Stephen D. Aarons

(505) 984-1100

Stephen D. Aarons

Santa Fe DUI Lawyers Aarons Law Firm

Santa Fe New Mexico DUI Lawyers Aarons Law Firm P.C. - Stephen D. Aarons

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(505) 984-1100

Santa Fe New Mexico DUI Lawyers

Aarons Law Firm P.C.
Stephen D. Aarons
300 Catron Street
Suite #A
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1027

About Stephen D. Aarons

Finding and working with a lawyer can be quite a challenge. If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime, you certainly need a good criminal defense lawyer, and the sooner the better. But how do you find the "right" lawyer?

I have practiced law since 1980, mostly as a criminal defense trial lawyer. So I understand many of your concerns. Every time someone hires me, I hope my experience, ability and hard work will somehow make a difference. In criminal cases especially, no lawyer can guarantee any result. The facts of each case are unlike any other. Put simply, the "right" lawyer is the one who will work hard to achieve the best possible result in your case.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts (BA), George Washington University (1976)
Juris Doctor (JD), St. Louis University School of Law (1979)
Greyfriars Hall, Oxford University (1983-1984)

EMPL0YMENT:
Aarons Law Firm, P.C. (1992 to present): Managing attorney; civil and criminal trials and appeals.
Jones, Snead, Wertheim & Wentworth PA (1989-1992): General practice.
New Mexico Public Defender Department, Clovis NM (1985), Chief, Death Penalty Defense Division (1985-1989): handled over 30 murder and death penalty cases, tried thirteen; countless trials on lesser charges; appellate advocacy in assigned death penalty and murder cases; taught at CLE seminars in trial advocacy.

Lieutenant Colonel, Judge Advocate, US Army Reserves, formerly active duty, VII Corps, Augsburg, Germany; prosecuted over fifty (50) courts-martial (1980-1983); Special Defense Counsel in murder trial in Nurnberg; officially observed German trials of American citizens.

Legal Aid Lawyer, Great Falls, Montana Legal Services (1979): General civil litigation and misdemeanor defense for Native American clients.

Faculty, Judge Advocate General Legal Center and School, University of Virginia, University of Virginia Law School (2000-present); National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) Program, University of New Mexico (1992 - 1999); PowerPoint in Courtroom; UNM (2002-2003); Harvard (NITA 1990), Southern Methodist University (NITA 1991), and California Western (1997-1999)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Bar of United States Supreme Court (1983); Criminal Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocates (1986-1992); Criminal Trial Specialist, New Mexico Bar Specialization Committees (1991-present); Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory of Preeminent Lawyers (1988-present); Who's Who in America; Knights of Columbus.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

• TYPE OF CASES OUR FIRM HANDLES
  I handle many types of cases to bench and jury trials in Santa Fe, New Mexico including DUI, Criminal and Traffic.
• WE THINK YOU SHOULD HIRE US IF:
  You want a lawyer who will personally handle your file and will be available for consultation afternoons, evenings and weekends. I will fairly evaluate your case and determine the most favorable course. I will not hesitate to go to trial on your case; that decision, however, will ultimately be yours.
• OUR FIRM IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOU IF:
  You are looking for a lawyer who will only tell you what you want to hear. I will work with you to honestly assess the facts of the case.
• IF YOU WANT TO TELL OUR LAW FIRM ABOUT YOUR SITUATION YOU SHOULD:
  I personally communicate with you whenever possible. If I am in Court when you call, you can leave a message. I personally guarantee you will hear back from me in 24-hours, or less - most often, much less. My office phone is (505) 984-1100.
• THE TYPICAL COST TO GET US TO START WORKING ON YOUR CASE IS:
  The cost varies depending on the allegation and facts of the case. A fee will be quoted at our initial consultation.
• OUR CLIENTS WILL TELL YOU THAT:
  My level of experience, knowledge of the law in Santa Fe and the state of New Mexico, and personal familiarity with the judges, prosecutors, and system is a great advantage. In addition my personal and regular contact with clients, availability and involvement with every aspect of the case bring the most favorable results.
• OUR PHILOSOPHY ON HOW WE APPROACH OUR CASES IS:
  Depending on the type of case I like to find out as much as I can about the facts of the case and talk to anyone who can help our defense. At that time we can discuss our options. The stronger our defense appears to the prosecutor, the better our chances are of getting a favorable result.
• IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FIRM YOU SHOULD:
  During our free initial consultation I will answer any questions. Please call (505) 984-1100.

DEFINITIONS:
"Per Se" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
As of August 2005, New Mexico has DUI laws that deem "per se intoxicated" any driver with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above .08 percent. This means that drivers with a BAC at or above .08 are intoxicated in the eyes of the law, and no additional proof of driving impairment is necessary in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Note: Persons arrested for DUI in Santa Fe, New Mexico will be subject to additional criminal law penalties not addressed here -- including jail time, fines, and community service. Such criminal penalties are typically more discretionary than those identified in this chart, and are therefore more difficult to accurately predict. Generally speaking, first-time DUI offenders can expect to incur a fine, and face the possibility of jail time. Repeat DUI offenders will incur harsher fines, and will almost certainly be sentenced to a number of days in jail. Penalties will be harsher still if the DUI offender was involved in an accident in which someone else was injured or killed.

DEFINITIONS:
Administrative License Suspension/Revocation
The Administrative License Suspension/Revocation penalties indicated here refer to minimum mandatory penalties imposed on drivers whose BAC is above Santa Fe and the state of New Mexico's limit for intoxication, or drivers who refuse to submit to BAC testing. Administrative suspension or revocation of a driver's license is usually carried out by a state agency (such as a Department of Motor Vehicles), distinct from any criminal court penalties. Most states impose harsher penalties for second or third DUI offenses, typically defined as those that occur within five years of a prior DUI offense.

Mandatory Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment
Alcohol education and treatment/assessment penalties for DUI offenders in Santa Fe, New Mexico can include mandatory attendance at DUI prevention programs, and assessment of potential alcohol dependency problems. Such programs are often made "conditions" of a suspended sentence or probation, meaning that a DUI offender can avoid jail time and payment of hefty fines if he or she completes participation in the program. This chart indicates each state's utilization of alcohol education and treatment/assessment programs.

Vehicle Confiscation
Vehicle confiscation penalties allow a motor vehicle department or law enforcement agency to seize a DUI offender's vehicle, either permanently or for a set period of time. Such penalties typically apply only to repeat DUI offenders, and often the return of the vehicle requires payment of fines and significant administrative costs. This chart indicates each state's utilization of vehicle confiscation as a penalty for DUI.

Ignition Interlock
A vehicle ignition interlock breath-testing device measures a vehicle operator's BAC, and will prevent operation of the vehicle if more than a minimal amount of alcohol is detected (i.e. BAC level of .02). DUI offenders will usually be required to pay the costs of installation, rental, and maintenance of an ignition interlock device. This chart indicates each state's utilization of ignition interlock devices as a penalty for DUI.