If you have had a restraining order taken out against you in Arizona, then you are legally bound to its terms whether you are guilty or innocent. Since restraining orders are legally binding, violating its guidelines can cause any number of unwanted penalties – and in some cases, these penalties can even include jail time, depending on the specific requirements of the order. For this reason, if you or a loved one has been charged with a restraining order violation, it is in your best interest to get in touch with an experience Arizona restraining order attorney as soon as possible.

Understanding Restraining Orders

In Arizona, there are two types of restraining orders that can be taken out against another individual: orders of protection and injunctions against harassment. Orders of protection are generally filed in domestic cases, in which one individual has a relationship with the person receiving the order. These orders can involve significant others, parents of children, roommates, or relatives.

Injunctions against harassment, on the other hand, are filed when there is no domestic relationship between the parties – for example, a person can file this type of restraining order against a colleague who has a history of harassing the victim filing the order.

Penalties

To violate either type of restraining order is to go against the ruling of Arizona court, which can lead to you being charged with the interference of judicial proceedings. This is a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 1 year in jail and fines upwards of $2,500. Unfortunately, it is possible to be wrongfully charged with a restraining order violation & in instances like these, working with a qualified Arizona restraining order attorney is essential if you are interested in fighting to have the charge dismissed or the restraining order removed.

Work with Someone You Can Trust

It makes sense to work with a qualified and experienced Arizona restraining order attorney in order to maintain a strong defense. If you are charged with a restraining order violation, enlist the help of an Arizona criminal defense attorney you can trust. Work with someone who has had experience dealing with these types of cases because it's in your best interest to hire an attorney who will work diligently towards getting your charges reduced or even dismissed, but that's not all. Choose an Arizona criminal defense attorney who can and will provide you with the tools you need to change your life.

Under Arizona law, leaving the scene of an accident (or a “hit and run”) has the potential to become a felony if it meets certain criteria. In essence, when a person is involved in an accident (whether they are at fault or not), it is the responsibility of all parties involved to stop at a reasonable distance from the site of the accident in order to exchange information and provide assistance as needed. However, if the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident does not stop, that driver can be charged with leaving the scene of an accident; furthermore, if there is an injury or death caused by the accident, then the driver who left is liable to be charged with a felony.

If you have been involved in an accident and left the scene, then it is imperative that you contact an experienced Arizona hit and run attorney as soon as possible because the consequences for being charged with a hit and run felony are serious. For instance, if you caused an accident that did involve a death or injury, then this can become a class 3 hit and run felony. This type of felony results in your license being revoked for 5 years and jail time. Even if the accident did not cause injury or death, it can still be classified as a misdemeanor. This type of charge carries with it the possibility of jail time as well, though generally it would be less time than a felony.

Work with Someone You Can Trust

If you are charged with leaving the scene of an accident, enlist the help of an Arizona hit and run attorney you can trust. Work with someone who has had experience dealing with these types of cases because it’s in your best interest to hire an attorney who will work diligently towards getting your charges reduced or even dismissed – but that’s not all. Choose a Phoenix criminal defense attorney who can and will provide you with the tools you need to change your life.

In the state of Arizona, driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) are treated as the same offense.  Either way, the state takes this offense very seriously.  Statistics show that drunk driving incidents accounted for almost one third of all driving related fatalities in 2008.  As a result, the crackdown on drunk driving related offenses has started in Arizona.  That’s why you need to be working with a qualified Phoenix DUI Lawyer.

The penalties for DUI’s have recently gotten more severe.  Now there is a mandatory jail sentence, even for first offenders.  The amount of jail time can be mitigated by the facts of your specific case, including your level of intoxication and your specific history.  As an example, a blood alcohol level below .15 will earn you a minimum 24 hour jail sentence if it is your first offense.  Conversely, a blood alcohol level above .20 will mean a sentence of 45 days.  Of course, the punishment compounds in severity for multiple offenses.  This type of offense will interrupt your life, and frankly, you don’t need this hassle.  Get a designated driver.

Of course, people make mistakes.  If you are facing a DUI or DWI charge, there are several steps you need to take. The first thing is to call your attorney as soon as possible.  He or she may recommend you take the blood test as quickly as you can after being arrested.  The reason for this is many breathalyzers are aged and often inaccurate.  So if you believe your blood alcohol level is not above the legal limit, getting an independent blood test will be the best defense you have to the charge.  A blood test will give you the best chance of documenting the accurate, below the limit, level and then having the Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office dismiss the charge.  A dismissal is at their discretion, so you will absolutely want to speak with your attorney about the facts of your specific situation.  
 
Attempting to prove your innocence through an independent blood test is a fact that can be introduced into your case, even if you were unable to get one done.  It can help in your defense. A qualified Phoenix DUI lawyer will know the ins and outs of the constantly evolving drunk driving laws in Arizona.  So put yourself in touch with one as soon as you can.  We advise our clients to carry their card in their pockets or wallets. Keep in mind that a DUI charge is not the end of the world.  You are going through a rough patch here, and you need a DUI lawyer who not only understands the law, but has the compassion necessary to help you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and move forward with your life.  

Phoenix DUI attorney Guy Brown is one such lawyer.  Not only is he Certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Standardized Field Sobriety testing for DUI cases, but he and his team strive to give you that extra attention that most lawyers forget.  His clients appreciate his bedside manner, and you will too.  Call him today – 602-396-7114.

Homicide. It is one of our society’s most taboo actions and is pegged with a cultural stigma. Being charged with homicide means you could be faced with severe punishments, including life imprisonment with/without parole, the death penalty, fines, and other penalties.
 

The severity of punishment varies depending on the circumstances surrounding the case, including prior convictions and aggravating/mitigating circumstances. Aggravating circumstances in a homicide case include premeditation, poisoning, or exceptional brutality. Mitigating circumstances can be defined as conditions that affect the balance of the mind, such as insanity, post-partum depression, or unintentional (negligent) homicide. Since all homicide cases have a variety of factors surrounding them, it is important to seek the assistance of a qualified criminal defense attorney if you or a loved one have been convicted of murder.
 

With the legal assistance of a qualified Phoenix homicide attorney, the circumstances of your case will be examined for defense that can be brought up in court. For example, some defenses that can be used in trial include self-defense, factual innocence, or insufficient proof, though the defenses used in different cases vary widely based on the specific crime. If, for instance, your case can be defended under instance of self-defense, the charge may be reduced or dismissed for reason of the protection of personal safety by any means necessary. Your attorney will be able to deduce which defense will be most viable in court.
 

In Arizona, there are a variety of laws that deal with homicide of different types.

Negligent homicide refers to the accidental death of another human being due to extreme negligence or recklessness.

Vehicular Manslaughter can be charged if the defendant caused an accident that resulted in the death of another person through reckless driving. Depending on the situation, jail time can range from 5 to 12.5 years in certain situations.

Second Degree Murder is charged if the defendant intentionally killed or participated in actions that led to the death of another person. It is punishable by 10 to 27 years in prison.

First Degree Murder refers to the intentional killing of another person with intent, though there are other additions to the charge that may not require intent. A person convicted with this charge could face life in prison without parole or even the death penalty.

Being faced with a homicide charge is a serious situation with significant consequences. For this reason, it is important to contact a qualified Phoenix homicide attorney as soon as possible so that your case may be fought for reduced or even dismissed charges. Explore your options and remember: you are a human being with the right to a compassionate and thorough defense at the hands of a trusted attorney; in cases like these, you should only settle for the best.

 

You have a few drinks with some friends, have a great time, and then hop into your car to drive home. You feel fine, right? But you don’t realize that you’re swerving around on the road until you see the flash of red and blue lights in your rear-view mirror. Uh-oh. If your Blood-Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is above 0.08%, chances are high that you’re going to be facing some serious ramifications under the name of a DUI. Or is it a DWI? Here, we’ll take a look at what is the difference between DWI and DUI.
 

DWI vs DUI

First off, it’s important to understand that in the state of Arizona, the terms “DUI” and “DWI” can be used interchangeably. They stand for “Driving Under the Influence” and “Driving While Intoxicated”, respectively, and both require the help of a Phoenix DUI attorney. Nationwide, different states regard these two terms with varying amounts of severity. For instance, in some states, DUI charges are considered a lesser offense.
 

For a DWI to be changed to a DUI, various factors must be considered. These include whether the incident is a first offense, the defendant’s display of remorse for the action, and a BAC level that was not significantly over the legal limit. States like New York consider a BAC below 0.08% to be the defining criteria for charging an individual with a DUI, as opposed to a DWI. On the other hand, many states have a zero tolerance policy for individuals who drive under the influence of alcohol; every state has a minimum illegal blood alcohol level of 0.08, and an individual found to be driving over that specified limit is a crime.
 

Some states use the terms DWI and DUI to differentiate between what kind of influence the driver was operating under. In these areas, a DUI is reserved for illegal drugs, while DWI is used for alcoholic impairment.
 

What to Do

In any case, no matter what your situation is or where you are, it is imperative that you have the right resources at hand if you are charged with a DUI or DWI. If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI/DWI, contact an experienced criminal lawyer in Phoenix to ensure that you receive the best chance possible of having your case reduced or even dismissed. However, finding someone with a plethora of experience isn’t the only factor in determining which attorney is right for you – you also want to find someone you can trust. Choose an attorney who will not only defend you passionately, but who can and will turn your life around.