Stephen D. Aarons has practiced criminal defense in New Mexico since 1985, accumulating over 40 years of experience in a practice that concentrates on serious felony charges in state and federal courts throughout New Mexico.
Introduction
The law practice of Stephen D. Aarons is based at 2019 Galisteo Street, Suite H1, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505. Attorney Aarons has been practicing since 1985, giving him over four decades of criminal defense experience in New Mexico’s courts. The practice handles cases from pre-charge investigations through trial and appeal, covering the full arc of criminal proceedings. Co-counsel Hugh Wyatt Dangler and Ian Aarons work alongside Stephen Aarons on cases.
A 24-hour answering service ensures that the firm can be reached at any time, which reflects the reality of criminal defense: arrests and urgent legal needs arise at all hours. The firm accepts cases by telephone and video conference, and offers free consultations. The firm concentrates its practice on serious state and federal felonies outside the Santa Fe-Espanola-Los Alamos region, focusing on cases elsewhere in New Mexico.
Practice Areas
Violent Crimes
The firm handles the most serious categories of criminal charges. Murder, homicide, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide cases are within the firm’s core scope. Assault and aggravated assault cases are also handled. These cases carry severe consequences including lengthy prison sentences, and they require defense counsel with deep familiarity with both the evidentiary demands of trial and the procedural requirements of serious felony proceedings.
Drug Offenses
Drug possession and drug trafficking cases are handled across the severity spectrum. Drug charges in New Mexico can be prosecuted at the state level, under state controlled substances law, or at the federal level, under federal drug statutes, each with different sentencing structures and procedural rules. The firm handles both.
Sex Crimes
Sex crime cases are among the most complex in criminal defense, involving sensitive evidence, specific procedural requirements, and significant consequences for those convicted. The firm handles sex crime cases at both the state and federal level.
White Collar Crimes
White collar criminal charges involve financial fraud, embezzlement, and similar non-violent offenses that often involve complex document review and financial analysis. The firm handles white collar cases including those brought under federal statutes.
Property Crimes and Related Offenses
Theft, burglary, robbery, and weapons charges are handled within the firm’s criminal defense practice. These cases range from misdemeanor-level to serious felonies depending on the specific circumstances and any aggravating factors.
DUI/DWI and Traffic-Related Criminal Charges
DUI and DWI cases involve both criminal and license-related consequences. The firm represents clients facing driving under the influence charges at the state level, including cases involving vehicular homicide when alcohol or drugs are alleged to have contributed to a fatal accident.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence charges can involve criminal charges for assault, battery, or violation of protective orders. These cases frequently involve relationships between the accused and the alleged victim that add legal and procedural complexity.
Federal Charges
Federal criminal cases are handled separately from state proceedings and involve distinct courts, rules of evidence and procedure, and federal sentencing guidelines. The firm’s focus on serious felonies extends into the federal system, where sentences are often longer and the procedural demands more rigorous.
Juvenile Delinquency
The firm represents juveniles charged in delinquency proceedings. Juvenile cases involve a distinct legal framework focused on rehabilitation alongside accountability, and they require attorneys familiar with the specific procedures of juvenile court.
Post-Conviction and Record Relief
Probation violation cases, expungements, and record sealing proceedings are within the firm’s scope. Expungements allow qualifying individuals to have arrest or conviction records cleared under applicable New Mexico law. Record sealing restricts access to records without fully expunging them. These matters address the long-term consequences of criminal records on employment, housing, and other aspects of life.
Attorney Profiles
Stephen D. Aarons has practiced criminal defense law in New Mexico since 1985. His over 40 years of experience in New Mexico state and federal courts gives him a depth of familiarity with local courts, prosecutors, and the specific application of New Mexico criminal law. His practice handles the full range of criminal proceedings from initial pre-charge investigation through appeals.
Hugh Wyatt Dangler serves as co-counsel on cases handled by the firm.
Ian Aarons serves as co-counsel on cases handled by the firm.
Location & Service Area
The office is located at 2019 Galisteo Street, Suite H1, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505. The firm serves all of New Mexico in both state and federal courts.
Phone: (505) 984-1100
24-hour answering service available.
Firm website: aarons.law/
The firm accepts cases via telephone and video conference. Its focus is on serious state and federal felonies outside the Santa Fe-Espanola-Los Alamos region, meaning it concentrates on matters throughout the rest of New Mexico rather than the immediate local area.
Client Focus
The firm’s clients are individuals facing serious criminal charges in New Mexico, with an emphasis on felony-level cases at both the state and federal level. The geographic scope covers all of New Mexico, with the practice focus on areas outside the Santa Fe-Espanola-Los Alamos corridor. The 24-hour answering service and willingness to accept cases by phone and video conference make the firm accessible to clients across the state regardless of location. Free consultations allow prospective clients to discuss their situation before retaining counsel.
FAQ
What does it mean that the firm focuses on cases outside the Santa Fe-Espanola-Los Alamos region?
The firm’s geographic emphasis within New Mexico is on cases throughout the state outside of that particular corridor. Prospective clients from those areas should contact the firm directly to discuss whether their case falls within the firm’s current scope.
Does the firm handle federal criminal cases?
Yes. The firm represents clients in both New Mexico state courts and federal courts. Federal cases involve different procedural rules, courts, and sentencing frameworks, and the firm’s over 40 years of experience includes federal court practice.
Can the firm take my case if I cannot travel to Santa Fe?
Yes. The firm accepts cases via telephone and video conference, so clients from across New Mexico can consult with and retain the firm without traveling to the Santa Fe office.
What is an expungement and who qualifies?
An expungement is a legal process that results in the clearing of certain arrest or conviction records under applicable New Mexico law. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the time that has elapsed. The firm handles expungement and record sealing proceedings for qualifying individuals.
Does the firm represent clients from the pre-charge stage through appeals?
Yes. The firm handles matters from pre-charge investigations, which occur before formal charges are filed, through trial and into the appeals process if a conviction is obtained. This full-spectrum representation means clients can maintain continuity with the same firm across all stages.
Closing
Four decades of criminal defense practice in New Mexico’s state and federal courts represents a depth of institutional knowledge about local courts, procedures, and legal standards that cannot be replicated quickly. Stephen D. Aarons, together with co-counsel Hugh Wyatt Dangler and Ian Aarons, operates a practice built for the most serious end of the criminal docket: murder, federal drug trafficking, sex crimes, white collar fraud, and the post-conviction proceedings that follow. For New Mexico residents outside the Santa Fe-Espanola-Los Alamos area who face serious felony charges, the firm offers a 24-hour answering service, telephone and video conference intake, and free consultations. Contact: (505) 984-1100.