Someone was detained in Mexico. Call a lawyer before you do anything else.
I'm a litigation attorney, and criminal defense is part of my practice. I take these calls at night and on weekends, in English.
What to do right now
- Call a lawyer. In a detention, time is everything. In Mexico a detained person can be in front of a judge within a couple of days, and what happens before that hearing shapes the rest of the case.
- Do not pay anyone who says they can help. Someone will call or approach you offering to fix it for a fee: a "contact", a "fixer", sometimes a person claiming to be an official. It is one of the oldest extortion schemes there is.
- Don't count on the embassy to get them out. Your embassy or consulate cannot release anyone. What it will usually give you is a list of local lawyers.
What acting fast looks like
A foreigner landed at Mérida airport carrying live ammunition of a kind restricted to military use, and was detained by federal prosecutors. Three days later we were before the judge. Five days after the arrest, he was free.
Every case is different, and this one doesn't predict yours. What it shows is what the first days are for.
What I do
- Go to where the person is held, find out what they are accused of, and make sure they say nothing without a lawyer present.
- Represent them at the first hearing, which is where release or detention is decided.
- Keep the family informed, in English, so you are not guessing from another country.
- Carry the case forward if it continues.
Where I take these cases
In person, by car: Yucatán, Campeche and Quintana Roo.
With travel expenses covered by the client: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
The cases I take
Among others: fraud accusations, possession of illegal substances, weapons and ammunition offenses, traffic accidents and domestic violence accusations.
I don't take high-impact cases. Defending a traveler who packed ammunition by mistake is not the same as defending organized crime, and I don't do the second. If your case is one I don't handle, I'll tell you on the first call.
The first call in an emergency is free.
Every case is quoted individually. You get the figure before I start.
Frequently asked questions
I'm in another country. Can I hire you for someone detained in Mexico?
Yes. That is how most of these cases start.
Is there a jury?
No. Mexico doesn't have jury trials. A judge decides.
Someone called saying they can get my relative out for a payment. Should I pay?
No. Call a lawyer.
It's the middle of the night.
Call anyway.
I explain it on video
Arrested and don’t speak Spanish?
Arrested in Mexico? The crucial 48 hours
Arrested in Mexico over forgotten ammo
What clients say
“…Our son was detained coming into the Merida airport. When you are locked up in a foreign country, it is a scary situation. Javier worked tirelessly through a holiday weekend to get him released quickly…”
Cynthia Paul · Google review
“10/10 communication regarding all matters. Nothing vague or shady – straight to the point service. If you’re an English speaker like me – definitely talk to Javier for all criminal matters.”
Nik Jain · Google review
Call now: +52 999 225 9318.
Tell me who was detained, where, and when.