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John W. Day is a seasoned attorney who understands the benefits to his clients of big firm experience and professionalism along with cost-effective methods and personal attention.

John provides an exceptional level of devotion and loyalty to his clients, and his focused office is able to maintain a strong commitment to his principles: effective and affordable representation; precise, efficient service; and clear client communication.

Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, John W. Day serves the entire state with a concentration on northern New Mexico. John represents clients in Los Alamos, Taos, Raton, as well as Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.

He practices in the areas of criminal defense (including white collar defense, all felonies and misdemeanors, and national security clearance matters),  civil litigation (including serious injury and wrongful death cases),  and government misconduct/civil rights cases.

John was educated at Harvard University and the University of New Mexico. Prior to John Day Law, John was a partner in one of Santa Fe’s oldest and largest law firms and has developed a reputation for being a compassionate, dedicated, vigilant attorney who prepares compelling and powerful legal defenses.

News and Media

John provides ongoing commentary and expert analysis of current events as they unfold.

Jump to News
NewsVideo
August 16, 2025

LiveNOW from FOX | Trump admin agrees to keep DC police chief in place

The Trump administration has reversed an order replacing the District of Columbia's police chief following an emergency court hearing. Criminal defense attorney John Day joins LiveNOW's Josh Breslow to break…
NewsVideo
August 14, 2025

Surviving The Survivor | How will Donna Adelson’s Defense Change After Charlie Claimed It Was Double Extortion

Donna Adelson is days away from trial but will use the same defense that put her son behind bars or will she have to come up with her own story?
NewsVideo
August 8, 2025

Court TV | Criminal defense attorney John W. Day on dismembered wife murder trial

New Mexico criminal defense attorney John W. Day joins Court TV anchor Ted Rowlands to break down the trial of a Georgia man accused of murdering and dismembering his wife.…
NewsVideo
August 7, 2025

Crime Fix | 5 Shocking New Details in Washington Teen’s Family Murder Case

John Day joins Law&Crime's Angenette Levy in analyzing the new information in this case of a teenager from Washington state identified only as A.H. is trying to keep his case…
NewsVideo
August 4, 2025

Court TV | Criminal defense attorney John Day analyzes the “Returned Mail Murder Trial”

New Mexico criminal defense attorney John W. Day joins Julie Grant on Court TV anchor Ted Rowlands to break down the trial of a Montana man accused of murdering his neighbor,…
NewsVideo
July 31, 2025

Court TV | Criminal defense attorney John Day on a Montana man accused of murdering his neighbor

New Mexico criminal defense attorney John W. Day joins Julie Grant on Court TV to break down all the details of the trial for a Montana man accused of murdering…
NewsVideo
July 30, 2025

LiveNOW from FOX | John W. Day on Ghislaine Maxwell’s Supreme Court appeal and offer to testify

Attorney John Day joins LiveNOW's Andrew Craft to answer some legal questions as Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell has offered to testify before Congress but with major conditions, including immunity.
NewsVideo
July 27, 2025

LiveNOW from FOX | Man accused of trying to kill Trump will represent self

Ryan Routh, the man accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump in South Florida last year has been granted his request to represent himself during his trial which is…
NewsVideo
July 25, 2025

Class-Action Lawsuit filed to prohibit ‘ICE’ courthouse arrests

The lawsuit seeks to stop that and declares it unconstitutional. It asks that ICE agents not be allowed to arrest people who are showing up for their court dates.
NewsVideo
July 25, 2025

LiveNOW from FOX | Criminal defense attorney John W. Day on Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein case

Justice Department officials met Thursday with Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, at the Florida prison where she’s serving a 20-year sentence. This included Deputy…
NewsVideo
July 22, 2025

Court TV | John Day on parents charged with attempted murder of their daughter, video evidence

New Mexico criminal defense attorney John W. Day joins Court TV to discuss testimony and video evidence in the Washington trial for parents charged with attempted murder of their daughter.
NewsVideo
July 21, 2025

Court TV | John Day on WA couple accused of trying to murder their daughter & the Madeline Soto case

New Mexico criminal defense attorney John W. Day joins Court TV to discuss the trial for a Washington couple accused of trying to murder their daughter and to analyze the…
Practice Areas

Criminal Defense

John W. Day represents clients facing criminal charges in courts throughout New Mexico. He handles cases involving white collar crime, homicide and other violent crime, vehicular homicide, domestic violence claims, juvenile and Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) cases, DWI charges, as well as national security clearance issues.

John represents a diverse group of clients, including professionals – doctors, lawyers, executives – who suddenly find themselves in difficult circumstances. He has also served as a special prosecutor appointed to handle complex criminal matters.

Government Misconduct / Civil Rights

John represents clients who have been victimized by government misconduct, including whistleblower retaliation, injury or death at the hands of a law enforcement officer, false arrest and governmental harassment based on the exercise of one’s constitutional rights.

Civil Litigation

John represents clients in personal injury, wrongful death and employment actions, as well as general litigation matters.

His efforts in civil litigation are centered on establishing close working relationships with his clients, emphasizing a precise focus on the client’s interests, cost-effective services and the ability to respond quickly. In 2016, John and his co-counsel obtained a $1.5 million jury verdict for a man accused by his employer of fraud and breach of duty. John has negotiated multiple six and seven figure settlements for his clients.

John provides representation in cases which combine both civil and criminal matters. He provides creative options and alternatives for the resolution of potential criminal matters. He represents witnesses, crime victims, and businesses facing criminal and quasi-criminal investigations.