Doña Ana County courthouse columns at golden hour in Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces · New Mexico

Defending Your Rights Across New Mexico

Direct, constitutional criminal defense — DUI, criminal, and traffic cases from misdemeanors through First Degree felonies, including Federal Court.

Federal Court Admitted · Investigator on Staff · Free Consultation
The Firm
What sets this practice apart

A solo defender with the resources of a serious firm — built for the cases where outcomes matter most. Direct representation. No handoffs. No assistants reading from a script.

Open U.S. Constitution document on a wooden desk under warm light
01

Constitutional defense

Suppression motions, Fourth Amendment scrutiny, and procedural challenges where the State got it wrong.

Federal courthouse with classical columns and an American flag at golden hour
02

Federal Court admitted

Authorized to appear in every New Mexico court — Magistrate, District, and Federal.

Investigator's desk with magnifying glass over case files and brass lamp
03

Investigator on staff

A trained PI — former homicide and narcotics officer — works the evidence on every serious case.

Bronze statue of Lady Justice holding scales and sword
04

Through 1° felonies

Equipped for the most serious charges the State can bring, not just the easy ones.

Attorney reviewing case files at a wooden desk in a Las Cruces law office
Why Kelly O'Connell

A solo defender with the resources of a serious firm.

You get Kelly directly — every call, every hearing, every motion. No handoffs, no junior associates learning on your case.

All NM
Courts & Federal

Authorized in every New Mexico court, including Federal.

Through First Degree

Equipped for the most serious charges the State can bring.

PI
Investigator on Staff

Former homicide & narcotics officer working your case.

1:1
Direct Representation

You work with Kelly — never an assistant or paralegal.

Open law book with constitutional text under warm desk light
03 / Philosophy
§
A defender's creed
The Constitution doesn't protect you automatically. Someone has to stand up and use it on your behalf. That's the job.
K
Kelly O'Connell
Attorney at Law · Las Cruces, NM
04 / Outcomes

Real cases. Real dismissals.

DUI — Dismissed
Kelly got my DUI dismissed. I never thought it was possible after how bad it looked. She found the issue, filed the motion, and the case was gone.
H
Junior "Hash" Brown
Client · Las Cruces
Ambien / DUI — Dismissed
Kelly understood the medical defense, fought it the right way, and the charges were dismissed.
Whitey Pinkford
Investigator on staff

A former homicide & narcotics officer working the evidence the State hopes you won't look at too closely.