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Domestic Violence Resources in Arizona In 2013, the Phoenix Police Department reported receiving 50,000 domestic violence calls. However, an estimated additional 40,000 incidents of domestic violence go unreported each year. Nationally, our state ranks fourth for the rate of female domestic violence homicides. Source: Sojourner Center.org which also assists victims of domestic violence in…

No one wants to face criminal charges, but many defendants breathe a small sigh of relief when they learn they’re facing misdemeanor charges rather than a more serious felony. There are significant differences between a misdemeanor conviction and a felony conviction; for instance, misdemeanor sentences are typically no more than six months in jail…

Disorderly conduct is one of the most common criminal charges in Arizona. It’s sometimes applied when law enforcement are not sure what other charges might apply to a situation. Disorderly conduct is sometimes called “disturbing the peace.” It may also be called “drunk and disorderly” when the suspect commits the conduct in combination with…

Decision-making isn’t always at its peak during the college years, but when typical college recklessness, rash decisions, or scuffles with another student result in criminal charges, college students in Arizona face both legal and campus consequences. Colleges have institutional policies a suspect must consider as well as the impacts of a criminal record on…

Arizona’s criminal courts have a reasonable amount of flexibility in sentencing those convicted of crimes. Under a variety of circumstances, a judge may sentence a convicted individual to community service rather than incarceration or fines or in addition to incarceration or fines. The court considers the nature of the crime and the defendant’s criminal…

Intentionally damaging someone else’s property is a crime in Arizona with penalties dependent upon the value of the damaged property. Before the criminal justice system classifies the crime as a misdemeanor or felony, they must first evaluate the property to arrive at a dollar amount. If you or your family member damaged property belonging…

If you’re facing criminal charges in Arizona, you may wonder what to expect as you endure the legal process ahead. While it’s critical to seek skilled representation by a criminal attorney with a strong track record of success in similar cases, you’ll more successfully navigate Arizona’s criminal justice system by understanding each step of…

Law enforcement agencies in Arizona take gun crimes and weapon misconduct charges very seriously. The state’s district attorneys tend to aggressively prosecute them due to the violent and destructive nature of gun crimes and the media’s interest in the escalating numbers of violent crimes involving guns in the U.S. In some cases, misunderstanding of…

Facing criminal charges in Arizona can be daunting. Fortunately, anyone charged with a crime in the U.S. is entitled to a strong defense. With the life-altering possibilities of jail time, fines, and a criminal history on your record, no criminal charges should be taken lightly. It’s important to understand that criminal charges do not…

Everyone makes mistakes and the college years are not typically when we make our best decisions. But what if a bad choice risks the lives of others and puts your entire future at risk? The Arizona justice system takes drinking and driving very seriously. Over 4,500 drunk driving accidents in a single recent year…

It’s easy to think of the police as all-powerful, but do they have the right to search your cell phone without permission? While it’s important to remain respectful, and under Arizona law, you must comply with an officer’s requests to roll down your window during a traffic stop, supply your name, and show ID,…

In Arizona, some non-violent offenders are eligible for house arrest rather than incarceration in a state or county facility. In most cases, the inmate begins their sentence in jail or prison before becoming eligible for house arrest. House arrest—or home detention—occurs after a conviction and requires the convicted individual to remain at home to…

Many criminal charges in Arizona come with stiff penalties, including time in county jail or prison. Probation is always a more favorable option for a defendant than incarceration. With this alternative to incarceration for a criminal conviction, you can return to your community and remain there as long as you adhere to the rules…

Everyone makes mistakes, but drinking with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or over in Arizona is a serious mistake with significant repercussions. While most people charged with a DUI have immediate—and reasonable—fears of spending time in jail, the shame and stress of a trial, and the financial consequences of their arrest, for…

Driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances is a serious offense in Arizona, with mandatory jail time of 10 days or more even for a first offense. Often DUI convictions result in probation for a period of time following the conviction. During the probation period, you may have to complete hours of…

Being charged with a DUI is a frightening experience. Finding yourself charged, booked, undergoing mandatory blood or urine testing, and held in a cell until your citation is issued is a humbling experience that only worsens when the results of the blood test end in an official DUI charge and arraignment date. Facing Arizona’s…

In Arizona, driving while intoxicated comes with stiff penalties. Arizona law enforcement takes drunk driving very seriously. Impaired drivers pose a significant danger to others on the road, killing one American approximately every 45 minutes. Consequences for a first DUI offense in Arizona can bring fines of over $1,250 and ten days of jail…

States like Arizona depend heavily on the transportation industry for their goods and services, and with 6 major interstate highways, the Grand Canyon State is mecca for truck drivers. But what if you want to become a commercial driver in Arizona but have a past conviction for DUI? Everyone makes mistakes, and you may…

A fun night out with friends, a romantic dinner date with wine, or an evening watching the big game at a sports bar can be the highlight of your week. But if your good time turns into a DUI, the results of your night out can be life-altering. Police officers in Arizona need only…

People in the United States, including Arizona residents, expect a right to privacy within their own property. The wording of the U.S. Constitution expressly forbids police officers from conducting “unreasonable” search and seizure, which means they cannot enter private property without a warrant. However, for centuries, court cases have attempted to define the parameters…