DUI ENFORCEMENT TO INCREASE DURING THE HOLIDAYS

DUI ENFORCEMENT TO INCREASE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
The Thanksgiving holiday brought out scores of early holiday shoppers and party revelers for the Arizona-Arizona State football game. With many people on the roads, law enforcement agencies across the state stepped up their drunk driving enforcement activities. With Thanksgiving week being one of the deadliest during the year, it is an annual ritual to increase patrols and DUI checkpoints.
KVOA news in Tucson reported that the Southern Arizona DUI Task Force stopped 257 cars last Friday, with 34 drivers being arrested on suspicion of DUI.
From now through the New Years' holiday, it is expected that law enforcement will have an increased presence on Arizona roads. Motorists should also be aware of "no refusal" strategies; programs geared towards preventing drunk drivers from taking authorities' ability to get important evidence to support a DUI charge.
Why are these strategies used? Under Arizona law, a driver arrested for DUI can choose a blood test instead of a breath or urine test to measure their blood alcohol content (BAC). While blood tests are more accurate than breath tests, it takes a while for the test to be performed. By this time, the driver's BAC can be lower than when they were first arrested (or even under the legal limit); allowing the driver to avoid criminal charges.
Under "no refusal," judges are readily available to issue search warrants so that on-site nurses can take blood samples. A driver cannot refuse a search warrant.
While these strategies are touted for saving lives, they raise important questions about whether such searches are constitutional based on how much information is collected before a warrant is issued.

DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyer

DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyer

Serving Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tempe, Arizona

As a criminal defense attorney, my job is to vigorously protect the rights of my clients and to give each of them the best legal advice I can. It is a job I have been doing for over 40 years. Over the course of my career, I have personally handled approximately 250 trials as well as virtually every type of criminal law case. In simplest terms, there is no other kind of work I would rather do.

Today, the majority of my criminal law practice is focused on abuse and domestic violence charges, drunk driving cases, and assaults - all topics you can read more about by using the links below:

Domestic violence - Disorderly conduct
DUI charges
Assault and battery
You have a constitutional right to a trial.

Most lawyers will charge $1,000 or more, PER DAY, for a trial. My feeling is that no one should be forced to plead guilty just because he or she cannot afford what the attorney charges for trial work. Because I believe that, I almost never charge extra fees for a trial.

If you are calling a lawyer for a quote, ALWAYS ask him or her after he or she quotes you a retainer fee: "If my case goes to trial, are there additional fees and HOW MUCH?"

Practicing With Integrity for Over 40 Years
Contact Me Online or Call 602.274.2827 for a Free Consultation

ARIZONA PENALTIES FOR DRUNK DRIVING INFRACTIONS

ARIZONA PENALTIES FOR DRUNK DRIVING INFRACTIONS

It is no secret that Arizona has become tougher on drunk driving in recent years. Drunk driving accidents are tragic reminders that a small number of motorists can be deadly hazards on the road.
Because of this, drunk drivers can be charged with a number of DUI violations that match their reported blood alcohol levels as well as property damage (and injuries) that may stem from the offense.
Drivers who are found to have blood alcohol levels above .08 (and below .15) can be charged with driving under the influence. DUI is a class 1 misdemeanor that is punishable with one day in jail and up to $750 in fines. Offenders also face a 90 day administrative license suspension.
For drivers caught with a blood alcohol level greater than .15 (and below.20), they face charges of extreme DUI. They face up to 30 days in jail and a host of fines, including a $1000 assessment to the state prison fund, a $1000 assessment to the state public safety fund as well as $250 for a DUI assessment. In addition to the 90 day administrative license suspension, offenders must install an ignition interlock system on their vehicle and maintain it for one year.
Drivers caught with a blood alcohol level greater than .20 can be charged with super extreme DUI. This charge is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 45 days in jail and up to $3000 in administrative fines and penalties. Offenders will also be required to maintain an ignition interlock system for at least 18 months.
If you have questions about the criminal consequences you face if charged with a DUI, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.

DUI NEWS FLASH AT PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

DUI NEWS FLASH AT PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
By Thompson Law Firm posted in News on Friday, November 16, 2012     In one of the most bizarre stories about DUI, on November 15, 2012, a woman was arrested on suspicion of aggravated DUI after she drove her vehicle through a fence and onto the runway at Phoenix International Airport.  The irony for us comes in the fact that this all occurred while we was posting our last blog about DUI and the topic was Aggravated DUI. If this 21-year-old woman is found guilty, she is facing some pretty severe penalties.  Especially considering the fact that her 2month old infant was in the car and she is alleged to have crashed her vehicle onto the runway causing a security breach at PHX.
      We can only hope she was able to exercise her right to a lawyer and called someone experienced in representing those accused of Aggravated DUI.  We can also hope that no matter what else may happen to this young lady in the course of her impending legal trouble, that she also finds the help she so obviously needs. This is not a mere bump in the road, and this young woman surely has no idea how difficult and complicated her legal ordeal could become.

Use a DUI Attorney in Phoenix to Help Your Criminal Case

Use a DUI Attorney in Phoenix to Help Your Criminal Case
If you are on the wrong end of a criminal DUI case in Phoenix, there are some must read tips that case save your freedom.

Driving under the impact (DUI) is a major offence in Phoenix, Arizona. Not only do such individuals endanger their owe lives yet those of additional road users. It is in this respect that the State has put rigid measures to curb on this act. A DUI attorney in phoenix will help you with your case to guarantee that at least you acquire a great yet still keep your steering privileges. Of significance to take note is that these situations are typically complicated as there are certain guidelines that the district attorney will set up out to those caught committing the criminal activity.

Due to the difficult quality of the DUI cases, a lawyer in phoenix is a beneficial possession that you should have. He or she is educated and experienced with the legal guidelines referring to DUI instances within Phoenix. The lawyer will certainly help you acquire a far better deal on your fees. significantly, most courts are eager to take a plea promotion as opposed to taking these cases to testing given that this might congest the judicial system. Recognizing how to locate a DUI attorney in phoenix is the initial step towards escaping a couple of the harshest rules and penalties the metro of Phoenix in Arizona State is known to render to such DUI convicts.

Some of the standard sources that you may start with to locating DUI attorney in phoenix are enumerated below.

Look the internet-The internet is an astonishing source to find an attorney as many of these attorney have their web sites herein. By doing a fundamental keyword search, you will effortlessly obtain details that you call for from lawyers. The net likewise allows you to check out testimonials, contrast the services they give and view their listings. This is particularly necessary for first time culprits or convicts.

Referral – referrals are a fantastic method through which you can easily spot a steering under the influence attorney. These referrals may be obtained from pals, relative, neighbors or associates in the work area. Referral are specifically essential since they trigger those lawyer that have a proven track record. Pinpointing an attorney from individuals close to you makes sure that you never ever fail.

Directory site listings – There are online directories which have listings for DUI attorney in phoenix. Best instance of such listings is the yellow web pages. They offer both the area and address of such lawyers making it possible to not only contact yet additionally visit them. After spotting such lawyers, you will definitely them should assess their capacity to handle your situation.



Contact the Maricopa County Bar Association-When sentenced for DUI fees in Arizona, this organization of attorneys will allow you to obtain a lawyer within the Phoenix. You can easily contact them from the internet or with the phone and discuss your necessities. Look out for lawyers that are accredited to exercise in Phoenix – DUI criminal fees are accomplished in the city where you were charged. As a result, ensure that you spot a DUI attorney in phoenix that is certified to serve within this jurisdiction.

Equipped with skill-sets on how to locate your dui attorney in phoenix, give unique factor to consider to factors such as experience, specialty, licensing, years in service and credibility when selecting among attorneys located.

Gas Thief Catches His Truck, Himself on Fire; Crashes Into House

Gas Thief Catches His Truck, Himself on Fire; Crashes Into House
Herbert C. Ridge reportedly fashioned a homemade electric gas siphon to steal fuel from other people's vehicles, AZfamily.com reports. Unfortunately for Ridge, the gadget malfunctioned, setting fire to himself, his truck, and a nearby home.

Ridge suffered severe burns and is now facing some serious charges, including DUI and felony criminal damage.

Ridge was using the siphon to steal fuel from a truck parked in the driveway of a Mesa home when a spark from the device likely caught Ridge's clothes on fire. Chaplin-esque hilarity ensued.

Ridge ran into the street, dropped to the ground, and rolled around to try to put out the flames. When he thought he was in the clear, Ridge got back into his truck and fled the scene.

However, he was mistaken about the flames being extinguished, and the fire soon spread to the inside of his truck. Ridge opened the door and bailed out, but the truck kept rolling down the road. It eventually crashed into a home a few doors down from the site of the theft.

"I heard a loud boom, an explosion, and just came running looking for hoses to put out the fire," neighbor Tim Worth told 3TV.

The best part: It was all caught on tape. A neighbor's newly installed surveillance cameras recorded the bizarre incident.

Fortunately no one besides Ridge was hurt in the incident. He was taken to the Maricopa County Burn Unit for treatment.

Ridge has been charged with DUI, theft, felony criminal damage, and possession of dangerous drugs. If it's his first DUI offense, Ridge is facing a minimum of 10 days in jail, a fine of $1,250, a 90-day license suspension, and the installation of an ignition interlock system on his car if convicted.

All that for a tank of gas. Even $4 a gallon is small change compared to the DUI fines, restitution, and medical costs Ridge is now facing.

Affordable Personal Injury Attorneys in Phoenix

Affordable Personal Injury Attorneys in Phoenix

The fear of costly attorney fees should not keep you from seeking representation from a qualified personal injury attorney during your time of need. Call today to schedule your free consultation, or fill out the online case evaluation form. A Lerner and Rowe Personal Injury attorney from our law firm will contact you within 24 hours after you submit your case details.

In cases of personal injury, our attorney fees are contingent upon the outcome of your case. You don’t pay unless you receive a recovery for your personal injury claim. In other cases, your attorney will work with you to arrange a payment plan. Your personal injury attorney or criminal defense attorney will discuss any possible fees with you prior to any services provided.