What should I do if I have been arrested?

Stay calm, do not resist, and say one sentence: 'I want to speak to my lawyer.' Then stop talking. Do not explain, deny, or try to clear things up. Anything you say will be used against you.

Do I really need a lawyer for a misdemeanor?

Yes. Misdemeanor convictions create permanent records that affect employment, housing, and immigration status. The cost of an attorney is almost always less than the long-term cost of a conviction.

What is the difference between state and federal charges?

Federal cases are prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys, follow different rules of procedure, and typically carry longer sentences under the federal sentencing guidelines. They require an attorney experienced in federal court.

El Paso Criminal Defense Lawyer

When your freedom is on the line, you need an attorney who treats your case like the most important case in the firm. From misdemeanors to serious federal charges, we defend the rights and futures of clients across Texas and New Mexico.

Your freedom is not
a statistic.

A criminal charge is one of the most isolating experiences a person can face. Friends pull back, jobs are threatened, and the system moves with a momentum that can feel impossible to stop. Carlos Quiñonez built this firm to be the counterweight.

For nearly two decades, we have represented clients across Texas and New Mexico facing the full range of criminal charges, from first-offense misdemeanors to serious federal cases. Every defense begins the same way: by understanding our client as a person, not a case number.

We do not measure success in convictions avoided alone. We measure it in clients who can return to their families, their jobs, and their futures with their dignity intact. The system is built to process people quickly. We are built to slow it down and make it work for you.

We defend clients facing state and federal charges across Texas and New Mexico

DWI Defense

Aggressive defense for first and repeat DWI charges. We challenge stops, breath tests, and field sobriety procedures.

Assault Charges

Misdemeanor and felony assault cases. We investigate self-defense claims and witness credibility.

Family Violence

Domestic and family violence allegations. We protect clients while navigating overlapping criminal and family law issues.

Federal Charges

Federal court demands different rules and different strategy. We handle federal indictments with the gravity they require.

Theft and Burglary

From shoplifting to felony burglary, we challenge intent, identification, and procedural failures.

Serious Felonies

Murder, sexual assault, and other major charges defended with the resources and rigor they demand.

Frequently asked questions

01
02
03