Every day across New Mexico, people’s civil rights are violated by those who are supposed to protect them. Whether it’s police officer conducting an illegal traffic stop, law enforcement detaining someone without proper justification, or a government entity trampling on constitutional protections, these violations demand accountability.
When your civil rights are violated, the harm often goes beyond a single incident. It can affect your reputation, your livelihood, and your trust in institutions meant to protect you. In those moments, you deserve a top-notch, local legal team-one that understands the law, respects the seriousness of the issue, and works deliberately toward accountability
505 Legal represents clients across New Mexico in civil rights matters involving government agencies, law enforcement, correctional facilities, and public institutions. We are a modern hometown law firm, rooted in New Mexico and built to pursue accountability through a coordinated legal team-not noise or spectacle.
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Let's Win Together
You deserve more than rushed answers or one overextended attorney trying to manage everything alone.
We close the gap between how a legal firm should operate and how it often does.
505 Legal was designed to:
This structure allows us to serve individuals and families across New Mexico with clarity, professionalism, and accountability.
Many civil rights cases begin quietly.
People attempt to address issues internally, file complaints, or wait for institutions to correct their own mistakes.
When those efforts fail, legal action may be necessary.
In New Mexico, the law gives rights to citizens seeking to expose waste, fraud, and abuse in government.
At 505 Legal, we support your right to hold government accountable through transparency. We help clients obtain the information they need to make informed decisions, advocate for their communities, and hold government accountable.
Cases can include:
Our attorneys have created real change in New Mexico agencies:
Being arrested or detained without proper legal justification is a direct violation of your Fourth Amendment rights.
We represent clients who have experienced:
These cases require immediate investigation and preservation of evidence, including body camera footage, dispatch recordings, and witness statements before they disappear.
The New Mexico Civil Rights Act, passed in 2021, created powerful new tools for holding government entities accountable. Unlike federal civil rights claims, this state law removes qualified immunity as a defense, creating a more level playing field.
We handle NMCRA claims for:
With damage caps of $2 million and provisions for attorney’s fees, the NMCRA offers significants protection for New Mexicans whose rights have been violated.
Our extensive experience in prisoner civil rights includes:
Civil rights Cases Handled Effectively
These cases require careful evaluation, documentation, and legal precision. They are not about headlines-they are about accountability under the law.
Our role is to help you understand whether your rights were violated, what legal remedies may exist, and how to pursue a path forward deliberately and professionally.
Civil rights litigation is complex. It involves constitutional standards, statutory protections, procedural requirements, and often well-defended institutions.
That’s why 505 Legal operates as a coordinated legal team.
Attorneys experienced in civil rights and constitutional law
Paralegals managing filings, deadlines, and records
Investigators reviewing evidence, politicies, and patterns of conduct
Staff coordinating communication and case progression
This structure allows us to investigate thoroughly, respond strategically, and move cases forward without unnecessary delay. Our systems are designed to support serious litigation while maintaining clarity and control throughout the process.
This is how a modern hometown law firm pursues accountability.
Could our approach matter in your case?
Our team represents clients across New Mexico in civil rights matters including:
Each case begins with careful review of the facts and applicable law. We focus on identifying violations, preserving evidence, and determining whether legal action is appropriate.
Every civil rights case seeks accountability.
That accountability may take different forms, including:
Policy changes or corrective action
Monetary damages
Court-ordered relief
Settlement or litigation through trial
Our team works with you to define what resolution means in your situation and builds a legal strategy aligned with that goal. We do not sensationalize cases or promise outcomes. We pursue accountability through preparation, professionalism, and adherence to the law.
What would accountability look like in your situation?
When you reach out to our office:
You explain what happened
Our team evaluates whether legal remedies may apply
If appropriate, we outline next steps and begin investigation
Civil rights cases vary widely in scope and complexity.
We explain processes, timelines, and potential paths forward clearly so you can make informed decisions.
A consultation can help determine whether conduct rises to the level of a legal violation under state or federal law.
Not always. Some matters resolve through negotiation or corrective action. Others require litigation.
Whenever possible, we work to protect client privacy and avoid unnecessary publicity.
Prompt action helps preserve evidence and protect legal options. Waiting can limit available remedies
“What Ken did for us was without question remarkable.”
“We were consistently impressed with the knowledge, thoroughness, and professionalism of the entire team.”
“Working with Shellie was a great experience. She stayed on top of my case, explained every step clearly, and always returned my calls. Her courtroom skills showed, and in the end, I got a better outcome than I expected. I highly recommend her to anyone needing a strong, trustworthy attorney in this area.”
“First of all, a big thank you to Shellie Patscheck and her law firm for helping me get through a very difficult moment in my life. I truly believe I wouldn’t be able to do it all on my own. I thank her for her work on getting me the results I wanted. Just a overall good experience on making things easier & simple for myself. If google review allowed a 10 start rating then it would easily be a 10/10. Thank you Shellie!”
