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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)

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Criminal Defense Lawyer | ASU Students

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.

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Desert-Image-e1554843646540-225x300It’s that time of year again for the biggest music festival in Arizona – Country Thunder, which is held at Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence, Arizona (Pinal County), situated about 60 miles southeast of Phoenix. The festival runs April 11th -14th (Thursday-Sunday) this year. Nearly 30,000 people are expected to attend the festival each day and many people reserve on-site campsites for the weekend of festivities. Some of the headliners this year include Brett Eldredge, Tim McGraw, Phoenix native Dierks Bentley, and for the very first time at AZ Country Thunder – Chris Stapleton, among other popular country music stars.

As in years past, multiple law enforcement agencies will have a presence during the festival weekend, ensuring safety and security of all festival participants as well as patrolling the roadways leading into and out of Canyon Moon Ranch. The primary law enforcement agencies who usually have a presence each year at Country Thunder include the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and the Arizona Department of Liquor License/Control – both uniformed officers as well as undercover officers.

According to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, they responded to a total of 227 calls within the campground and concert areas last year (2018), which resulted in 16 arrests (18 charges). Of those charges, there were 7 Disorderly Conduct violations, 4 Assaults, and then 1 each of Possession of Narcotic Drugs, Criminal Damage, Resisting Arrest, Misconduct Involving Weapons, Hit and Run with Injury and Liquor Violations. According to a recent article in AZCentral.com, there were 85 other arrests for Underage Drinking violations.

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flag-231x300Every year law enforcement agencies across the State of Arizona participate in special DUI task forces and checkpoints over Memorial Day weekend with their stated goal being to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities by enforcing DUI and traffic laws. Last year, according to the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, more than 550 drivers throughout the state were arrested on suspicion of DUI, including arrests for extreme DUI (blood alcohol content of 0.15% or greater). Other citations and arrests included aggressive driving violations, Underage DUI violations (under the age of 21), and DUI drug violations.

What Should I do if I am stopped at a DUI Checkpoint?

  1. Slow down and safely enter the DUI checkpoint area.
  2. Stay in your car and follow the officer’s instructions.
  3. Do cooperate with the officer and provide your driver’s license, insurance and registration. However, once you have provided your identification, remember, you do have the right to remain silent and should let the officer know that you wish to exercise your right to remain silent. You also have the right to contact your lawyer – do let the officer know that you wish to contact an attorney.
  4. If you are asked to step out of your car to perform field sobriety tests (such as the finger-to-nose test or the walk-and-turn test), you are not required to participate in these field sobriety tests. These tests are subjective and can be used to build evidence which can be used against you.
  5. While you do have the right to refuse the field sobriety tests, that does not mean you should refuse all other tests. Under Arizona’s implied consent laws, a person who operates a motor vehicle gives consent to test(s) of the person’s blood, breath, or urine to determine alcohol concentration or blood content for any allegations of driving or actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. Failure to consent to a chemical test will result in a 12-month license suspension. Even if you refuse to submit to the test, the officer will likely end up obtaining a search warrant which will require you to allow the blood draw anyways and will still result in a 12-month license suspension.
  6. You have the right to consult with an attorney and it is advisable to do so as soon as possible after you become a target of any criminal investigation.

What happens if I am charged with a DUI?

If you have been arrested for DUI, you will likely be transported to the police station or a DUI Task Force van to have your blood alcohol levels tested either through a blood draw and/or a breathalyzer test (and in some cases a urine test). Usually you will then be released, and someone can come and pick you up. In some cases, if the charges are more serious you may be held and booked into jail where you will see a Judge within 24 hours for an initial appearance and to determine release conditions.

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Every year Florence, AZ is host to Country Thunder, the biggest outdoor country music festival in the state. The festival is sure to draw in thousands of fans young and old. With temperatures this weekend forecasted in the 90’s, you will want to be sure to have plenty of water, hats, and sunscreen! Above all, have a great time and be safe.

According to local news outlets, there will be an increased presence of Sheriff’s Deputies, undercover officers and security to ensure the safety and security of everyone attending the festival. Keep in mind, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), the AZ Dept. of Liquor License/Control, and the Florence Police Department in years past have issued hundreds of citations over the course of the 4-day weekend, particularly involving underage drinking related violations, including Minor in Consumption and Minor in Possession, as well as using fake ID’s to buy alcohol and furnishing alcohol to a minor. We have also seen numerous DUI/DWI cases occur as attendees leave the festival.

If you were arrested by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Florence Police Department, AZ Dept. of Liquor License/Control, or any other agency during Country Thunder weekend, contact the Firm to arrange a free evaluation regarding your case. We have handled countless Country Thunder citations over the years and are familiar with the local courts as well as the typical violations we see coming out of this festival each year. Depending on the agency you were arrested by, your case will likely be cited into either the Florence-Coolidge Justice Court located at 400 South Central Avenue in Florence, AZ or at the Florence Municipal Court located at 775 North Main Street in Florence.

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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

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Apache Junction Municipal Court Criminal Cases

If you were cited for a misdemeanor criminal violation by the Apache Junction Police Department, within the city limits of Apache Junction, you were likely cited into the Apache Junction Municipal Court. The types of cases which could be cited into this court could include, DUI (1st Time DUI, Extreme DUI, Super Extreme DUI, Underage DUI), Assault, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Damage, Domestic Violence or any other criminal misdemeanor charges. The courthouse is located at:

300 East Superstition Boulevard, Apache Junction, AZ

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First Time DUI Penalties in Mesa

If this is the first time you have ever been arrested for a DUI, you are probably wondering whether you will have to serve any time in jail, whether your driver's license will be suspended and what types of fines/fees and other costs you might be subject to if you are convicted.

The penalties for a 1st time DUI offense (within 84 months), a Class 1 Misdemeanor, will depend upon your blood alcohol content (BAC):

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Once again, Arizona has proven to be one of the harshest in the country when it comes to DUI punishment, including mandatory jail time, steep fines and other penalties such as loss of driving privileges, possibility of ignition interlock requirements, possibility of increased insurance rates, along with other potential consequences. A recent study by Wallet Hub ranked Arizona number 1 in penalties for drunk driving and number 2 in DUI prevention efforts (https://wallethub.com/edu/dui-penalties-by-state/13549/). Along with some of the harshest penalties in the country, Arizona has implemented significant prevention efforts across the state. Police agencies in Mesa, and all across Arizona, partner together during holiday and other high traffic weekends to set up DUI task force checkpoints as a preventative measure and also to raise awareness amongst drivers. According to a recent article on azcentral.com, (http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2016/08/12/arizona-toughest-nation-dui-study-says/88636358/), DUI's accounted for 33 percent of the 811 total fatalities in Arizona in 2015, according to data from the Arizona Department of Transportation. At any given time, due to DUI checkpoints and overall DUI enforcement in Maricopa County, the Maricopa County Prosecutor's Vehicular Crimes Unit has an average of 715 Aggravated (felony) DUI cases spread amongst its 13 Vehicular Crimes prosecutors at any given time throughout the year. These numbers do not include the thousands of misdemeanor DUI cases prosecuted in AZ every year. While a 1st Time DUI is usually charged as a misdemeanor, there are certain factors that can cause a DUI to get charged as a felony, including:

  • Driver's license is suspended/canceled/revoked at the time of the DUI
  • A minor child under the age of 15 was in the car at the time of driving
  • This is a 3rd DUI within 84 months
  • The DUI occurred while the driver was required to have an ignition interlock device in the vehicle

The penalties for felony DUI cases are considerably harsher than penalties for misdemeanor DUI cases. The maximum penalty for a first time Aggravated DUI can include: 3.75 years in prison, a 3-year license revocation and a maximum fine of $150,000.00 plus 84% surcharge. The minimum penalty in these cases often requires: a mandatory minimum of 4 months in prison, up to 10 years of probation, a 3 year license revocation, $750.00 fine plus surcharge, $250.00 DUI abatement fund, $1,500 prison construction fee, $1,500.00 state general fund, and an ignition interlock device. The prison term can be increased to 8 months minimum if the person has a total of 3 or more prior DUI convictions in an 84 month period. An individual charged with felony DUI involving a child under 15 in the car, while possessing a valid driver's license, can see the jail penalties reduced to levels within the misdemeanor offense category. Also, one can apply for and obtain a restricted license while on probation. The remaining felony terms would still apply. More serious felony DUI cases, such as DUI cases involving serious injury or homicide have considerably harsher penalties of up to 15 years in prison for multiple felony DUI charges and up to 21 years in prison in DUI homicide cases. Every case is different and the penalties in each case will depend upon a variety of factors so it is advisable to consult with an experienced DUI attorney regarding the specific penalties you may be facing in your DUI case.

Mr. Buckallew is a Board Certified DUI and Criminal Law Specialist,having been certified by the Arizona State Bar, Board of Legal Specialization. This means that he has significant experience in the practice of both DUI and Criminal Defense. Mr. Buckallew personally handles each and every case himself which means you are guaranteed the expertise of a highly experienced DUI attorney from start to finish on your case. Mr. Buckallew focuses his practice on criminal and DUI defense and belongs to many professional organizations, including theNational College for DUI Defense, The American Academy of Forensic Science, and Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice. He was also named a Top 100 Trial Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers – 2012 & 2013. He has handled all types of DUI cases, ranging from DUI Homicide cases, Aggravated DUI, Felony DUI with Multiple Priors, 1st Time DUI, Underage DUI, Extreme DUI, Super Extreme DUI, and many others. Please contact the Firm today to consult with a Mesa Board Certified DUI Attorney regarding your Aggravated DUI case and to discuss your legal options.

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Arizona Revised Statute 28-1321(A) defines Arizona's implied consent law. Just like in many other states, drivers in Arizona as obligated to provide a certain level of cooperation when they are arrested for suspected drunk driving. Statute 28-1321(A) outlines what this cooperation should be in regard to the blood alcohol content (BAC) tests.

If a law enforcement officer has arrested you for reasonable suspicion of drunk driving, then you are legally required to take a blood, urine, or breathalyzer test to determine your BAC. These tests have to be taken within two hours from when you were driving. Breathalyzer tests can usually be taken right on the side of the road, but blood and urine tests need to be administered by a medical professional at a nearby hospital.

If a driver refuses to take a BAC test, they will face penalties:

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