[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-shell":3,"site-search-modal-empty-8":171,"page:cases/firearm-offenses":173,"public-chat-settings":293},{"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 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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":102,"title":175,"status":176,"seoTitle":177,"seoDescription":178,"ogImage":19,"sections":179},"cases/firearm-offenses","Firearm Offenses | Stephen D Aarons","published","Firearm Offenses Defense | Stephen D Aarons","Firearm and weapons offense defense in New Mexico. Unlawful possession, enhancements.",[180,187,194,204,223,234,243,263,283],{"id":181,"type":181,"displayOrder":40,"payload":182},"hero",{"eyebrow":183,"title":101,"description":184,"primaryCtaLabel":21,"primaryCtaUrl":22,"secondaryCtaLabel":185,"secondaryCtaUrl":130,"imageUrl":19,"variant":186},"Criminal Defense","Firearm offenses in New Mexico range from unlawful possession to serious felony enhancements tied to other alleged crimes. These cases carry unique risks because firearm allegations can escalate penalties quickly, limit plea options, and trigger permanent consequences under both state and federal law.","What Happens Next","compact",{"id":188,"type":189,"displayOrder":131,"payload":190},"disclaimer","rich_text",{"eyebrow":19,"title":191,"paragraphs":192,"variant":188},"Important",[193],"This is general information, not legal advice. If an arrest happened recently or you believe you are under investigation, do not explain anything to law enforcement before speaking with counsel.",{"id":195,"type":189,"displayOrder":137,"payload":196},"overview",{"eyebrow":197,"title":198,"paragraphs":199},"Overview","Firearm allegations can transform an otherwise lower-level charge into a serious felony with mandatory consequences.",[200,201,202,203],"Firearm offenses involve allegations that a person unlawfully possessed, used, carried, or discharged a firearm, or possessed a firearm while prohibited. In many cases, firearm allegations are attached to other charges—such as assault, drug offenses, or domestic violence—dramatically increasing exposure even if the underlying offense is relatively minor.","The state alleges that an individual unlawfully possessed, carried, used, or discharged a firearm, or possessed a firearm while legally prohibited. Charges may also arise when a firearm is allegedly used during the commission of another offense.","Common fact patterns: firearm discovered during a traffic stop or search; allegations of firearm use during an assault or dispute; possession by a person with a prior conviction; firearm found in proximity to drugs or alleged trafficking; disputes over ownership, access, or control of a weapon.","After arrest or charging, firearm cases proceed in criminal court and often involve immediate restrictions on possession. Prosecutors may pursue sentence enhancements or additional charges based solely on the presence of a firearm.",{"id":205,"type":206,"displayOrder":143,"payload":207},"key-points","feature_grid",{"eyebrow":19,"title":208,"description":19,"numbered":209,"items":210},"Key points",true,[211,214,217,220],{"label":212,"title":213,"description":19},"Enhancements","Firearm charges often enhance other criminal allegations",{"label":215,"title":216,"description":19},"Prohibitions","Certain convictions result in permanent firearm prohibitions",{"label":218,"title":219,"description":19},"Federal overlap","Federal law frequently overlaps with state firearm cases",{"label":221,"title":222,"description":19},"Early decisions","Early decisions can limit or expand available defenses",{"id":224,"type":189,"displayOrder":147,"payload":225},"penalties",{"eyebrow":226,"title":227,"paragraphs":228,"variant":233},"Penalties & Exposure","What the state is seeking",[229,230,231,232],"In firearm cases, the state may seek incarceration, probation, fines, forfeiture of weapons, and permanent loss of firearm rights. Penalties increase sharply when firearms are alleged to have been used in connection with violence or other felonies.","Unlawful possession may be charged as a felony. Firearm enhancements can add mandatory prison time. Repeat or prohibited-person cases carry higher exposure.","Certain charges or convictions result in temporary or permanent bans on firearm possession under state and federal law. These consequences can apply even when a case does not result in prison time.","Firearm convictions can affect: future sentencing exposure; employment in regulated or security-sensitive fields; professional licenses; federal prosecution eligibility.","alt",{"id":235,"type":189,"displayOrder":236,"payload":237},"defenses",6,{"eyebrow":238,"title":239,"paragraphs":240},"How These Cases Are Defended","Common defense themes",[241,242],"Lawful ownership or possession; lack of knowledge or control over the firearm; unlawful search or seizure; improper application of enhancements; constitutional challenges.","These cases frequently turn on whether possession can be proven and whether the firearm was lawfully discovered. Suppression of evidence can significantly alter exposure. Firearm cases often hinge on possession, control, and legality of the search rather than actual use of the weapon.",{"id":244,"type":244,"displayOrder":245,"payload":246},"faq",7,{"eyebrow":247,"title":248,"description":249,"items":250},"Common Questions","Frequently asked","Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. Every case is different — call for a private consultation.",[251,254,257,260],{"question":252,"answer":253},"When should I contact a lawyer after an arrest?","As soon as possible — ideally before speaking with law enforcement about the facts of the case. The right to remain silent is one of the most important protections available. Statements made before consulting counsel can be used against you and are very difficult to walk back later.",{"question":255,"answer":256},"Do I have to answer questions from law enforcement?","Generally, no. You have the right to remain silent. While you must provide identifying information in certain situations, you are not required to discuss the details of your case. Politely invoking your right to remain silent and requesting an attorney is not an admission of guilt — it is a constitutional right.",{"question":258,"answer":259},"What happens at an arraignment?","An arraignment is typically your first formal court appearance after charges are filed. The judge informs you of the charges and you enter a plea. Bond conditions and conditions of release are often set at this stage. Having counsel present at arraignment can influence bail decisions and early case direction.",{"question":261,"answer":262},"Can charges be dismissed or reduced?","Yes, in many cases. Charges may be dismissed or reduced depending on evidence issues, constitutional violations, plea negotiations, or other legal factors. No outcome can be guaranteed, but early defense preparation significantly expands the range of available options before key procedural deadlines pass.",{"id":264,"type":265,"displayOrder":266,"payload":267},"related","promo_cards",8,{"eyebrow":268,"title":19,"cards":269},"Related Practice Areas",[270,274,277,279,281],{"title":271,"body":272,"ctaLabel":273,"ctaUrl":48},"DUI","Drug or combination impairment charges. Dual court and MVD proceedings. Outcomes often hinge on testing procedure.","Learn more",{"title":275,"body":276,"ctaLabel":273,"ctaUrl":48},"DWI","Alcohol impairment with prior convictions. Mandatory minimums escalate with each offense. Early action matters.",{"title":74,"body":278,"ctaLabel":273,"ctaUrl":75},"Possession, distribution, and trafficking. Penalties range widely. Search-and-seizure issues frequently central.",{"title":62,"body":280,"ctaLabel":273,"ctaUrl":63},"State-controlled prosecution. Immediate no-contact orders, firearm restrictions, and custody implications.",{"title":104,"body":282,"ctaLabel":273,"ctaUrl":105},"Technical or substantive violations. Can result in revocation and exposure to original sentence.",{"id":284,"type":285,"displayOrder":286,"payload":287},"cta","cta_band",9,{"eyebrow":288,"title":289,"description":290,"primaryCtaLabel":291,"primaryCtaUrl":22,"secondaryCtaLabel":292,"secondaryCtaUrl":39},"Talk to counsel before the state defines your case for you.","Early decisions often control everything that follows.","If you are under investigation or facing charges, a short, private consult can clarify exposure, options, and next steps. Free consultation. 24-hour answering service. Payment plans available in many cases.","Call 505-984-1100 Now","Browse All Cases",{"enabled":31,"followUpEnabled":209,"title":294,"assistantName":294,"eyebrow":27,"description":295,"welcomeHeadline":296,"welcomeBody":297,"inputPlaceholder":298,"statusLabel":299,"suggestedPrompts":300,"form":304,"review":315},"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",[301,302,303],"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":209,"triggers":305,"headline":311,"description":312,"submitLabel":313,"successMessage":314},[306,307,308,309,310],"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":209,"triggers":316,"threshold":143,"geoPreference":209,"clickTracking":209,"askHeadline":325,"askDescription":326,"positiveHeadline":327,"positiveDescription":328,"negativeHeadline":329,"negativeDescription":330,"reviewSites":331},[317,318,319,320,321,322,323,324],"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.",[]]