Criminal/DWI Defense and Expungement

When facing serious criminal charges, you need defense lawyers who can think flexibly, act knowledgeably, investigate thoroughly, and know when and how to negotiate. At Aragon Moss George Jenkins, LLP, you’ll find that our attorneys make your case their top priority. We do everything possible to avoid a tarnished criminal record and minimize the consequences while preserving your reputation and credibility throughout your proceedings.

We Preserve and Defend Your Rights

Charged with a Crime?

Criminal convictions can be debilitating. They can affect careers and future job opportunities, the ability to obtain housing, and relationships with family and friends. A conviction for something as seemingly minor as a traffic offense may lead to more than losing your freedom; you can lose your civil rights, your ability to drive, or contact family.

We understand the law and its consequences. We ensure you know the collateral consequences of all of the options before you. Each client’s case is more than a court file number. We understand how each facet of the law — criminal, administrative, and civil — works together in your case and how each will affect you. Then we work hard to obtain an outcome that minimizes or erases those consequences.

AMGJ Law represents clients across a broad spectrum of criminal matters, including petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and felonies

Drug crimes

Assault

Probation violations

White-collar crimes

Other violent crimes or weapons offenses

Theft and property crimes

Domestic violence, including domestic assault, orders for protection and harassment restraining orders

White and Brown Minimalist Law Firm Letterhead (2)_edited.jpg

Meet The Partners

The Partners at AMGJ Law are the last piece of the puzzle in finding a successful solution to your legal needs.

Charged with a DWI or Serious Traffic Offense?

If you or a member of your family is charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol, it is essential that you speak with a DWI attorney immediately to determine the severity of your case. Depending on the level of DWI you are charged with, you could face severe criminal penalties and collateral consequences such as license revocation, vehicle forfeiture, and possibly jail time. At Aragon Moss George Jenkins, LLP, we handle all types of DWI and serious traffic offenses.

We Preserve and Defend Your Rights

Criminal Record Sealing (Expungement)

You already know that having a criminal record can seriously handicap you when applying for jobs, housing, and pursuing countless other goals. However, did you know that New Mexico recently enacted a comprehensive law authorizing expungement (sealing) of most non-conviction and conviction records in all but the most serious violent and sexual crimes? At Aragon Moss George Jenkins, LLP, we're dedicated to helping people in Bernalillo County, and the surrounding areas take advantage of the new law to erase their criminal records, recover their reputations and take affirmative steps toward starting fresh. Effective January 1, 2020, the Criminal Record Expungement Act (CREA) authorizes courts to limit public access to all but a limited category of non-conviction records after a one-year waiting period, as long as no charges are pending against the individual. Courts are also authorized to seal the record of most convictions after conviction-free waiting periods ranging from two to ten years upon a finding that “justice will be served by an order to expunge.” With the passing of CREA, New Mexico now has one of the broadest record-closing laws in the nation.

Which convictions can be expunged?

The court can grant expungement of a criminal conviction if it finds “justice will be served by an order to expunge,” no other charges or proceedings are pending against the petitioner, and victim restitution has been paid. Further, depending on the offense, the petitioner cannot have been convicted of subsequent crimes over two (2) and ten (10) years. The periods are measured from the date a person completed a sentence. For municipal ordinances and most misdemeanor violations, the period in which the petitioner cannot have been convicted of a subsequent crime is two (2) years. For aggravated battery, a misdemeanor, and most fourth-degree felonies, that period is four (4) years. The period is six (6) years for most third-degree felonies, eight (8) years for most second-degree felonies, and ten (10) years for first-degree felonies and domestic violence crimes. The crimes that are not eligible for expungement are all offenses against children, offenses resulting in great bodily harm or death, sex crimes, embezzlement, and driving while intoxicated.

What happens if my case was dismissed?

A person charged with a crime whose case did not result in a conviction is eligible for expungement one (1) year after the case's final disposition. That may mean an acquittal or not guilty finding, dismissal by a prosecutor, referral to an alternative court program, or a conditional discharge. After a hearing, the court must issue an order within thirty (30) days requiring expungement if it finds no other pending charge or proceeding against the petitioner and if the petitioner was released without conviction.

What is the effect of expungement?

When a court grants an expungement for a particular offense, all court and arrest records related to that offense are sealed and no longer publicly accessible. In other words, upon expungement, the proceedings are "treated as if they never occurred" and will no longer be disclosed in background reports for matters such as a job or housing applications.

What should I do to get started?

All you have to do is contact our lawyers to get started. We will review your particular situation with you and advise you about how to proceed. In expungement cases, we handle all the paperwork and interact with the various government agencies on your behalf. We will also attend the court hearing and address any governmental appeals. The bottom line is that you can leave your worries in our hands. We’ll handle it.

Contact Us Today For Help

(505) 522-4878 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation with an attorney. We typically respond to messages within 24 hours. We can also arrange to meet you at your home or another convenient location as necessary.