Do you want to get your Rio Rancho or Sandoval County DWI/DUI charges dropped, reduced, or won at trial?
Getting experienced legal advice from our Rio Rancho DUI Lawyer, Marc A. Grano, will help you understand your options, what you might expect, and how to get your license back.
Grano Law Offices, P.C. takes a forensic, science-based approach when defending DWI charges. Our legal team has over 20 years of advanced training and trial experience, delivering results our clients want and deserve.
Your Free Case Strategy Session with Marc A. Grano
Our team will take the time to understand your situation and provide your legal options at no cost or obligation. Call Grano Law Offices, P.C. now to schedule a Free Case Strategy Session at (505) 426-8711 or message us below.
New Mexico Law Imposes Strict DUI Limits
Rio Rancho and State Police can charge you with the crime of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) if they believe you are operating a motor vehicle in excess of standard limitations under NMSA § 66-8-102.
Table 1: New Mexico BAC Limits and Statutory Citations
| BAC Limit | Standard Limitation | Statute Citation (NMSA) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.08% | Over 21 years old (Standard DWI) | § 66-8-102(C)(1) |
| 0.02% | Under 21 years old (Zero Tolerance) | § 66-8-110(D) |
| 0.04% | Commercial Vehicle (CDL) | § 66-8-102(C)(2) |
| 0.16% | Aggravated DWI/DUI | § 66-8-102(D)(1) |
However, police or prosecutors may have made a mistake in stopping, investigating, arresting, testing, or charging you for DWI/DUI. Allow a Rio Rancho DWI/DUI defense lawyer to help you defend against their accusations. If a legal error occurred, count on Grano Law Offices, P.C. to hold them accountable or question their methods through motions or court arguments.
Call Us for Your Free Case Strategy Session
Our legal team wants to answer your questions about Rio Rancho DWI/DUI charges. Schedule your Free Case Strategy Session now by calling (505) 426-8711. Let us know if you would prefer to meet via secure video chat or at another location.
New Mexico Punishes DWI/DUI Convictions Severely
If prosecutors can get you to plead guilty or convince a jury of your peers to convict you, a judge will have authority over your sentence. State laws give them the discretion to sentence you based on the number of your DUI/DWI convictions.
Here is a quick breakdown of what is on the line:
Table 2: New Mexico DWI Penalties and Sentencing Guidelines
| Offense Level | Penalties & Requirements | Statute Citation (NMSA) |
|---|---|---|
| First DUI | Potential: Up to 90 days jail; up to $500 fine. Mandatory:
| § 66-8-102(E) |
| Second DUI | Potential: Up to 364 days jail; up to $1,000 fine. Mandatory:
| § 66-8-102(F)(1) |
| Third DUI | Potential: Up to 364 days jail; up to $1,000 fine. Mandatory:
| § 66-8-102(F)(2) |
| Fourth DUI | Classification: 4th Degree Felony Mandatory: 6 months imprisonment Maximum: 18 months imprisonment | § 66-8-102(G) |
| Fifth DUI | Classification: 4th Degree Felony Mandatory: 1 year imprisonment Maximum: 2 years imprisonment | § 66-8-102(H) |
| Sixth DUI | Classification: 3rd Degree Felony Mandatory: 18 months imprisonment Maximum: 30 months imprisonment | § 66-8-102(I) |
| Seventh DUI | Classification: 3rd Degree Felony Mandatory: 2 years imprisonment Maximum: 3 years imprisonment | § 66-8-102(J) |
| Eighth DUI+ | Classification: 2nd Degree Felony Mandatory: 10 years incarceration Maximum: 12 years incarceration | § 66-8-102(L) |
| Breath Test Refusal | Administrative: Up to 1-year license suspension. Criminal: Charge increased to "Aggravated DWI" (carries additional mandatory jail time if convicted). | § 66-8-111(B) § 66-8-102(D)(3) |
You could also face additional penalties if your conviction involved an Aggravated DWI/DUI. However, just because a judge has the authority to sentence you after a conviction, it is important to remember that you are still innocent. Hire the Rio Rancho DWI/DUI lawyer at Grano Law Offices, P.C. to help fight for you and your rights and present your side of the story.
Why Hire Grano Law Offices, P.C. to Represent Your Charges
There are many law firms to consider when hiring private defense counsel. It can make a life-changing situation seem even more overwhelming than it already is. Let us make this an easy decision for you and explain why hiring Grano Law Offices, P.C. might make sense for your situation.
We take a thorough approach to every case, from the intake to the final outcome. The methods we use include:
- Demanding that your constitutional rights are protected
- Conducting a thorough review of every piece of evidence
- Conducting a thorough defense investigation
- Building a defense that challenges the prosecutors’ arguments
- Fighting to get your charges dismissed or reduced
- Protecting your civil liberties and legal rights
- Investigating the arresting officer’s actions
- Questioning evidence integrity
The findings from our exhaustive investigation will be used and presented as evidence at the most appropriate, effective moment according to legal procedure. If there is a way to get you out of your DWI/DUI charges, Grano Law Offices, P.C. will work hard to uncover the opportunity, present your options, and execute a strategy based on your decisions.
Get Legal Advice from Our Rio Rancho DWI/DUI Defense Lawyer
You are not responsible for an unproven crime. The DWI/DUI defense lawyer serving Rio Rancho, New Mexico at Grano Law Offices, P.C. will protect your rights if you decide to hire us to protect your case. We will use every available resource to support your case and point out critical errors on behalf of the police, prosecutors, and others involved in your arrest.
Call for your Free Case Strategy Session now at (505) 426-8711 or message us below. We serve all of central and northern New Mexico. At the time of call, let us know if you prefer to meet at another location or through secure video conferencing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What court handles DUI cases in Rio Rancho?
Will I lose my license after a Rio Rancho arrest?
Yes, under the New Mexico Implied Consent Act, your license will be revoked after arrest unless you file a “Request for Hearing” within 10 days. This administrative process is separate from your criminal case under NMSA § 66-8-102.
