Matthew Coyte

Matthew Coyte is an Albuquerque attorney and the founder of Coyte Law, P.C., who focuses on civil rights and criminal defense law. He has spent more than two decades representing incarcerated people across New Mexico. His civil rights work addresses unconstitutional prison and jail conditions, inadequate medical care, excessive force, wrongful death, and abuses involving solitary confinement. He has secured multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts against counties accused of unlawful and inhumane jail practices.

Matthew earned his B.S. from the University of Bath. He later received his J.D. from the University of New Mexico. His education provided a foundation for a career centered on criminal defense, constitutional rights, prisoner advocacy, and complex civil rights litigation.

Matthew has pursued litigation and legislative reforms aimed at improving conditions for people held in New Mexico prisons and jails. He helped advance legislation restricting solitary confinement for juveniles and people with serious mental disabilities. His advocacy has addressed transparency surrounding restricted housing and broader reforms involving pretrial detention. He has served on committees connected to New Mexico bail reform and criminal justice coordination. He has presented internationally on corruption in prisons and jails.

Matthew Coyte is the founder of his practice and a former president of the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Public Justice named him Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2013. The United Nations invited him to provide testimony in Vienna on prison and jail corruption in 2014. The ACLU of New Mexico later recognized his work to reduce solitary confinement with its Guardian of Liberty award. His career reflects sustained advocacy for constitutional protections and humane treatment within correctional institutions.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founder, Coyte Law, P.C.
• Member, State Bar of New Mexico

Licensed State

• New Mexico

Education

• University of New Mexico
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Bath
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges