287},"property-financial","Property & Financial","Property, Fraud & Financial Crimes","Non-violent charges with serious felony exposure. Document-heavy cases where intent is the central issue.",[288,290,292],{"title":80,"description":289,"url":81},"Deception for financial or personal gain. Penalties escalate with the amount of alleged loss and the number of victims.",{"title":77,"description":291,"url":78},"Misuse of entrusted funds in employment or business relationships. Often charged long after the alleged conduct occurred.",{"title":95,"description":293,"url":96},"Non-sexual cybercrime: unauthorized access, identity theft, online fraud. State or federal jurisdiction depending on scope.",{"id":295,"label":296,"title":297,"description":298,"items":299},"probation-post-conviction","Probation & Appeals","Probation, Warrants & Post-Conviction","Protecting rights after sentencing. Probation violations, bench warrants, and sentence reconsideration all require fast, targeted action.",[300,302],{"title":104,"description":301,"url":105},"Technical or substantive violations. Lower standard of proof than at trial; can result in revocation and original sentence.",{"title":107,"description":303,"url":108},"Time-sensitive motion to modify a sentence already imposed. Strict deadlines apply — must be pursued quickly.",{"id":305,"label":110,"title":306,"description":307,"items":308},"federal-crimes","Federal Criminal Defense","Federal cases move faster, use stricter rules, and carry structured sentencing guidelines. If federal agents are involved, early counsel is critical.",[309,312,316,320,324,328,332,336],{"title":306,"description":310,"url":111,"badge":311},"Overview of federal prosecution in New Mexico — investigations, detention hearings, and guideline sentencing.","Directory",{"title":313,"description":314,"url":315},"Federal Drug Crimes","Trafficking, distribution, and conspiracy under federal statutes. Mandatory minimums and guideline ranges drive exposure.","/federal-crimes/federal-drug-crimes",{"title":317,"description":318,"url":319},"Federal Firearm Offenses","§ 924(c) and prohibited-person cases. Federal firearm charges often carry mandatory consecutive sentences.","/federal-crimes/federal-firearms",{"title":321,"description":322,"url":323},"Federal Fraud & Financial Crimes","Wire, mail, bank, and PPP/CARES fraud. Document-intensive cases with broad conspiracy exposure.","/federal-crimes/federal-fraud",{"title":325,"description":326,"url":327},"Illegal Re-Entry","Prosecution under 8 U.S.C. § 1326. Immigration-based federal charges with specific guideline considerations.","/federal-crimes/illegal-reentry",{"title":329,"description":330,"url":331},"Money Laundering","Structuring, concealment, and promotion allegations. Often charged alongside underlying predicate offenses.","/federal-crimes/money-laundering",{"title":333,"description":334,"url":335},"Federal Conspiracy","Broad liability that sweeps in co-defendants. Agreement and overt act are the key elements the government must prove.","/federal-crimes/federal-conspiracy",{"title":337,"description":338,"url":339,"badge":340},"Federal Child Exploitation","Digital evidence, mandatory minimums, and severe sentencing. Among the most severely prosecuted federal offenses.","/federal-crimes/child-exploitation","Mandatory Mins.",{"id":342,"type":343,"displayOrder":137,"payload":344},"cases-strategy","rich_text",{"eyebrow":345,"title":346,"paragraphs":347,"variant":350},"Approach","Defense starts with facts, timing, and court context.",[348,349],"No two cases are identical, even when charges look similar on paper. Effective defense work begins with the police reports, witness statements, digital evidence, and procedural timeline — not with a generic strategy chosen before the record is reviewed.","From there, strategy focuses on protecting constitutional rights, challenging weak or unreliable evidence, and pursuing outcomes that protect freedom, record, and future options. Whether a case ends in dismissal, negotiated resolution, or trial, preparation from day one shapes every outcome.","alt",{"id":352,"type":353,"displayOrder":143,"payload":354},"cases-faq","faq",{"eyebrow":355,"title":356,"description":357,"items":358},"Questions","Common questions about case types.","Use this as a starting guide, then contact the office for case-specific advice.",[359,362,365,368,371],{"question":360,"answer":361},"I am not sure whether my charge is felony or misdemeanor. What should I do?","Bring the citation, complaint, or booking paperwork to your first call. Charge level, enhancement allegations, and court assignment all affect strategy and urgency. Do not assume the level based on the arrest — charges are sometimes elevated before arraignment.",{"question":363,"answer":364},"Can domestic violence allegations affect custody or employment quickly?","Yes. Protective orders, release conditions, and background visibility can create immediate consequences. Fast legal action helps reduce avoidable fallout and can limit the early-case decisions that tend to compound over time.",{"question":366,"answer":367},"My charge is listed under both /cases and /federal-crimes — which applies to me?","State charges are prosecuted by the New Mexico Attorney General or a district attorney. Federal charges are prosecuted by an Assistant U.S. Attorney in federal court, usually after a federal investigation. If you are unsure, the court assignment on your paperwork will clarify which system you are in.",{"question":369,"answer":370},"When should appeals or habeas options be reviewed?","As soon as possible after conviction or sentencing events. Post-conviction work depends on strict deadlines and complete record review. Waiting even a few weeks can limit available options.",{"question":372,"answer":373},"Can old charges ever be removed from my record?","Some records may qualify for expungement under New Mexico law. Eligibility depends on case outcome, waiting periods, and statutory requirements. See the Expungement section for a full overview.",{"id":375,"type":376,"displayOrder":147,"payload":377},"cases-cta","cta_band",{"eyebrow":378,"title":379,"description":380,"primaryCtaLabel":187,"primaryCtaUrl":22,"secondaryCtaLabel":381,"secondaryCtaUrl":382},"Need Immediate Help","Get guidance before your next court date.","A short conversation now can prevent costly mistakes later. Contact the office to review your charge and timeline. Free consultation. 24-hour answering service. Payment plans available.","Send Case Details","/contact#contact-form-guidance",{"enabled":31,"followUpEnabled":384,"title":385,"assistantName":385,"eyebrow":27,"description":386,"welcomeHeadline":387,"welcomeBody":388,"inputPlaceholder":389,"statusLabel":390,"suggestedPrompts":391,"form":395,"review":406},true,"Aarons Law Chat","Calm first-step guidance for urgent criminal defense questions.","Tell me what is happening.","Keep it general at first. If the situation is urgent, recent, or someone is in custody, call (505) 984-1100.","Tell us what happened in broad terms. Avoid confidential details for now.","Available 24/7",[392,393,394],"Someone was arrested last night. What should we do first?","Can you explain what happens after a DWI arrest in New Mexico?","I need the office to review this chat and follow up directly.",{"enabled":384,"triggers":396,"headline":402,"description":403,"submitLabel":404,"successMessage":405},[397,398,399,400,401],"contact me","call me","follow up","consultation","talk to a lawyer","Request office follow-up","Share a few details and the office can review the chat and follow up directly.","Send Follow-Up Request","Your follow-up request has been sent to the office.",{"enabled":384,"triggers":407,"threshold":143,"geoPreference":384,"clickTracking":384,"askHeadline":416,"askDescription":417,"positiveHeadline":418,"positiveDescription":419,"negativeHeadline":420,"negativeDescription":421,"reviewSites":422},[408,409,410,411,412,413,414,415],"leave a review","write a review","review","feedback","testimonial","google review","yelp","avvo","How would you rate your experience?","Choose a rating so we can route you to the right next step.","Thank you for the kind words!","Would you mind sharing your experience on one of the review platforms below?","We are sorry to hear that.","Tell us what happened and the office can review it directly.",[]]