With multiple events going on in February, including Super Bowl LVII, the Waste Management Open, and the Barrett Jackson Car Auction, hundreds of thousands of people descended upon the Valley of the Sun. According to the Super Bowl Host Committee, close to 300,000 visitors came through the NFL Experience in downtown Phoenix, including nearly 25,000 fans in Margaret T. Hance Park for the Super Bowl Sunday watch party. (Fox 10 Phoenix 2/23/23)

Other Super Bowl events were held throughout the valley, including the Old Town Scottsdale Main Street Tailgate, a Super Bowl Gospel Celebration in Mesa, a Super Bowl Music Fest in Phoenix, and of course the Super Bowl itself took place in Glendale, AZ at the State Farm Stadium.

Sky Harbor International Airport broke records on Monday, the day after SBLVII as over 200,000 fans were returning back to their hometowns after the big game. (AZCentral.com 2/16/23)

With the multiple events going in during the month of February, there were likely an increase in arrests during that timeframe. The types of cases we have seen so far have primarily involved alcohol violations, including DUI and Minor in Possession/Consumption as well as Disorderly Conduct cases. Multiple City, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies also performed a sex-trafficking sting operation across the Valley, which resulted in several arrests, including 300 misdemeanor and 48 felony arrests involving 120 arrests for ‘sex buyers’ and 35 arrests for prostitution. Law enforcement agencies have not provided additional information on the other arrests, citing that they are “open investigations”, although, according to court records, 6 of the arrests involved ‘soliciting sex from minors’. (AZ Republic 2/26/23)

If you are facing charges stemming from any of the multiple events in Arizona, whether you were here for the Super Bowl in Glendale, AZ, the Waste Management Open in Scottsdale, AZ, Barrett Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, AZ, or just the magnificent sunshine, this Firm can help. It is stressful enough facing charges, but then add to that, residing outside the state of AZ and great distances from the courthouse in which you are set to appear, can just add to the challenge of facing criminal charges. Having a local attorney who is experienced in representing out of state clients, can relieve a lot of the stress involved with navigating through our criminal justice system here in Arizona. Mr. Buckallew has nearly 25 years’ experience handling all types of criminal charges, ranging from DUI to Aggravated Assault, Domestic Violence, Disorderly Conduct, Soliciting Prostitution and all types of other criminal violations. He is Board Certified in Criminal Law and has been defending against DUI and Criminal charges in the state of Arizona since he began practicing law over 2 decades ago.

Contact the Firm today for a free case evaluation of any pending criminal case in the State of Arizona.

The fall semester is upon us and ASU students are resuming classes this week, with many joining the ranks of college for the very first time. As students are getting moved into dorms or local apartments, and situated for the start of the school year, we want to remind students and families to keep safety in mind both on and off campus. Some common safety tips to remember include bicycle safety, locking your bicycle to prevent theft, locking car doors, not leaving valuables in your car, and using the ‘buddy system’ when walking around campus at night. See ASU’s website for additional safety tips and to learn more about other campus safety protocols.

It is not uncommon at the start of a new school year to see both Tempe Police and ASU Police ramp up their patrols in and around campus to ensure the safety of students and residents. Some of the high traffic areas these police agencies will be focusing on include, University Drive & College Avenue, Apache Boulevard and College Avenue, and Apache Boulevard and McAllister Avenue. The officers try to educate and spread awareness initially and we usually see them giving warnings for certain infractions before they begin issuing citations, whether it be traffic citations or other violations. We also anticipate that both Tempe and ASU Police will be participating in DUI Task Forces throughout the year, cracking down on alcohol related violations such as Underage Drinking, Underage DUI, Minor in Consumption, and Minor in Possession. With over 50,000 students enrolled at the Tempe Campus, and a notable night life with restaurants, bars and entertainment along Mill Avenue and Tempe Beach Park nearby, and numerous large events in Tempe throughout the year, there is an increased potential for impaired drivers and other criminal violations, such as Assault, Theft, Underage Drinking, Disorderly Conduct, and other similar alcohol violations. Remember to stay safe both at home and on campus, as well as at parties, riding your bicycle and driving your car. Drink responsibly and always use a designated driver.

This Firm has been a fixture in the valley for over 20 years, and being so close in proximity to ASU, we have represented countless ASU students over the years. While we handle all types of criminal cases, from Underage Drinking violations to more serious felony Assault and Theft charges, the most common types of cases we see in our office from ASU students include, Minor in Consumption, Fake ID, Possession of Marijuana and Underage DUI cases. If you are facing any type of criminal violation, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced Tempe Criminal Defense Attorney. The government takes these cases very seriously and the consequences can include the possibility of jail time, probation, fees and fines, alcohol screening and classes, community work service and other penalties. If you are a student, this may also jeopardize your opportunity for certain scholarships, or your participation on athletic teams, and will also result in a criminal record if you are convicted. The Firm has represented countless ASU students and other young adults with all types of criminal and alcohol and/or drug related cases and has a proven track record in achieving great results for our clients in many of those cases.

Contact our office today for a free and confidential consultation regarding any pending criminal or DUI charge (602) 825-3300.

**This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact the Firm to schedule a consultation regarding your case.

Mesa Municipal Court Criminal Cases

If you were cited and/or arrested on a misdemeanor criminal violation by the Mesa Police Department, you will likely be appearing in the Mesa Municipal Court. The Mesa Municipal Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor offenses such as DUI (1st Time DUI, Extreme DUI, Super Extreme DUI, Underage DUI), Assault, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Damage, Domestic Violence and other criminal misdemeanor charges as well as traffic violations, Orders of Protection and Injunctions Against Harassment. Mr. Buckallew has handled countless cases in the Mesa Municipal Court, is very familiar with the Judges and Prosecutors over there and has experience in handling all types of criminal and DUI cases in this Courthouse. The Courthouse is nearby our Tempe office and is located one block south of Main Street and one block west of Mesa Drive at:

Mesa Municipal Court

250 East 1^st Avenue

Mesa, AZ 85210

The Court operates on a 4-day schedule and the hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (excluding holidays).

Dress Code / Courtroom Etiquette

While your attorney will facilitate the court proceedings and give you instructions regarding your role during these various proceedings, it is always helpful to understand basic courtroom etiquette, including being on time, being polite to all court personnel, opposing counsel and the Judge, turning off electronic devices/phones and dressing appropriately. You want to make a good impression and impress upon the Court and Prosecutor that you are taking your case very seriously, and as such, your appearance and what you wear is important. Clothing should be free of offensive/controversial slogans, and no hats, cut-off shorts or flip-flops should be worn. Your appearance should not distract from your case or your defense and recommended attire would be ‘business casual’ such as a tucked in collared shirt and slacks for men and a blouse or sweater and slacks for women.

Types of Criminal Cases

The most common types of cases we typically see in the Mesa Municipal Court, include DUI, Disorderly Conduct, Domestic Violence, Shoplifting, Assault and Probation Violations. At this Firm, we have experience handling all types of misdemeanor (and felony) criminal cases in the Mesa Municipal Court and in courts throughout the Valley (and statewide).

Free Case Evaluation

If you have a criminal case pending in the Mesa Municipal Court, contact the office to schedule a free evaluation of your case. You will consult directly with Mr. Buckallew, a Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney. Mr. Buckallew has significant experience in litigating criminal and DUI cases with nearly 2 decades of criminal defense practice and countless cases successfully resolved over the course of his career. Mr. Buckallew personally handles each case from start to finish. You will have peace of mind knowing that you will have a personalized, one-on-one relationship and attention to your case. Mr. Buckallew will be making court appearances with you, providing case updates, and working towards case resolution on your behalf. This helps develop a strong working attorney-client relationship built on trust, and mutual understanding of your case objective(s). Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

**This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact the Firm to schedule a consultation regarding your case.

What is a crime involving moral turpitude?

According to Black’s Law Dictionary, moral turpitude is defined as “Conduct that is contrary to justice, honesty or morality.” It is important to understand the consequences if convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT), particularly as it relates to immigration matters. These types of crimes can also have an impact on a person’s ability to pursue meaningful employment, as prospective employers may call into question, a person’s honesty or integrity if these types of crimes are found during a background search.

What types of crimes are deemed to be crimes involving moral turpitude? The more common crimes include the following:

• Crimes against a person such as Murder, Voluntary or Reckless Manslaughter, and Kidnapping are considered CIMT’s. Immigration law also considers Child Neglect, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Stalking and repeated Harassment as CIMT’s.
• Sexual Offenses such as Rape, Prostitution and Possession of Child Pornography are considered CIMT’s.
• Crimes Against Property such as Breaking and Entering to commit Larceny, crimes of Theft, and Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods are considered CIMT’s.
• Crimes Involving Fraud – Most crimes involving Fraud either against the government or individuals are considered CIMT’s, as well as making false statements to obtain a passport, driver’s license, firearm application, passing bad checks, and fraudulent use of a social security number.

The immigration consequences, if convicted of a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude can lead to deportation under U.S. immigration statutes, if an alien has no U.S. immigration status. The alien is subject to exclusion from the U.S. for a minimum of 15 years and can also establish a basis for deportation, under certain circumstances, of aliens who have some immigration status, according to a recent article in The Champion magazine (published by NACDL). Because of the significant immigration consequences associated with Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude, it is critical to seek the advice of an experienced attorney who understands the impact of these types of crimes, before making any decisions in your case.

Not only can these crimes have an impact on immigration status, but CIMT’s can also have long term consequences for citizens of this country, particularly in an individual’s pursuit of a meaningful career. It can be very difficult to gain employment with a criminal record and the stigma of this record can follow a person for a lifetime. While there are laws protecting individuals from employment discrimination, public employers in the State of Arizona may deny employment to an individual with a criminal record if there is a reasonable correlation between the type of conviction and the position being sought after. For example, if a person has a drug conviction, an employer may determine that this will have no impact on handling the duties of an office clerk, if that individual is otherwise qualified. However, if the person is seeking a position as a pharmacist, then the drug conviction may be an impediment to obtaining a position in this field. As such, employers such as banks or other financial institutions, cashiers, or other positions that involve the handling of money or other valuable items, may be hesitant to hire someone who has been convicted of Theft, Fraud, Financial Crimes, or other Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude. Because the laws regarding employment, with respect to convictions of crimes involving moral turpitude are riddled with complexities, it is imperative that you seek the advice of legal counsel before making any decisions that may have a long lasting impact on your livelihood.

Contact the Firm today for a free evaluation of your case, if you have been charged with a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude, or any other criminal charge. The Firm represents individuals in Gilbert, Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, all surrounding East Valley Cities, Phoenix, and all surrounding West Valley Cities.

**This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact the Firm to schedule a consultation regarding your case.

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