[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-shell":3,"site-search-modal-empty-8":171,"page:cases/murder-homicide":173,"public-chat-settings":294},{"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 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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":66,"title":175,"status":176,"seoTitle":177,"seoDescription":178,"ogImage":19,"sections":179},"cases/murder-homicide","Murder / Homicide | Stephen D Aarons","published","Murder Homicide Defense | Stephen D Aarons","Murder and homicide defense in New Mexico. Most serious criminal allegations.",[180,188,195,205,224,235,244,264,284],{"id":181,"type":181,"displayOrder":40,"payload":182},"hero",{"eyebrow":183,"title":184,"description":185,"primaryCtaLabel":21,"primaryCtaUrl":22,"secondaryCtaLabel":186,"secondaryCtaUrl":130,"imageUrl":19,"variant":187},"Criminal Defense","Murder / Homicide","Homicide charges represent the most serious criminal allegations under New Mexico law. These cases involve complex investigations, high evidentiary standards, and severe potential penalties. From the moment an investigation begins, decisions made by law enforcement and prosecutors can shape the case long before formal charges are filed.","What Happens Next","compact",{"id":189,"type":190,"displayOrder":131,"payload":191},"disclaimer","rich_text",{"eyebrow":19,"title":192,"paragraphs":193,"variant":189},"Important",[194],"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":196,"type":190,"displayOrder":137,"payload":197},"overview",{"eyebrow":198,"title":199,"paragraphs":200},"Overview","Homicide cases involve complex factual, legal, and forensic issues with the highest possible criminal exposure.",[201,202,203,204],"\"Homicide\" is a legal term that refers to the death of one person caused by another. Not all homicides are criminal, and criminal homicide charges range from negligent conduct to intentional killing. The specific charge depends on intent, circumstances, and available evidence, and outcomes often hinge on forensic analysis, witness credibility, and constitutional procedure.","The state alleges that a person caused the death of another and that the circumstances meet the legal definition of a criminal offense. Charges may include murder, manslaughter, or negligent homicide, depending on intent, recklessness, or negligence.","Common fact patterns: allegations arising from confrontations or disputes; claims involving self-defense or defense of others; deaths occurring during alleged felonies; accidents reclassified as criminal conduct; cases built on circumstantial or forensic evidence.","Homicide investigations often begin long before an arrest. Law enforcement may conduct interviews, forensic testing, and searches over extended periods. Once charges are filed, courts frequently impose strict custody conditions, and cases proceed through extensive pretrial litigation.",{"id":206,"type":207,"displayOrder":143,"payload":208},"key-points","feature_grid",{"eyebrow":19,"title":209,"description":19,"numbered":210,"items":211},"Key points",true,[212,215,218,221],{"label":213,"title":214,"description":19},"Legal category","Homicide is a legal category, not a single charge",{"label":216,"title":217,"description":19},"Intent","Charges vary based on intent and circumstances",{"label":219,"title":220,"description":19},"Investigations","Investigations are extensive and often prolonged",{"label":222,"title":223,"description":19},"Penalties","Penalties include lengthy incarceration or life sentences",{"id":225,"type":190,"displayOrder":147,"payload":226},"penalties",{"eyebrow":227,"title":228,"paragraphs":229,"variant":234},"Penalties & Exposure","What the state is seeking",[230,231,232,233],"In homicide cases, the state may seek convictions resulting in decades of incarceration or life imprisonment. Sentencing exposure depends on the degree of the charge, prior history, and aggravating or mitigating factors.","Murder charges can result in life imprisonment. Manslaughter charges carry significant prison exposure. Enhancements may apply depending on circumstances.","Courts may deny release or impose extremely restrictive conditions due to the seriousness of the allegations and public safety considerations.","Homicide allegations or convictions can affect: lifetime liberty and custody status; family and civil liability matters; parole eligibility; permanent criminal record consequences.","alt",{"id":236,"type":190,"displayOrder":237,"payload":238},"defenses",6,{"eyebrow":239,"title":240,"paragraphs":241},"How These Cases Are Defended","Common defense themes",[242,243],"Self-defense or justification; lack of intent; challenges to forensic or medical conclusions; reliability of witness testimony; constitutional violations during investigation.","These cases frequently turn on forensic evidence, expert testimony, and whether the prosecution can prove intent and causation beyond a reasonable doubt. Homicide cases often turn on forensic interpretation and legal standards rather than eyewitness accounts.",{"id":245,"type":245,"displayOrder":246,"payload":247},"faq",7,{"eyebrow":248,"title":249,"description":250,"items":251},"Common Questions","Frequently asked","Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. Every case is different — call for a private consultation.",[252,255,258,261],{"question":253,"answer":254},"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":256,"answer":257},"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":259,"answer":260},"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":262,"answer":263},"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":265,"type":266,"displayOrder":267,"payload":268},"related","promo_cards",8,{"eyebrow":269,"title":19,"cards":270},"Related Practice Areas",[271,275,278,280,282],{"title":272,"body":273,"ctaLabel":274,"ctaUrl":48},"DUI","Drug or combination impairment charges. Dual court and MVD proceedings. Outcomes often hinge on testing procedure.","Learn more",{"title":276,"body":277,"ctaLabel":274,"ctaUrl":48},"DWI","Alcohol impairment with prior convictions. Mandatory minimums escalate with each offense. Early action matters.",{"title":74,"body":279,"ctaLabel":274,"ctaUrl":75},"Possession, distribution, and trafficking. Penalties range widely. Search-and-seizure issues frequently central.",{"title":62,"body":281,"ctaLabel":274,"ctaUrl":63},"State-controlled prosecution. Immediate no-contact orders, firearm restrictions, and custody implications.",{"title":104,"body":283,"ctaLabel":274,"ctaUrl":105},"Technical or substantive violations. Can result in revocation and exposure to original sentence.",{"id":285,"type":286,"displayOrder":287,"payload":288},"cta","cta_band",9,{"eyebrow":289,"title":290,"description":291,"primaryCtaLabel":292,"primaryCtaUrl":22,"secondaryCtaLabel":293,"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":210,"title":295,"assistantName":295,"eyebrow":27,"description":296,"welcomeHeadline":297,"welcomeBody":298,"inputPlaceholder":299,"statusLabel":300,"suggestedPrompts":301,"form":305,"review":316},"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",[302,303,304],"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":210,"triggers":306,"headline":312,"description":313,"submitLabel":314,"successMessage":315},[307,308,309,310,311],"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":210,"triggers":317,"threshold":143,"geoPreference":210,"clickTracking":210,"askHeadline":326,"askDescription":327,"positiveHeadline":328,"positiveDescription":329,"negativeHeadline":330,"negativeDescription":331,"reviewSites":332},[318,319,320,321,322,323,324,325],"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.",[]]