SANTA FE CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
City and County of Santa Fe, New Mexico. You may feel overwhelmed, even frightened. Criminal charges, however, call for action, not feelings. After trying to post bond to get out of jail, if necessary, the next logical step is hiring a criminal defense lawyer. As the defendant, or someone trying to help, you need to find an attorney from Santa Fe who handles your type of case. Don’t hire an attorney from Albuquerque or a lawyer friend who does not practice criminal defense. They may be able to recommend someone who does or find out if the local lawyer you want to hire has a good reputation. The sooner you find an attorney, the better. Once hired, your defense lawyer may convince the prosecutor 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 if the case involves possible time in jail or prison. If you went to your arraignment, often a video arraignment, and then were released, 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 Santa Fe criminal defense lawyer. 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 throughout New Mexico 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 lawyer for your case is the one who will work hard, applying his experience and skills on your behalf. Nobody can guarantee a result, but I do offer all my efforts to achieve the best result possible. You should expect no less.
Judge Steve Herrera Judicial Complex
225 Montezuma Avenue
Post Office Box 2268
Santa Fe NM 87504-2268(505) 455-8250
Division I Hon Francis J. Matthew (505) 455-8155
Division II Hon. Sarah M. Singleton (505) 455-8160
Division III Hon Raymond Z. Ortiz, Chief 455-8165
Division IV Hon. Sylvia F. LaMar 455-8150
Division VI Hon. David K. Thomson (505) 455-8215
Division VII Hon. T. Glenn Ellington (505) 455-8180
Division VIII Hon. Mary L. Marlowe Sommer 455-8170
Division IX Hon. Matthew J. Wilson (505) 455-8175
2056 Galisteo St.
PO Box 5138
Santa Fe NM 87505
(505) 984-9914
Division I Hon. David Segura
Division II Hon. George Anaya
Division III Hon Pino
Division IV Hon. Bevacqua Young
City of Santa Fe Municipal Court
2511 Camino Entrada
Santa Fe, NM 87507Ph: (505) 955-5070 – main line
Ph: (505) 955-5111 – Arlene
Fx: (505) 955-5159
HOURS8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday
Payment Window
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday
Santa Fe County Adult Correctional Facility
Camino Justicia
Santa Fe New Mexico
