Law Office of Adam Oakey, LLC
500 4th St NW #405
Phone: (505) 433-4953
Glenn Smith Valdez, New Mexico’s Traffic Ticket Attorney
1650 Camino Del Valle SW
Phone: (505) 877-8787
Amador Law Firm
231 Sierra Dr SE #4
Phone: (505) 550-9534
Grano Law Offices, P.C.
713 6th St
Phone: (505) 426-8711
Lizzy Bunker, Attorney At Law
1100 4th St NW suite a
Phone: (505) 551-3337
Jones Law Firm, LLC
8205 Spain Rd NE #111
Phone: (505) 358-7228
Padilla, Montoya and Associates
817 Gold Ave SW
Phone: (505) 459-3699
Law Office of Barry Klopfer P.C.
920 5th St NW
Phone: (505) 979-8693
Lisa Torraco Law
823 Gold Ave SW
Phone: (505) 244-0530
Law office of Erlinda O. Johnson
620 Roma Ave NW
Phone: (505) 792-4048
New Mexico Criminal Law Offices
900 Lomas Blvd NW
Phone: (505) 200-2982
Candelaria Law LLC
510 Slate Ave NW
Phone: (505) 295-5118
Patscheck Law, P.C.
1690 N Butler Ave
Phone: (505) 421-3329
New Mexico Legal Group, P.C.
2701 Arizona St NE
Phone: (505) 843-7303
Law Office of W. Shane Jennings
3530 Foothills Rd Suite K
Phone: (575) 308-0308
Law Office of Ryan J. Villa LLC
5501 Eagle Rock Ave NE Suite C2
Phone: (505) 445-7097
Stephen D Aarons, Attorney at Law
2019 Galisteo St STE H1
Phone: (505) 984-1100
D. Eric Hannum, Attorney
1025 1/2 Lomas Blvd NW
Phone: (505) 842-6171
The Law Office Of Scott M. Davidson
1011 Lomas Blvd NW Suite 101
Phone: (505) 420-5365
New Mexico uses the Criminal Record Expungement Act to clear many arrests and some convictions after a waiting period. Relief depends on the outcome of each case, the offense type, and completion of all terms ordered by the court. Arrests that ended without conviction are often first in line for clearance, while serious violent crimes and sex offenses are excluded. A focused petition filed in the correct court and served on every listed agency is essential so updates reach state and commercial databases.
How much does it cost to expunge your record in New Mexico?
Filing fees are set by each court and can include costs for certified copies and service. People who cannot afford fees can apply for a fee waiver that requires a financial disclosure. Attorney fees are separate and depend on the number of cases, the locations involved, and the chance of a contested hearing.
What crimes can be expunged in New Mexico?
Many nonviolent offenses and most arrests that did not lead to conviction can be cleared after the required wait. Listed violent crimes and sex offenses are excluded and will not qualify. Each case must be matched to the statute and the final outcome before you file.
How long does an expungement take in New Mexico?
Simple petitions with complete paperwork can move in a few months. A crowded docket, missing documents, or objections from the state can extend the timeline. Clean filings, proper service on every agency, and fast responses to any questions help keep the case on track.
What is the waiting period to clear a conviction in New Mexico?
The statute uses waiting periods that start after completion of the sentence and payment of all financial terms. The exact wait depends on the offense level and the final outcome entered by the court. Plan from the sentence completion date and confirm that fines, fees, and restitution are satisfied before you file.
Do dismissed charges and acquittals qualify for expungement?
Dismissed cases and acquittals are often eligible after a shorter wait than convictions. The court still expects proper service on agencies and a complete record. Make sure there are no related open charges that could block relief.
Can I expunge an arrest that did not lead to charges?
Yes, many arrests that never turned into a filed case can be cleared. You still petition the court, list the agencies that hold the record, and provide proof that the matter ended without a conviction. Once the order is signed, state and local repositories update and private screeners should remove the entry.
Do I need a lawyer for expungement in New Mexico?
You can file on your own, but the rules are technical and errors cause delays. A lawyer organizes dockets, prepares declarations, serves every agency, and appears if a judge sets a hearing. Many clients hire counsel to avoid repeat filings and to push updates across background databases.
Will a cleared case still appear on background checks?
Standard private background checks should drop a cleared case once data sources refresh. Keep certified copies of the order so you can dispute any report that still shows the old entry. Courts, police, and some licensing bodies can still view records for limited legal uses.
What is the difference between expungement and sealing in New Mexico?
The act removes records from public inspection, which functions like sealing for most practical purposes. Records can still exist for criminal justice and other allowed uses. For jobs and housing the result is privacy and a cleaner report.
How do I check if I am eligible for expungement?
Collect your case numbers, judgments, and proof that you finished all terms. Order your state criminal history and compare entries to the statute. A New Mexico expungement lawyer can map offense codes and dates to the rules and confirm a plan.
What forms and documents should I prepare?
Prepare a petition, a proposed order, and a service list that covers every agency that holds the record. Add proof of paid fines, fees, and restitution and any declarations that explain rehabilitation and accuracy. Some courts ask for extra local forms, so check the local website before you file.
What happens after the judge signs the expungement order?
The clerk sends notices and the listed agencies begin to update their files. State repositories and local police records usually update first, then commercial databases follow. You should follow up with major screeners if a report still shows the case after a reasonable time.
Can expungement restore firearm rights or affect immigration status?
Expungement changes what the public can see but it does not automatically restore rights or rewrite federal consequences. Separate state and federal rules control firearms and immigration outcomes. Get targeted advice before you make decisions that depend on those issues.
Can courts or police still view an expunged case?
Yes, access remains for limited uses that the law allows. That includes future prosecutions and specific government background checks. The public and most private screeners cannot view the case once expunged.
How many cases can I expunge?
You can petition for each eligible case as long as it meets the statute. Many people clear arrests first, then move on to convictions after the wait ends. A staged plan avoids conflicts and keeps filings clean.