RIO RANCHO CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
Rio Rancho, Sandoval County, New Mexico. You may feel overwhelmed, even frightened. Felony charges, however, call for action, not feelings. After trying to post bond to get out of jail, if necessary, the next logical step is to hire a criminal defense lawyer. If you are the defendant, or someone trying to help, you need to find an attorney who handles your type of case. If you decide to hire a lawyer from Santa Fe, he should be familiar with the district attorneys and the judges at the Sandoval County District Courthouse. The same thing goes for a legal buddy who does not practice much criminal law. Ask them to recommend someone who does and find out if the lawyer you want to hire has a good reputation in the legal community, but little beyond that. The sooner you find an attorney, the better. Once hired, your defense lawyer may convince the district attorney to drop the charges or at least issue a summons instead of an arrest warrant. For those already in jail, your lawyer can request a release hearing as soon as possible. At that hearing, the lawyer will ask the judge to lower the bond. Bonds range from cash only, ten percent paid to the court, ten percent paid to a bondsman, and release without posting money on your own recognizance (“OR”) or signature only. Under our constitution, a person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and the bond should be based on being a flight risk or a danger to others.
If you have been released, the judge wants you to hire an attorney, especially if the offense carries possible jail time or prison. If you were released after your arraignment, the judge probably told you when you need to return to court. The judge expects you to hire a lawyer before then. Each case is different, of course, and your lawyer helps you navigate through the court system until the criminal case is finally closed. He may argue to dismiss some of the charges, negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecutor, persuade jurors as to the correct verdict, seek the lightest sentence possible, appeal to higher courts, and every possible step in between.
Contact my office if you or someone you know needs a criminal defense lawyer in Rio Rancho. I handle all felony cases there, but not misdemeanors given the travel time from Santa Fe. After hours, our 24-hour answering service will text my cellphone and I will return your call at my earliest opportunity. Like many criminal defense lawyers, I offer a free consultation either by phone or, preferably, in person. We will discuss the facts of your case, your background and my impression of how your case might go. I will tell you how much I would charge if you hired me, and we will discuss how much time you will need to pay in full. As for the outcome, no lawyer can guarantee a result. There are many others involved in your criminal case: judges, prosecutors, alleged victims, and police officers. Each can influence how the case proceeds. Your criminal history has a bearing too. I have been practicing criminal law since 1980, and criminal defense in Santa Fe and Sandoval County since 1985, so I bring decades of experience to our discussion. Experience is not the same as having a crystal ball to tell the future, but perhaps it is the next best thing. I am happy to consult with you and, if you decided to hire me, I would be honored.
The best criminal defense lawyer for your case is the one who will work hard, applying his experience and skills toward the best possible result. Nobody can guarantee a result, but I offer all my efforts to achieve the best result possible in your case. You should expect no less.
