If you are facing criminal charges in Phoenix, a Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney with this Firm offers a free, no obligation evaluation of your case. Mr. Buckallew has focused his practice primarily on criminal and DUI defense, representing countless individuals in Phoenix and throughout the State of Arizona for over the course of his career. The Firm has defended a wide range of criminal cases, from Disorderly Conduct and Domestic Violence cases to DUI cases all the way up to First Degree Murder cases. Mr. Buckallew has handled countless cases in the Phoenix courts – both the Phoenix Municipal Court (misdemeanor criminal/misdemeanor DUI) and the Maricopa County Superior Court (felony criminal/felony DUI). The Firm also represents individuals in the Maricopa County Justice Courts located in Phoenix, including the Arcadia Biltmore Justice Court, Desert Ridge Justice Court, Downtown Justice Court, Encanto Justice Court, Dreamy Draw Justice Court, Maryvale Justice Court, McDowell Mountain Justice Court, Moon Valley Justice Court, South Mountain Justice Court, and the West McDowell Justice Court (misdemeanor criminal/misdemeanor DUI). In addition to criminal and DUI cases, Mr. Buckallew also represents plaintiffs or defendants in Injunction Against Harassment/Order of Protection proceedings as well as Interfering with Judicial Proceedings cases.

If you are charged with a DUI in Phoenix, it is critical to seek competent legal counsel as these cases can result in significant fees/fines, potential for incarceration, increased insurance premiums, college/career repercussions, possible suspended or revoked driver’s license, possible probation, and the possibility of ignition interlock requirements and alcohol classes. DUI litigation requires knowledge in both criminal defense as well as a thorough understanding of the scientific evidence (blood, breath, etc.) and Mr. Buckallew has significant experience in both of these areas. With his Law Degree and continuing legal education along with his Master’s Degree in Forensic Science, Mr. Buckallew understands both the science behind the evidence as well as the potential legal defenses inherent in DUI cases. He has handled all types of DUI cases including (but not limited to), 1st Time DUI, DUI Involving an Accident, Underage DUI, Extreme DUI, Super Extreme DUI, Aggravated DUI, DUI with Multiple Priors, DUI Involving Homicide (or Injury), and DUI – Drugs. He has achieved successful outcomes for countless clients over the years, including full case dismissals, not guilty jury trial verdicts, favorable plea agreements, and aggressively defends each and every case he handles.

Mr. Buckallew has also handled a wide range of criminal cases – both misdemeanor and felony, including (but not limited to), Assault, Domestic Violence, Drug Possession, Drug Sales, Drug Crimes, Juvenile Crimes, Shoplifting, Misconduct Involving Weapons, Theft Crimes, White Collar Crimes, Minor in Possession, Minor in Consumption, Burglary, Reckless Driving, Disorderly Conduct, Violation of Restraining Orders, Prostitution, Sex Crimes, Homicide and Murder. He has a track record for zealously defending each and every client and has achieved successful outcomes in countless cases over the course of his career.

Contact the Firm today for a free case evaluation if you have a criminal or DUI charge in Phoenix.

**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.

The Apache Junction Justice Court is in Pinal County and located at 575 North Idaho Road, in Apache Junction, AZ. This court covers the San Tan Valley, Gold Canyon and Apache Junction. According to the court’s website, the Apache Junction Justice Court ranks at number 17 out of 80 Justice Courts in Arizona for total case filings in 2011. There were just over 2,000 misdemeanor case filings, which included 410 DUI case filings, 76 serious traffic case filings and a variety of other non-DUI criminal filings. There were also close to 700 Orders of Protection and Injunctions against Harassment filed last year.

If you have been issued a misdemeanor DUI or criminal traffic citation or received a summons by mail for a misdemeanor incident occurring in the San Tan Valley, Gold Canyon, or Apache Junction, you will most likely be required to appear in Apache Junction Justice Court.

The Firm represents individuals charged with any criminal violation in the Apache Junction Justice Court, including (but not limited to), 1st Time DUI, Extreme DUI, Disorderly Conduct, Domestic Violence, Assault, Drug Crimes, Juvenile Crimes, Theft, Shoplifting, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor, Probation Violation, Interfering with Judicial Proceedings, and any other criminal charge.

The Firm also represents individuals regarding any Order of Protection or Injunction against Harrasment matters, including hearings seeking to quash these orders. This Firm can represent either a Plaintiff or Defendant seeking representation during any court proceedings requested by either party. The Firm also represents individuals facing criminal charges resulting from allegations of violating a Protective Order or Interfering with Judicial Proceedings (Class 1 Misdemeanor), or any other domestic violence crime. Click here for additional information regarding Orders of Protection and Injunctions against Harrassment.

Mr. Buckallew has extensive experience in resolving all types of criminal and DUI cases, ranging from 1^st Time Misdemeanor DUI cases to very serious and complex Felony cases. He dedicates his practice to the defense of Criminal and DUI charges and is committed to zealously representing each and every client to ensure each case is resolved under the best terms possible. Mr. Buckallew has had a wide range of victories in both criminal and DUI cases, including trial acquittals, dismissals (on defense motions), reduction in charges, and other favorable outcomes. Mr. Buckallew was recently elected as a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Attorney for 2012. He belongs to many professional DUI and Criminal Defense organizations, such at Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, in order to keep informed of changing laws and best practices in the industry. We encourage you to arrange a time to meet with the attorney to discuss your legal options and determine the best course of action in resolving your criminal or DUI case.

**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.

Are ‘Bath Salts’ Illegal in Arizona?

According to a recent article by Arizona State University’s State Press, Arizona Senate and House Bills were recently signed into law by Governor Brewer, making the “creation, sale and use” of chemicals used in making Bath Salts illegal in the State of Arizona. These designer drugs have become increasingly sought-after given the widespread availability and access to these drugs, the ease in which they can be made, and the belief that the affects mimic those of methamphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine. One of the growing concerns is that it is easy to circumvent existing laws against these types of drugs – Bath Salts (other common names include Blue Silk, Cloud 9, Drone, Stardust, Vanilla Sky, and White Lightning), Spices, and other similar drugs, by substituting one or more of the ‘banned’ ingredients. Some of the reported effects after ingesting these kinds of drugs have included nausea, paranioa, elevated heart rate, irritability, aggressive and violent behavior, hallucinations, seizures, and perspiration which can lead to individuals removing their clothing and subsequently being found naked after using Bath Salts. Local news reports also cite an addiction specialist at a drug and alcohol rehab center in Scottsdale who has indicated that addiction to bath salts has increased over 200 percent in the past 6 months. U.S. Poison Control Centers have also reported a massive increase in the number of Bath Salts related calls received, with zero reports in 2009, 302 reports in 2010 and 4,000 reports in 2011, according to a news release by the City of Tucson Police Department.

According to the Phoenix New Times, the Tempe Police Department has reported multiple allegations recently of individuals affected by Bath Salts. In one instance, a 23-year old was allegedly found slamming himself against walls and then running nude through a Tempe neighborhood after admitting to ingesting Bath Salts. In another incident, a 21-year old crashed his truck in a parking garage of an apartment complex near Arizona State University. According to witnesses, the individual was fully naked when he got out of his vehicle, and later admitted to police that he had taken Bath Salts. According to court documents, this individual – an ASU student, now has a DUI charge pending against him. In the third instance, an 18-year old was found in the bathroom at a local coffee shop in Tempe, allegedly barricading himself in the bathroom and when entry was gained by Tempe Police, he was said to be completely naked, acting delusional and claimed he was being eaten alive by bugs. Police say he is facing a criminal damage charge as the bathroom was allegedly “trashed” with broken mirrors and covered with “quite a bit of blood”. There was also a recent case where Tempe Police pulled a naked man out of Tempe Town Lake and another report of a carjacking in Scottsdale by a naked man – both allegedly under the effects of Bath Salts.

The manufacture, sale and use of Bath Salts has been banned both on local and state levels here in Arizona, as well as at the federal level. Resulting charges from using, selling, or manufacturing Bath Salts, or any other illegal drugs, can include Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Drug Possession, Drug Use or Drug Sales, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Damage, Assault, and other criminal violations. Being arrested for Bath Salts or other drug violations can have a significant and long lasting impact on your life as you could be facing felony or misdemeanor drug charges which can result in harsh consequences. Prison, jail, fees, fines, probation, a criminal record, and other harsh penalties can be levied against those convicted of drug crimes involving Bath Salts and other illegal drugs. Hiring an attorney familiar with Bath Salts cases may increase your chances of avoiding the significant penalties often associated with these types of drug convictions. The Law Offices of Trent R. Buckallew, PC is committed to focusing on your case, launching an aggressive defense on your behalf, and working towards the most favorable outcome possible in your case. Contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately if you are facing Bath Salts or other types of drug charges in Tempe, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Phoenix, West Valley Cities, or other surrounding areas.

**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.

New South Court Tower in Phoenix

The long awaited Maricopa County Superior Court South Court Tower is now open, having held its grand opening on the day of Arizona’s centennial celebration – February 14, 2012. The new court tower is located at 175 West Madison Street in Downtown Phoenix, just south of the main courthouse on Jefferson, with a skywalk connecting the two courthouses. The downtown Superior Court has been bursting at the seams for several years, as many criminal court Judges have been relocated from the Maricopa County South East Facility to the downtown facility in the past couple of years, as well as the simple fact that criminal cases have increased significantly in Maricopa County in the past decade.

The new 16-story South Court Tower currently has 22 courtrooms, houses the jury assembly area on the 1^st floor and Clerk of the Court Criminal Exhibits on the 4^th floor, along with Grand Jury Services. The offices of the County Attorney, Public Defender and Probation Department are located on the 2^nd and 3^rd Floors along with criminal courtrooms, including the Regional Court Center (RCC) and Early Disposition Court (EDC).

The downtown criminal courts in both the new South Court Tower, as well as the old East and Central Court Towers service all felony criminal filings from agencies in Phoenix and the West Valley (including Glendale, Avondale, Buckeye, Surprise, Peoria, Anthem, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Gila Bend, Gila River Indian Community, El Mirage, New River, Sun City, Tolleson, Wickenburg and Youngtown). The downtown criminal courts also service all East Valley criminal cases during the Pre-Trial/Trial phases of those cases if they are not resolved in the Southeast Facility Regional Court Center (RCC)/Early Disposition Court (EDC).

The Firm represents individuals with pending felony cases, probation violations, and appeals in the Maricopa County Superior Courts, including the Downtown Phoenix Court Towers as well as the Southeast Facility in Mesa. The Firm handles all types of complex felony cases, including (but not limited to) Homicide, Aggravated DUI/DWI cases, Felony Drug Offenses, Aggravated Assault and other dangerous crimes, serious Sex Crimes cases, Property Crimes, White Collar Crimes, Probation and Parole Violations and many others. Mr. Buckallew has extensive experience as a criminal defense attorney and has a reputation for zealously defending each and every one of his clients. If you have been charged with a felony crime in Maricopa County, contact the Firm today for a free evaluation of our case.

**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.