Criminal

In Arizona, lawmakers take driving under the influence (DUI) very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that the law as it is written allows for a defendant to be found guilty of driving under the influence in some situations when the car is parked in a legal parking spot. It can even be illegal for an intoxicated person to sit in a car that had been turned off. The reason that these situations are covered under Arizona’s DUI statute is because the statute makes it illegal for “a person to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle” while [...]

In the state of Arizona, domestic violence is taken very seriously and those who are convicted of this crime can face serious consequences.  According to the state of Arizona, domestic violence is a criminal act of abuse that is committed by one family member against another family member.  Keep in mind, however, that these criminal acts need not be violent to be considered domestic violence.  In fact, the definition of domestic violence includes any of the following types of abuse: neglect sexual abuse physical abuse economic control emotional (verbal) abuse child abuse elder abuse restraining order violation kidnapping disorderly contact [...]

You are probably experiencing stress about your arrest and the possible consequences of being convicted. Remember being arrested for a crime doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be convicted. You are innocent until proven guilty according to law. In this blog, we are going to discuss what you need to do after the arrest. Your first court date is called an Arraignment. This is when you are formally “charged” with a crime and told what the charges will be. You would also enter a plea to the charges (normally not guilty) and other dates are set. At the arraignment an [...]

What are field sobriety test? The Field Sobriety Test (FSTs) are three tests certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that police administer at the scene to determine if a driver is intoxicated. There are other tests that can be performed, but they have not been certified for use in DUI investigation. The three tests are: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN, the eye test), Walk and Turn test, and One Leg Stand test. HGN examines the eyes to check for signs of impairment. The Walk and Turn and One Leg Stand test examine a driver’s ability to divide his or [...]

What TO Do If You Are Stopped For Suspicion of DUI: Ask to speak with a DUI Lawyer in Arizona immediately. You have a right to obtain and preserve any independent evidence you can use to show your innocence. If you feel an independent blood test would help your case, you can go to a hospital of your choice and request that they take a sample of your blood for testing. While they will likely bill you for this service, it may be worth it. If the authorities refuse to timely release you, tell your DUI defense attorneys. This fact [...]

Were you or a loved one arrested recently? Are you facing criminal charges? You are likely faced with thousands of questions. Our team of Phoenix criminal defense attorneys has provided answers to some of the most common questions about criminal law that the firm receives. For answers to additional questions or for an evaluation of your case, feel free to contact our firm directly. Q: What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor? A: All crimes are classified as either a felony or a misdemeanor. Misdemeanors are lower level crimes that result in no more than one year [...]