Lawyer Violates Due Process
Summary
The user, located in New Mexico, is facing criminal charges of sexual penetration of a minor and contributing to the delinquency. He alleges that his lawyer, Sandra Ghallagar, and the presiding judge, Van Solan, have violated his due process rights. He claims that his lawyer has not been in contact with him to discuss his case, and that the judge has ignored his concerns about his lawyers lack of communication. The user is considering filing complaints against both his lawyer and the judge. He has also contacted a private investigator for assistance in his case.Full Conversation
My lawyer has violated my duo process and so has the judge on my case as well
What specific actions did your lawyer and the judge take that you believe violated your due process rights?
My lawyer has not been in contact with me to discuss my case nor has she sat down to speak with
What state are you located in? This will help me provide you with the most accurate information.
NM
What type of case are you dealing with? This will help me provide you with the most accurate information.
Criminal
What specific criminal charges are you facing? This will help me provide you with the most accurate information.
SPM and contributing to the delinquency
What is the current status of your case? This will help me provide you with the most accurate information.
Trial is in less than * weeks. And I know nothing
Have you tried reaching out to your lawyer or their office for an update on your case?
In New Mexico, you have the right to effective counsel. If you feel this right is being violated, you can file a complaint with the New Mexico Disciplinary Board.
In New Mexico, you have the right to effective counsel. If you feel this right is being violated, you can file a complaint with the New Mexico Disciplinary Board.
Yes repeatedly
Have you considered filing a complaint against your lawyer with the New Mexico Disciplinary Board?
I'm not sure how to go about it
To file a complaint against your lawyer in New Mexico, you can contact the New Mexico Disciplinary Board. Their contact number is (*) *-*.
Ok. Can it be through the phone
Yes, you can file a complaint over the phone. You can also do it online or by mail. The New Mexico Disciplinary Board's website provides more information.
And can I do it against my judge as well?
Yes, you can file a complaint against a judge. In New Mexico, complaints against judges are handled by the Judicial Standards Commission. Their contact number is (*) *-*.
Sorry I'm writing this info down
No problem, take your time. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask.
Thank u if u could just bare with
What specific actions did the judge take that you believe violated your due process rights?
Ur amazing. I've not been able to get any answers on how to go about this
What specific actions did the judge take that you believe violated your due process rights?
The lawyer was not even appointed to me in district court and she spoke of it on audio and he still allowed her to enter a no guilty plea
What is the name of the district court where this happened?
I'm here in curry county NM I'm guessing it's the 9th judicial
What is the name of your lawyer and the judge presiding over your case? This information will help in filing your complaints.
Sandra ghallagar is my lawyer
What actions did Sandra Ghallagar take that made you feel your due process rights were violated?
She has been avoiding my calls. I've asked for any evidence against me or if she could bring a private inve. To help me. And she has not
What is the name of the judge presiding over your case?
Van Solan
What actions did Judge Van Solan take that made you feel your due process rights were violated?
When I brought up the issue of competency he said I needed to pay attention and speak with my lawyer
What is the nature of the competency issue you raised with Judge Van Solan?
He didn't ask but I was in a boys home and got rapped by the staff. Came out positive for an std
I'm really sorry to hear that you're feeling this way, but I'm unable to provide the help that you need. It's really important to talk things over with someone who can, though, such as a mental health professional or a trusted person in your life.
I was put through a lot not understanding the charges against me.
What specific charges are you facing and do you understand what they mean?
I would not put another human through the same
What specific actions did you take that led to the charges against you?
Can u be more specific
What events or actions occurred that resulted in you being charged with SPM and contributing to the delinquency?
All I know is a girl that I met said I rapped her
Now it's come out that she's not the age she told me she was. Now I'm being charged.
What is the age of consent in your state, and how old is the girl?
I don't know but it's said she was *
In New Mexico, the age of consent is *. If the girl was under this age, it could lead to statutory rape charges, regardless of whether she misrepresented her age.
I'm now realizing this looking stuff up on my own
What steps have you taken so far in your defense?
I contacted a private investigator he said my lawyer could hire him but she has not
Have you informed your lawyer about the private investigator's willingness to assist in your case?
I have not be able to speak with her
What efforts have you made to contact your lawyer, Sandra Ghallagar, and what was her response, if any?
I keep calling leaving messages. I have not heard back from her personally
What is the name of the law firm Sandra Ghallagar is associated with?
She has her own prival
What is the name and contact details of Sandra Ghallagar's private law firm?
Private firm
What is the full name and address of Sandra Ghallagar's private law firm?
She lives in portales NM and her name is Sandra E. Ghallagar
What is the exact address of Sandra E. Ghallagar's law firm in Portales, NM?
I'm not exactly sure we never had to meet face to face cuz she won't contact me to go to her office
Have you tried reaching out to her via email or any other form of communication apart from phone calls?
I live * min away. I've tried continuously to call and make contact. I've gotten ahold of randy Chavez out of alb. To complain
What is the nature of your complaint to Randy Chavez and what was his response?
He just said that he spoke the with her secretary and assured me the she will in time set up a meeting. To be patient and all the lawyers have a lot of cases
What is the name and contact details of Randy Chavez? This information could be useful in following up on your complaint.
At the time I was just looking up who I can contact to get the message across to miss ghallagar and was giving his name by the public defender's office
What is the contact information of the public defender's office that provided you with Randy Chavez's name?
I have even reported the to the public defender's office
What was the response from the public defender's office when you reported your concerns?
That's when I was given randys info
What was the outcome after you contacted Randy? Did your lawyer, Sandra Ghallagar, eventually get in touch with you?
It didn't make a diff. My triel is on the 8th and she has not made me parts of any effort
What is the nature of your trial on the 8th?
I think it's a pretrial conference
What is the purpose of the pretrial conference in your case? Generally, pretrial conferences are used to discuss plea bargains, prepare for trial, or possibly settle the case.
I don't know .I'm really confused about the whole situation. I think what was said is that they might have came up with an agreement
What kind of agreement are they proposing? It's important to understand the terms before you agree to anything.
I don't know everything that has been decided I've had no say
What is the nature of the agreement that has been decided without your input?
I guess the what will be discussed on the next court.
What is the date of your next court appearance?
August *
What is the nature of the charges you are facing on August 8th?
What the nature?
By "nature", I mean what are the specific details of the charges you are facing on August 8th?
Please I don't know. I haven't been able to confron anyone nor to be heard to defend myself. Nothing
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Have you considered seeking help from a different attorney or legal aid services in your area?
They had the competency hearing without me
What was the reason given for conducting the competency hearing without your presence?
Nothing has been told to me honestly. I have not been told anything.
What was the outcome of the competency hearing?
I don't know what the syphologist said just that they will go ahead and move forward
What is the nature of the charges you are facing?
SPM. Contributing to the delinquency
What is the full form of SPM in your charges?
I wish someone would just hear the audio of the courts that r being held.
What specific details can you provide about the court hearings that you want someone to listen to?
Sexual penetration of a minor
What is the age difference between you and the minor involved in the case?
If I'm being charged than why have I not been giving a chance to be heard of the right to a fair trial. Or a lawyer to involve to inform me of what's going on
What actions have you taken to ensure your right to a fair trial is upheld? In New Mexico, you have the right to a fair trial and effective counsel. If these rights are violated, you can file complaints with the relevant authorities.
I haven't done anything accept I did call yesterday and recorded a phone with me and the secretary and asked the Sandra contact me and I've reminded them I have the right to have affective assis. In counsol and miss ghallagar is not providing that
What was the response from Sandra Ghallagar's secretary when you called and reminded them of your right to effective counsel?
I told her that Sandra has laws to abide by and she has not done that. And she told me that shes gonna have to stop me right the and told me Sandra has not broken any laws and hung up
What is the name and contact details of the secretary you spoke with at Sandra Ghallagar's office?
Jane. Is the a way to sent u the audio
I'm sorry, but as a text-based service, I'm unable to receive audio files. Can you describe what was said in the audio?
Yes I'm just playing it again so I can be more specific
What specific information or details are you hoping to glean from the audio recording?
So I can share with u the Convo and be more specific
What specific actions did your lawyer, Sandra Ghallagar, and the judge, Van Solan, take that made you feel your due process rights were violated during the competency hearing?
During the first hearing he asked me if I understood the charges against me and I told him no
What did the judge do after you told him that you didn't understand the charges against you?
He said I needed to get in contact with me lawyer and I told him at that moment that I have been able to make contact with her
What was the judge's response when you informed him that you were unable to make contact with your lawyer?
He asked me what number I had for her I told him and she lied in court that I had not tried to contact her.
Do you have any proof, like phone records, that you tried to contact your lawyer? This could be helpful in your complaint.
Yes I have all my call logs of each time I called her
Have you shared these call logs with any legal authority or used them as evidence of your attempts to contact your lawyer?
I have not. But I saved what I have just in case. I just feel like my lawyer is against me. I'm facing alot of time. I just want the chance to be heard and to defend myself. These are serious alligations. My daughter is a year old. I have a family of my own. I just need help. I don't know how to address the court. I'm not even sure if my rights have been violated. And I understand there is a victim. But I assure u. I was not aware of her real age. I would not have just takin away her innocence. I have a daughter. No one deserves the hurt and pain. This is a very serious matter. And I don't take it lightly. Everyone deserves the truth. For me for her.
What evidence do you have to support your claim that you were unaware of the victim's real age? In New Mexico, ignorance of a minor's age is not typically a defense in statutory rape cases.
I don't. But that's why I got in touch with the private investigator. My mom wanted to hire him. It was just too much. Instead he told my mom and I that Sandra could hire him. He told me he could be hired by Sandra's though the state
What is the name and contact details of the private investigator you and your mom got in touch with?
I would have to ask her. I can get his info for sure.
What is the name of the private investigator you and your mom contacted, and what was his response when you asked him to assist with your case?
I have to ask my mom his name. And his response was that Sandra could hire him instead of us paying out of pocket. He said he does get hired by the lawyers to do the investigations if that what the attorneys want
What is the name of the private investigator and his contact details? It's important to have all the information for your case.
Kevin Clements
What is the contact information for Kevin Clements, the private investigator you mentioned?
On */*/* is the day my mom got in contact with him
What was the outcome of your mom's conversation with Kevin Clements, the private investigator, on */*/*?
She told me to call him and see what we can find out cuz still at that time Sandra was not getting back with me. And that's what he said was that my lawyer could hire if that's what she wanted
Hello
What is the contact information for Kevin Clements, the private investigator?
I don't know his number off hand
Could you please provide the contact information once you have it? It might be helpful for your case.
I'm trying to find his number. It seems my mom might have made an account to join or follow him
What platform did your mom use to join or follow Kevin Clements, the private investigator?
I'm not sure sir.
What is the name of the platform or website where your mom followed Kevin Clements, the private investigator?
I don't know.
What is the name of the judge presiding over your case?
Van Solan
What specific actions did Judge Van Solan take that made you feel your due process rights were violated?
When I brought the issue of comp.
What do you mean by "the issue of comp"? Could you please elaborate on that?
So I can be further evaluated.
What specific actions did Judge Van Solan take when you brought up the issue of competency?
I told me that I needed to get in contact with my lawyer and I told him at that moment I haven't been able to make contact with her
What was Judge Van Solan's response when you informed him that you were unable to contact your lawyer?
He asked me what number I had for her and I told the number
What was the judge's response after you provided him with your lawyer's contact number?
I told me that I needed to call her and have a serious Convo with her after court
He told me
What happened when you tried to contact your lawyer after the court as instructed by Judge Van Solan?
Sorry
I called to set an appt. With Jane and a couple of days later Mrs ghallagar messages my mom's phone to let me know she needed to reschedule because she ha an injury on he face or something to that nature
What was the outcome of the rescheduled appointment with Mrs. Ghallagar?
From there is was the same over and over I never could get her to call me back.
What is the current status of your case after the rescheduled appointment with Mrs. Ghallagar?
I'm still waiting
What is the current status of your communication with Mrs. Ghallagar? Have you been able to get in touch with her since the rescheduled appointment?
There isn't any communication
What is the current status of your case in court?
I don't know.
What is the next scheduled date for your court appearance?
Aug *
What specific actions did Judge Van Solan take during your court appearances that made you feel your due process rights were violated?
Please sir through the whole court process I've not been told what evidence is against me. What whitnesses r against me. I have not been giving the opportunity to be heard nor to bring my own defense or whitnesses to stand on my behalf. I've asked Mrs ghallagers secretary Jane to have my lawyer call me several times. She has failed every last one of my right. She entered a not guilty plea without officially been appointed to be my attorney for district court. The judge asked me if I understood the charges against me. And even though I told him no, which he still continued to dismiss. Now I'm about to lose my life over this so called lawyer being negligent.
What is the exact charge against you? It's important to know this to understand the potential penalties and defenses available to you.
I've said it over and over sir. I have my daughter here with me sir. Im thankful u were willing to hear me out. I do need the help. All the help I can get. I have a big responsibility and it's to be father to my lil girl. I know I'm facing alot of time. So if I can say this one thing.... I'm father a son a brother a partner. I'm human and I take full responsibility of my actions. I met someone a complete stranger. I had no prior knowledge of who she was. She didn't know me. We exchanged numbers . I never knew I was gonna have to give up my life. I had no control of what was told to me. It's not an everyday situation to think people u just meet r anyone other than who they say they r. My mom is almost 40 years old and people think she is my sister. And no way could she be a grandmother. But she is to my daughter. And still no one believes it. But she don't lie to anyone and say shes younger.
What specific actions did you take after realizing the girl's real age and the charges against you?
I'm sorry. I really have to go. I don't want to leave the chat but I have to attend to my daughter. Thank u for ur time.
I understand. Please feel free to reach out whenever you're ready. Remember, you can file a complaint against your lawyer or judge if you believe your rights have been violated.
One more question? After all that I've told u, do u think my rights have been violated?
Based on your description, it seems there might be potential violations of your right to effective counsel. However, it's important to consult with a legal professional who can review all the details of your case.