Charles McElhinney

I have been an attorney since 2003.  My practice areas include Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Civil Rights, and a general civil practice.  

I am best known for my high profile defense of MMA Fighter Joe Torrez when he was the victim of a violent home invasion on January 1, 2014.  Mr. Torrez came under scrutiny after one of the perpetrators died during the home invasion.  I was successful in preventing the State of New Mexico from charging Mr. Torrez.  This case made international headlines.  I have been involved in many other high profile cases, including the Columbus Gun Smuggling case and the Reese family gun case.  

I have been a member of the Criminal Justice Act panel for the United States District Court of New Mexico since 2010 and have handled over 1,200 cases in federal court.  When one considers the hundreds of cases I have defended in New Mexico state courts, it is hard to find an attorney that has as much experience in this state when it comes to criminal defense.   

I have tried more than 50 cases at that federal, state and local court level and I win most of my trials or at least obtain a better result than what had been offered by the prosecution before trial.  

I represented the Las Cruces Sun News and New Mexico In Depth, two major New Mexico media organizations, to enforce a public records lawsuit involving an audit of New Mexico's mental health care system.

In addition to my criminal defense work, I practice personal injury, representing victims of negligence in car, truck and motorcycle accidents.  I have represented victims of vicious dog bites.  I have represented victims of bad police officers who abused their power and authority.   

When you hire me, your problems become my problems.  Prior to becoming an attorney, I served in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman and I carry the values I learned as a Marine with me today.  That means I do not give up and, most importantly, I do not like to lose.