Rod Frechette was featured in the American Bar Journal Article New Test for DUI Defense in 2005. He has handled more than 6,000 DWI cases since 1988. His court of appeals victory in the case of State vs. Lasworth successfully held the line on HGN inadmissibility and challenged the validity of field sobriety testing. He is a court recognized DWI expert in the cases of U.S. v. Roybal and State v. Underwood. He has testified in NM legislative hearings and lectures on the topic of DWI.

Admitted:

• New Mexico and U.S. District Court
• District of New Mexico, 1988.

Certification/Coursework:

• NHTSA DWI Detection, Standardized Field Sobriety Tests
• RBT4/AS4 Breath Machine Key Operator and Instructor
• Intoxilyzer 5000 Maintenance Technician/Key Operator
• Expert certification for BAC testing in Highway Safety Programs
• Professional Associations and Memberships:
• New Mexico & American Bar Association
• N.M. & National Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Criminal Defense Section of the N.M. Bar
• Founding Member National College for DUI Defense

DWI Courses:

• Moderator/Speaker for American Bar Association DWI tele-conference 2005
• Nat’l Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mastering Scientific Evidence, 2005, 2003, 1999, 1997, 1996
• National College DUI Defense 2005, 2003, 2002, 1997
• Organizer/Speaker NM DWI legal education courses 2002, 2001, 1999
• National College DUI Defense at Harvard Law School 1998, 1997, 1996
• Guest Speaker New Mexico Continuing Legal Education 2001, 2000, 1998, 1996

Reported Cases:

• State of N.M. v. James Lasworth, 2002-NMCA-029;
• Schwartz ex rel. Kennedy, 120NM619, 904P2d1044 (1995).

Employment:

• Attorney, Frechette & Associates, 1991-present
• Municipal Judge Alternate, Corrales Municipal Court, 1994-2002
• Special Narcotics Prosecutor, 7th Judicial District, 1991-1992
• N.M. DWI License Revocation Hearing Officer, 1991
• Attorney, New Mexico Public Defender Metro Division, 1988-1991

Education:

• Vermont Law School, J.D., 1988
• St. John’s College, M.A., 1985
• University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 1983

Michelle Frechette is a dedicated criminal defense attorney with an emphasis in the area of DWI Defense. She enjoys a higher than average success within the area of administrative license revocation hearings. Her focus on addressing client needs has given her a strong base for new referral business within the firm. She is the primary attorney handling all juvenile work within the firm because she enjoys working with youth. Mrs. Frechette established Frechette & Associates’ administration and staff training which serves clients efficiently. She cares for the Frechette’s four children while maintaining her caseload within the law practice and is a community leader in her hometown.

Admitted:

• New Mexico 1990
• U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico 1990

Certification/Coursework:

• NHTSA DWI Detection, Standardized Field Sobriety Tests
• Nat’l Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mastering Scientific Evidence
• National College DUI Defense
• Organizer/Speaker NM DWI legal education courses

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• New Mexico Bar Association
• N.M. Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Criminal Defense Section of the N.M. Bar
• Member National College for DUI Defense

Employment:

• Attorney, Frechette & Associates 1993-present
• Attorney, Village of Corrales Special Prosecutor 1993-1996
• Assistant City Attorney, City of Rio Rancho 1991-1992
• Attorney, City of Albuquerque 1990

Education:

• Vermont Law School, J.D. 1989
• St. Lawrence University, B.A. 1986