Case Wins

Selected Trial Court Cases

Over the past 29 years Mr. Hannum has successfully litigated hundreds of DWI and Domestic Violence cases in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, as well as numerous serious felony cases in state and federal courts. Below are a few examples of his successes in the various types of cases and venues.

  • State v. L.S., (Valencia County District Court), felony guilty plea withdrawn based on ineffective assistance of previous counsel. Felony conviction vacated, May, 2022.
  • State v. B.P., (Taos County District Court), guilty plea to felony drug charges withdrawn because of previous counsel's failure to provide adequate advice of immigration consequences. Felony conviction vacated, and client allowed to stay in U.S. with his family, May, 2021.
  • State v. J.S., (Bernalillo County District Court), Client found not guilty of Child Solicitation by Electronic Device and Attempt to Commit Human Trafficking, July, 2018.
  • United States v. Z.H., (Federal District Court), client facing potential mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years found not guilty of drug trafficking, September, 2017.
  • State v. A.H., (Bernalillo County District Court), after 5 years of intensive litigation, client, who had acted in self-defense, found not guilty of Murder, August, 2017.
  • State v. M.G., (Bernalillo County District Court), drugs and guns seized during illegal police search suppressed based on defense motion, November, 2014.
  • State v. S.P., (Bernalillo County District Court), drugs seized during illegal police search suppressed based on defense motion, April, 2012.
  • State v. J.S., (Bernalillo County District Court), client found not guilty of first degree Trafficking of a Controlled Substance based on faulty police investigation, January, 2010.
  • State v. C.S., (Bernalillo County District Court), client found not guilty of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor, after witness’s testimony shown to be false, December, 2010.
  • State v. B.B., (Bernalillo County District Court), case against client charged with Attempted Murder and numerous other felonies dismissed during trial after Mr. Hannum’s cross-examination of State’s main witness revealed that he had lied in previous accounts, and was lying at trial, March, 2009.
  • United States v. L.S., (Federal District Court), client found not guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute over 500 kilograms of marijuana, May, 2006.
  • United States v. X.W., (Federal District Court), client facing over 20 years in federal prison found not guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute 17 pounds of pure methamphetamine after testimony of co-defendant blaming client shown to be not credible, January, 2006.
  • State v. S.S., (Bernalillo County District Court), client, who had been previously convicted of First Degree Murder and sentenced to life in prison, was granted a new trial, and with Mr. Hannum as new counsel, was found not guilty after alleged confession shown to be product of improper police conduct.

Selected Appellate Cases

When it becomes necessary to take the legal battle to the next level in pursuit of justice, unlike most accomplished trial lawyers, Mr. Hannum is also well-versed in handling appeals. He has been active in shaping New Mexico law through appellate litigation. The cases below have set important precedents to protect the rights of all New Mexicans.

  • Ramirez v. State, 2014-NMSC-023 (non-citizen’s right to be informed of immigration consequences of guilty plea is retroactive to 1990).
  • Herrera v. Sanchez, 2014-NMSC-018 (dismissing murder indictment because of prosecutorial misconduct at grand jury).
  • Montoya v. Ulibarri, 2007-NMSC-035 (holding that N.M. Constitution provides greater protection against cruel and unusual punishment than is found under Eighth Amendment to U.S. Constitution).
  • State v. Ryon, 2005-NMSC-005 (suppressing evidence and establishing new test for “community caretaker” right of police to enter home).
  • State v. Nunez, 2000-NMSC-013 (holding that N.M. Constitution provides greater protection against double jeopardy than is found under Fifth Amendment to U.S. Constitution).
  • State v. Torres, 1999-NMSC-010 (holding that horizontal gaze nystagmus field sobriety test is scientific evidence, and inadmissible unless State can establish scientific reliability of test).