Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyers Fight Felony Charges in Albuquerque

Dedicated representation to protect your rights and challenge the case against you

Any arrest is a cause for concern but when you are charged with a felony, the stakes are even higher. Felonies are the most serious crimes and receive the greatest attention from law enforcement. Investigators pore over every detail, prosecutors zealously pursue convictions and judges don’t hesitate to hand down rigorous sentences. Under such circumstances, you need skilled and determined legal defense. At Rasheed & Associates, P.C., we’re committed to providing aggressive representation that protects your rights and to developing appropriate strategies for effectively countering felony charges and achieving positive outcomes.

Categories of New Mexico felony crimes

A felony is a crime punishable by a year or more in prison. New Mexico law divides felony crimes into five classes according to severity:

• Capital felony — Under New Mexico law, capital offenses include premeditated murder, felony murder, depraved mind murder and aggravated criminal sexual penetration. Felony murder is charged when someone is killed during the commission of another felony crime. The defendant does not have to directly cause the victim’s death to be charged with a capital felony. It is enough that the events put in motion by the commission of the crime led to the victim’s death.
• First degree felony — Examples of crimes in this category include non-capital murder, criminal sexual penetration of a minor, other serious sexual crimes, kidnapping and robbery with a deadly weapon.
• Second degree felony — Offenses include robbery, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, sexual exploitation of a minor and drug trafficking.
• Third degree felony —Voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, some sexual crimes and aggravated stalking fall into this category.
• Fourth degree felony — Offenses include involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, burglary, property damage over $1,000 and shoplifting of merchandise valued between $500 and $2,500.

Repeat offenders might face higher charges than first-time offenders for the same crime.

Penalties for felony crimes in New Mexico

New Mexico criminal law assigns a maximum prison sentence and optional fine for each degree of felony. The court can sentence a defendant to a prison term between one year and the statutory maximum sentence. State law also assigns a mandatory minimum sentence to some felonies.

• Capital felony — New Mexico assigns a sentence of life in prison or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
• First degree felony — Sentences generally run to 18 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000. There are some exceptions that allow for life in prison and a fine as high as $17,500.
• Second degree felony — Generally, the maximum sentence is nine years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Exceptions allow for a 15-year sentence and a $12,500 fine.
• Third degree felony — For most offenses, the maximum sentence is three years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Exceptions allow for six-year sentences.
• Fourth degree felony — A conviction may draw up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

When facing such serious consequences, it is essential to retain capable and determined criminal defense counsel to fight for you. Our lead attorney Ousama “Sam” Rasheed draws on his extensive experience as an assistant district attorney to develop a defensive strategy designed to achieve the best results possible given the facts of the case.

Contact our Albuquerque law firm for aggressive defense to New Mexico felony charges

Rasheed & Associates, P.C. represents clients facing felony charges in the Albuquerque area. Call us at 505-847-5205 or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation. Our office is conveniently located in downtown Albuquerque at 1024 2nd Street N.W., just off Lomas Boulevard N.W.