Police officers have to read a person their Miranda rights before questioning a person they’ve taken into custody. These rights protect the person from specific violations of the Fifth Amendment. In order to have the protections that are noted in the Miranda rights,...

When someone is accused of a violent crime that ends in another person’s death, prosecutors often charge them with more than one type of offense and let the jury sort out which is most appropriate given the circumstances. This can be particularly true with...

If you had a relatively minor role in some type of illegal activity, what you know and are willing to share with authorities can help you avoid spending time behind bars. Your knowledge can be a valuable bargaining chip if it’s properly negotiated.  What we’re talking...

If you made a mistake and broke the law, but you’re willing to accept the consequences, you might be able to avoid incarceration by entering an electronic monitoring (EM) program after pleading guilty or being found guilty. This program might also be an alternative to...

If you use marijuana, there was good news earlier this year. In March, the New Mexico Governor signed a bill that makes some marijuana use legal. As with similar efforts across the country, the relaxation of cannabis laws is limited. If you think it applies to you...

Most people in New Mexico know that there are some strict demarcations between state land and tribal land – and the people who live there. This extends to criminal justice.  If a tribal police officer witnesses or suspects criminal behavior by a non-Native person on...

If you are walking along the street, and the police stop you, it can soon get unnerving. In most cases, when they stop you for a reason. They want information about something. There is nothing to prevent the police from stopping to chat. Yet, there are limits to how...

If you're facing drug charges, then you're likely aware of the stiff penalties that the court may impose if a judge or a jury convicts you of such a crime. The nature of the offense, drug type and amount of it involved are all likely to dictate how harsh of a sentence...

Many people in New Mexico and all over the United States have found the relief they seek from pain through the use of kratom. Although kratom has been used for centuries in Southeast Asia where it is an indigenous plant, some states, cities and municipalities have...

Someone lost their life, and you were involved in the situation. Now, you're facing manslaughter charges -- and you're not entirely certain what that means. When you're in serious legal trouble, you can't fully participate in your own defense unless you understand the...