Languages

• Spanish

Law Firm Overview

David C. Serna is New Mexico's only Board Certified Criminal Defense Diplomate and Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy, Boston MA. He is also a Board Certified Trial Specialist in Criminal Law, New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization, National Legal Committee Member of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), and a Life Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

 In Mr. Serna's over thirty-one (31) years of practicing criminal law has garnered numerous awards and distinctions and has represented clients in criminal matters in over eleven (11) States across the nation.

He was selected by "Southwest Super Lawyers" in 2007, and again in 2008, as a "Criminal Defense Super Lawyer", a "White Collar Defense Super Lawyer" and as a "DWI Defense Super Lawyer".

  "Super Lawyers", published by Law & Politics employs a rigorous selection process backed up by considerable polling and peer evaluation including a detailed research process that evaluates each candidate based on twelve (12) indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only the top 5% of lawyers are chosen each year.

Mr. Serna has been named one of the "Top Lawyers Of Albuquerque" by Albuquerque Magazine. The magazine asked a random sampling of other Albuquerque attorneys the following questions: 1) "Which three lawyers in the city of Albuquerque do you feel most uphold the spirit of your profession with their demeanor, skills, methods, and the respect they command?", and 2) "Which individual lawyer in the city of Albuquerque would you most want representing you in a courtroom setting, based on their passion, skills, and desire to win a case?". We are honored that Mr. Serna received multiple votes and was selected by the magazine.

 Much more information concerning the specifics of Mr. Serna's career can be obtained by clicking onto his other websites which are linked to this page.  We are proud to share with you New Mexico's Premier Criminal Law website, www.sernalaw.com, and New Mexico's Premier DWI/DUI Drunk Driving website, www.NewMexDWILaw.com.

The Law Offices of David C. Serna give client's "hand crafted" personalized service. All cases accepted by the office are handled personally by Mr. Serna. A client can feel confident that any questions he or she may have about the case will be answered promptly by Mr. Serna or by his legal assistant. Mr. Serna is an active participant in several national "networks" of criminal law organizations such as the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, National Association of Criminal Defense lawyers, and is a Founding Member of the National College for DUI Defense, Summer Programs at Harvard Law School. It is by maintaining regular intensive communication with these and other criminal law networks that Mr. Serna is able to provide his clients with the "cutting edge" in the constantly unfolding and evolving arena of Criminal Defense.

David C. Serna is fluent in the Spanish language and represents scores of clients who speak no English whatsoever.

The Law Offices of David C. Serna keeps a voice-mail system in place after-hours and on week-ends and holidays in order for clients to be able to communicate with Mr. Serna twenty-four (24) hours a day. When a caller leaves a voice message (in either English or Spanish), Mr. Serna's pager (which is always kept on) is immediately activated and he listens to the message. Mr. Serna keeps his pledge to remain available for emergency consultation after hours.

Please feel welcome to look over the information contained on this site. Then give Mr. Serna a call or send an e-mail to discuss your case, free of charge for initial consultation.

Areas of Practice

• Violent Crimes
• White Collar Crimes
• Drug Forfeiture
• Criminal Defense
• DUI/DWI
• Drug Violations
• Search & Seizure Protections
• Grand Jury Proceedings
• Federal Crimes
• Felonies
• Juvenile Crimes
• Misdemeanor
• Probation & Parole
• Sex Offenses
• RICO Act
• Criminal Fraud
• Traffic Violations

Honors and Awards

• Criminal Defense Super Lawyer, White Collar Defense Super Lawyer, & DWI Defense Super Lawyer, selected by Super Lawyers 2008, June 1, 2008 - Present
• Criminal Defense Super Lawyer, White Collar Defense Super Lawyer, & DWI Defense Super Lawyer, selected by Southwest Super Lawyers 2007, June 1, 2007 - Present
• Top Lawyers Of Albuquerque, selected by Albuquerque Magazine, July 1, 2006 - Present
• Who's Who in American Law, 1990 - Present
• Appointed as Member, Criminal Justice Act Panel Committee by Chief U. S. District Court Judge, 1994 - 2001
• Appointed as Juez Commisionado by Lieutentant Governor, State of New Mexico, 1977 - Present
• Commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Governor, Commonwealth of Kentucky, 1991 - Present

Classes and Seminars

• DWI Defense, NM Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, October 16, 1998
• Advanced DWI Training, NM Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, October 15, 1999
• Srategies in Handling DWI Cases, Lorman Educational Services, June 29, 2001
• Southwest Conference DUI/DWI, NM Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, October 11, 2002 - October 12, 2002

Pro Bono Activities

• New Mexico Equal Access To Justice Campaign, 1995 - Present

Representative Cases

• Salandre v.State of New Mexico, 111 NM 422, 806 P2d 562 (New Mexico Supreme Court 1991)
• State of New Mexico v. Dean Salazar, 123 NM 778, 945 P2d 996 (New Mexico Supreme Court 1997)
• United States of America v. Mario Israel Gastelum-Murguia, 62 F. 3d 1429 (10th Circuit 1995)

West Practice Categories

RICO Act, Grand Jury Proceedings, Prisoners' Rights, Search & Seizure Protections, Criminal Law, Criminal Fraud, DUI/DWI, Drug Violations, Federal, Felonies, Juvenile Crimes, Misdemeanor, Parole & Probation, Sex Offenses, Traffic Violations, Victims' Rights, White Collar Crimes, Deportation, Complex Litigation, State Trial Practice, Assault & Battery -- Defense, Wrongful Death -- Defense, Assault & Battery -- Plaintiff, Wrongful Death -- Plaintiff