Criminal Defense Attorney

Occupation Description:
To provide professional legal services for the Law Offices of the Public Defender in representing juvenile and adult indigent clients in areas of litigation, appeal, counsel, research and analysis.

Nature of Work:
LOPD represents clients in criminal courts and defends clients when they are accused of committing
criminal offenses. LOPD attorneys represent and afford clients with due process in juvenile,
magistrate, metropolitan, District courts, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of NM in criminal
cases. They meet with clients, file and argue motions, investigate cases, interview witnesses,
proceed to trial and file any necessary appeals. The LOPD strives to holistically represent clients
and address socio-economic issues that affect a clients’ future and reduce recidivism rates. They
research the rules of procedure and rules of evidence. They file motions and summarize cases to
judges and present the facts to juries. They prepare legal briefs and file appeals in state courts
of appeal. They analyze the probably outcomes of cases, using knowledge derived from investigation
and case law to determine whether a client should enter into a plea or go to trial. The appellate
division listens to the record and determines if errors have been made by
the lower courts based on their knowledge of the law.