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TL;DR CDL holders face a stricter BAC limit of 0.04% compared to the standard 0.08% DUI convictions trigger an immediate one-year CDL suspension and mandatory employer notification Employers rarely sue for a simple DUI but may file for negligence if an accident occurs Lawsuits against drivers often aim to recoup losses from damaged freight…

TL;DR Arizona law allows you to refuse an officer’s request to unlock your phone without a warrant Cell phones require a higher privacy standard than vehicles due to the volume of sensitive data Police can seize a phone and hold it as evidence while they wait for a judge to sign a warrant Valid…

TL;DR Use alibi evidence like receipts, surveillance, or GPS to prove you weren’t at the crime scene Challenge mistaken identity or false accusations if the police arrested the wrong person Argue for dismissal if law enforcement violated your constitutional rights or committed procedural errors Provide evidence that no actual crime occurred, such as proof…

TL;DR Police must obtain a search warrant before using GPS devices to surreptitiously track a vehicle Passengers traveling with a vehicle owner have a legally recognized reasonable expectation of privacy GPS monitoring is considered a search because it is qualitatively more intrusive than visual surveillance Arizona courts may still uphold convictions if police relied…

TL;DR Common campus offenses include alcohol-related crimes, drug possession, assault, theft, and disorderly conduct Students face dual investigations from both local law enforcement and university disciplinary boards Legal penalties can range from fines and community service to incarceration and a permanent criminal record Campus-specific consequences include loss of scholarships, suspension, expulsion, and student loan…

  TL;DR Red light camera tickets in Arizona usually cost around $250 Violations add two points to your driving record and can raise insurance rates Cameras record photos and video after sensors detect a car entering a red light intersection Tickets are sent by mail to the vehicle owner or served directly to the…

TL;DR Officers need reasonable suspicion like erratic driving or traffic violations to initiate a stop Portable breathalyzers use chemical reactions to estimate BAC from alcohol vapors Arizona drivers may legally refuse a roadside breath test unless the officer has a warrant Refusing results in an automatic one-year license suspension and can be used as…

TL;DR Remain silent and wait for your attorney during an arrest Attend an initial appearance within 24 hours to learn charges and release conditions Negotiate potential plea deals with the prosecutor before the formal arraignment Face a trial where the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt Undergo a separate sentencing hearing and…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…