News
This archive organizes public-facing material into the approved News taxonomy while keeping the main site routes calm and uncluttered.
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In the News
The first day after an arrest is often the most chaotic. These are the immediate steps families and defendants should focus on before panic creates avoidable mistakes.
Archive focus
These entries are informational only. News is the umbrella archive for press coverage, awards and recognition, and carefully presented client comments.
Relatives and loved ones often become the first support system after an arrest. The most helpful actions are usually practical, quiet, and well documented.
Read articleExpungement can be powerful, but it is not a magic eraser. Understanding its limits helps people decide whether to move forward and what result to expect.
Read articleCriminal cases are not handled in a vacuum. The county, court, and posture of the case often change what the next conversation needs to cover.
Read articleProsecutors filed charges accusing Mr. Baldwin and the film’s armorer of involuntary manslaughter after its cinematographer was fatally shot on set with a gun loaded with a live round. By Julia Jacobs Published Jan. 31, 2023Updated Feb.
Read articleThey filed a motion in the “Rust” case asserting that prosecutors had applied a new version of a firearms statute that did not exist when the fatal shooting occurred. By Graham Bowley and Julia Jacobs Feb. 10, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
Read articleZachary Gutierrez, 20, breaks down in tears Friday in Judge T. Glen Ellington’s courtroom after he was found not guilty in the 2018 shooting death of Richard Milan.
Read articleALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A 2nd Judicial District Court judge denied a motion to put a man tied to a grisly child killing back in jail.
Read articleCourt of Appeals unanimously affirms Judge Brown’s decision to release Fabian Gonzales
Read articleCourt of Appeals unanimous decision
Read articleJuvenile defendant released pending trial in Santa Fe murder case
Read articleNational Expungement Week
Read articleNM Supreme Court abolishes spousal privilege
Read articleSANTA FE — A woman who was acquitted of killing an infant at a Santa Fe motel in March 2017 got credit for time served while awaiting trial for convictions on lesser charges and will no longer be incarcerated.
Read articleThe jury acquitted Rachel Smith in the death of an infant she was babysitting.
Read articleRachel Smith walks out of court after being acquitted of child abuse resulting in death in District Court on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.
Read articleIn 2019, New Mexico enacted a comprehensive law authorizing expungement (sealing) of most non-conviction records, and of conviction records in all but the most serious violent and sexual crimes.
Read articleEditorial Outlines Reasons to Support Expungement Statute
Read articleGov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a series of criminal justice bills into law Wednesday, allowing more New Mexicans to expunge records of past arrests or convictions and banning employers from asking about criminal history on an initial j…
Read article“It would be extremely difficult, if not unethical, for the state to go forward with the trial at this point without setting our minds at ease that we do indeed have the right person in the courtroom”
Read articleA Rio Arriba County jury convicted a former high school teacher of two counts of sexual contact of a minor and five counts of sexual penetration of a minor Thursday following a single-day trial in Tierra Amarilla. Miguel G.
Read articleBill to allow petitions to judges to expunge criminal records clears Senate
Read articleSenate passes expungement bill
Read articleCREA Exoungement Statue passes first Senate Committee
Read articleNew Mexico Expungement Statute Passes State House
Read articleBy Ari Burack | aburack@sfnewmexican.com A 17-year-old Santa Fe boy who prosecutors maintain was involved in the slaying of a Michigan man in September, despite dropping a murder charge against him, has been arrested in a new shooting case…
Read articleGonzales’ attorney Stephen Aarons filed a response asking the court to dismiss the appeal and send the case back to the District Court for trial.
Read articleBy Phaedra Haywood | phaywood@sfnewmexican.com Charles Galvan, 44, and his son, Carlito Quintana Speas, 23, reached plea agreements of no contest Monday to charges related to the rape of a 15-year-old girl at a fiesta party in 2015.
Read articleJudge will not reconsider sentence for woman who killed 2 in DWI crash
Read articleResponse to motion to reconsider sentence
Read articleby ELISE KAPLAN / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER Republican legislators from Rio Rancho are calling for a judge to resign after he sentenced a drunken driver who killed two people to three years in prison.
Read articleDrunk driver spared 30 year sentence for vehicular homicide
Read articleKelley pleads guilty
Read articleJessica Kelley accepts Plea Deal
Read articleCongratulations on Your Acceptance into Who’s Who in the World 2019! We are pleased to inform you that your biography has been accepted into Marquis Who’s Who for the 2019 Edition, which is comprised of the top 3% of the professionals in t…
Read articleAnton Martinez shot once
Read articleWoman accused of Child Abuse Resulting in Death Released from Jail
Read articleSANTA FE, N.M. — The city of Santa Fe today announced that it has put its DWI vehicle forfeiture program on hold. According to a news release, the New Mexico Court of Appeals on Dec.
Read articleDetectives stop searching for fourth suspect
Read articleA judge on Monday sentenced an Ethiopian immigrant to seven years in prison for his role last year in the drug-related kidnapping and pistol whipping
Read articleMurder charges dropped in Airport Road shooting
Read articleby Sami Edge The New Mexican | © The New Mexican | reprinted with permission District Attorney Marco Serna said Tuesday he will dismiss a murder charge against a 17-year-old Santa Fe boy, but the youth remains a suspect in the shooting dea…
Read articleBy Edmund Carrillo / Journal Staff Writer | © Albuquerque Journal 2018 | reprinted with permission SANTA FE — A murder charge is going to be dropped against a Santa Fe teen Tuesday, according to the boy’s defense attorney.
Read articleBy Phaedra Haywood | phaywood@sfnewmexican.com Urban Martinez, father of Cameron Martinez, watches Friday as Mark Hice, one of the suspects in the shooting death of his son, walks into district court.
Read articleBy Elise Kaplan / Journal Staff Writer Updated: Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018 at 9:02pm While the core of the state’s case against Fabian Gonzales rests on his ties to a local street gang and retaliation for threats prosecutors say he made to…
Read articleKai Porter September 27, 2018 05:45 PM ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The trial for one of the suspects charged in the child abuse death of 10-year-old Victoria Martens is now on hold. Fabian Gonzales’ trial was scheduled to start Oct. 15.
Read articleA judge has granted a motion for Fabian Gonzales to hire a bring on a new attorney.
Read articleAlbuquerque NM – Attorney Steve Aarons of Santa Fe hit the ground running in the Victoria Martens case. Entering his appearance on behalf of defendant Fabian Gonzales on Tuesday afternoon, Aarons immediately filed a motion to dismiss the l…
Read articleTierra Amarilla – The criminal charges against Gary Valencia of Taos may have come to an end. He was charged in Taos County with construction fraud and back taxes stemming from a vacation home built in Chama in 2013.
Read articleOriginally published August 10, 2018 at 6:38 pm Updated August 10, 2018 at 10:03 pm By Lewis Kamb lkamb@seattletimes.com @lewiskamb Seattle Times staff reporter Redwolf Pope, 41, was charged Friday in King County Superior Court with two co…
Read articleA Native American activist has disputed accusations that he sexually assaulted unconscious women
Read articleIdeas for criminal justice reform in New Mexico are stewing this summer ahead of next year’s legislative session
Read articleFirst Judicial District Community Based Program Referrals CYFD Approved Batters Intervention Program _ Esperanza Support Center 3130 Rufina St. Santa Fe 505-474-5536 _ Sun Mountain Counseling Services 1911 Fifth St.
Read article“Recognizing Excellence In The Practice of Law” Congratulations for being Nominated to join our organization! cludes The Following ▪ Custom Plaque – Customized 14″ x 11″ genuine cherry wood plaque ▪ Custom Crystal Statue -11″ tall transluc…
Read articleGreetings!, I am currently assigned to review your credentials for admission into the American Law Society & our elite tier of America’s Top Lawyers. Our board has examined relevant elements within the public domain.
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Read articleDA decries light sentence for ex-deputy in molestation case By Justin Horwath | The New Mexican Jan 3, 2018 Updated Jan 4, 2018 (…) Dustin Bingham is pictured in May in District Court.
Read articleTaos NM – Deputy Eighth Judicial District Attorney announced that all charges against Frankie Giron are being dismissed. A three-day jury trial had been scheduled later this month on criminal sexual penetration charges.
Read articleAfter a four day trial in Taos before Judge Emilio J. Chavez, David Lewis was convicted of all four counts of criminal sexual penetration (CSP) of a minor.
Read articleUnited States v. Manuel Pavón-Rodríguez United States District Court – District of New Mexico – Case No. 2:17-cr-01923-JB-2 After a four day trial in Las Cruces Federal Court before Judge Robert Brack, a 12-person jury returned with four “…
Read articleBy Phaedra Haywood | The New Mexican Two men who were held at gunpoint during a robbery of their medical cannabis production plant in 2013 broke down Monday while describing the ordeal during a jury trial of one of the defendants.
Read articleRobbery of Cannabis Facility | Santa Fe New Mexican Article by Phaedra Haywood According to court records, Jose Nava, one of the other men whose names were mentioned in connection with the case faced charges almost identical to Barela’s un…
Read articleMH which runs lawyers dot com has been rating lawyers for 150 years!
Read article[column width=”1/1″ last=”true” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” implicit=”true”] COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO No. 36,225 STATE OF NEW MEXICO, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. CINDERELLA SAAVEDRA, Defendant-Appellant.
Read article[column width=”1/1″ last=”true” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” implicit=”true”] Stephen D Aarons is an attorney in 159 federal cases in the US District Court for the District of New Mexico.
Read articleCriminal Defense Attorney Aarons tumblr blog
Read articleMANUEL VALENCIA, Petitioner, v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Respondent. No. CIV 15-1003 JB/CG No. CR 12-3182 JB UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER ADOPTING THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S PROPOSED…
Read articleAfter severing counts two counts and the court dismissing a third count of criminal sexual contact of a minor, an Albuquerque jury deliberated for 40 minutes before acquitting Harold Potter of Las Vegas, Nevada, of the remaining two counts.
Read article[column width=”1/1″ last=”true” title=”” title_type=”single” animation=”none” implicit=”true”] Defendant sent home after Jury returns verdict in Taos Murder Trial The prosecution did not object to Manual Leyba going home after the jury ret…
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