Facing a criminal conviction can be a devastating experience. However, the legal system offers the possibility of an appeal, a chance to challenge a verdict and potentially achieve a more just outcome. If you’re considering appealing a conviction in New Mexico, a...
New Mexico State Criminal Appeals
Could a judge’s undisclosed bias lead to a New Mexico appeal?
Someone who defends against criminal charges at trial usually expects a fair criminal process. They need a judge and jury to consider their case carefully. It is often only after a thorough and impartial review of evidence that judges and juries reach the appropriate...
Why a stop and search may help a criminal appeal
When there’s the belief that criminal activity is being committed, reasonable suspicion is used by the police to stop and investigate people. For example, an officer who sees someone tucking a bottle of alcohol under their jacket in a store may have reasonable...
Can a false narrative lead to a criminal conviction?
Many criminal convictions balance solely on the word of one person. When this happens, it’s paramount that this person is truthful so that justice is rightly delivered. Unfortunately, many people lie during trials and, as a result, innocent people receive sentences...
When can you withdraw a guilty plea?
It can be difficult to decide how to respond to criminal charges on your own. You must have some confidence in your defense team if you are a defendant. However, there can be issues when handling a criminal case that’s going through the criminal justice system. How...
When appealing a case, stay off of social media
If you are appealing a criminal case, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, you will need to take great care with what you say, write, text and post online until the appeals process has been fully resolved. Just as you were warned when you were arrested, that...
Did perjury lead to your wrongful conviction?
When an innocent person is convicted of a crime they did not commit, it raises questions about how the justice system works. In some cases, perjury - or lying under oath in court - may be to blame for a wrongful conviction. Perjury can have serious consequences in...
3 times a lawyer’s mistake can lead to a criminal appeal
When you face criminal charges, your defense attorney protects you against the allegations that could irrevocably alter the course of your life. They help you decide on the best strategy and present an effective case in criminal court. You have to trust in their...
Can you withdraw a guilty plea in a criminal case?
Deciding how you’re going to handle criminal charges is a complex undertaking. If you’re a defendant, you have to have some measure of trust in your defense team. Many of these cases work through the criminal justice system without any issues, but there are some cases...
When can you appeal a sentence for being too harsh?
Most people go to criminal appeals courts to appeal a conviction for a crime. An appeal can’t be made just because someone didn’t like the verdict. They must be able to show that the trial court made one or more serious errors that negatively affected the outcome of...