The 4^th of July is a day for celebration involving many festivities, including watching fireworks, family BBQ’s, camping, boating, parades, baseball games and other patriotic activities. Given that July 4^th falls on a Friday this year, it is also a 3-day weekend for many and we wish all a very safe and happy 4^th of July weekend.

As with many other holiday weekends, AZ Law Enforcement will be out in full force around the state with DUI checkpoints and increased patrol in heavy traveled areas of the state. If you plan to enjoy alcoholic beverages this weekend, be sure to plan in advance for a designated driver, a cab ride, or alternate means of transportation to keep yourself and other drivers safe this weekend.

In the event you are cited for a DUI over the 4^th of July weekend – whether alcohol or drug related, or you receive an OUI while out boating on any of the many lakes surrounding the valley, or up north – the Firm is available to discuss the DUI/OUI court process, DUI penalties and most importantly – your legal options.

The Firm represents individuals with any type of DUI charge – felony or misdemeanor, including 1st Time DUI, Extreme DUI, Super Extreme DUI, Underage DUI, Aggravated DUI, DUI involving Accident/Injury/Homicide, DUI – Drugs, OUI (Operating a boat under the influence), and any other alcohol or drug related DUI violation. Mr. Buckallew has defended countless DUI cases throughout the State of Arizona over the course of his career, including most valley (and surrounding county) City/Municipal Courts, Justice Courts and Superior Courts. The Firm represents individuals in Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, Avondale and all other valley cities in Maricopa County, as well as throughout the State of Arizona. For more information on DUI defense strategies, penalties and potential MVD consequences, visit our DUI website here and contact the Firm for a free, no obligation consultation with a Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney.

Have a happy and safe 4^th of July!

**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.

According to recent news reports (CBS5), the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) will be ramping up their DUI patrols over Memorial Day Weekend in recreational areas around the valley. The Sheriff’s office has been granted funding from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), AZ Game and Fish and the U.S. Forest Service, enabling the department to perform saturation patrols over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend – one of the busiest drinking weekends of the year. The patrols will target some of the most popular recreational areas surrounding the valley, including Canyon Lake, Bartlett Lake, Saguaro Lake, Apache Lake, Lake Pleasant, the Verde River, Lower Salt River, other county parks and the Tonto National Forest.

Many of the arrests made by the MCSO over the past year include 849 misdemeanor DUI arrests, 1,362 Underage Consumption / Minor in Possession arrests, 94 felony Aggravated DUI arrests and 230 OUI – operating a watercraft under the influence arrests.

If you are charged with any type of misdemeanor alcohol violation at any of the lakes surrounding the valley, you will most likely be ordered to appear in either the Hassayampa Justice Court in Surprise, AZ (Northwest valley lakes) or the North Mesa Justice Court in Mesa, AZ (Northeast valley lakes). If you are charged with a felony alcohol violation, then your case will likely be handled in the Maricopa County Superior Court if you were within the boundaries of Maricopa County.

The Firm represents individuals in both misdemeanor and felony DUI and criminal cases throughout the valley, including cases in the Hassayampa Justice Court, the North Mesa Justice Court, the Maricopa County Superior Court and any other City Court, Justice Court or Superior Court in Maricopa County. Mr. Buckallew has extensive experience in litigating DUI charges, OUI charges, Underage Drinking charges, Minor in Possession violations, Minor in Consumption Violations and other related alcohol violations. He has a proven track record of successfully resolving countless cases for his clients over the course of his career.

Contact the Firm today for a free consultation regarding any pending criminal charges in Maricopa County or throughout the State of Arizona.

**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.

Phoenix is surrounded by scenic desert landscape and lakes, attracting thousands of visitors each year for boating, fishing, water skiing, swimming, camping and other recreational activities. Lake Pleasant is just north of Sun City and West Phoenix and offers marina facilities, campgrounds and an RV area. Saguaro Lake is just to the northeast of Phoenix and Scottsdale and is surrounded by magnificent canyon walls, offers boat rentals, picnic facilities and a restaurant. Heading northeast of Mesa and Apache Junction is Canyon Lake, which boasts amazing views and hiking trails along with excellent boating conditions. Further north along the Apache Trail is Apache Lake, surrounded by the Superstition Wilderness and offering some of the most picturesque views in Arizona. Lying above Apache Lake, and also the furthest lake from the Phoenix area is Roosevelt Lake, and is also one of the largest lakes in the area. Other popular Phoenix area lakes are Bartlett Lake and Horseshoe Lake, both offering excellent boating, fishing and beautiful scenery.

Because these lakes are such popular destinations for boaters, there is an increased likelihood of impairment in these areas, and as such, they are patrolled by Maricopa County Sheriff’s Lake Patrol Division, Arizona Game and Fish, and other police agencies, which enforce alcohol and other related violations. Some of the most common violations on the lakes are OUI related charges, or operating a motorized watercraft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. OUI charges and penalties are almost identical to DUI charges and are taken very seriously in the State of Arizona. Individuals will be charged with a regular OUI if the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 or more within two hours of operating the boat (or 0.04 or more if it is a commercial motorized watercraft). The penalties, upon conviction, can include no less than ten days in jail (may be suspended for a first violation upon successful completion of alcohol/drug screening and treatment program), $250 fine, community work service, $1000 in assessment fees, alcohol and/or drug screening and classes, and a criminal record. Subsequent OUI violations will result in increased exposure to jail time, fees/fines and other penalties. Additionally, if you are charged with Extreme OUI (BAC greater than 0.15 but less than 0.20) or Super Extreme OUI (BAC of 0.20 or more), the penalties become harsher, including the possibility of increased jail time and higher fees/fines. OUI charges are typically classified as misdemeanors but under certain circumstances, they can be charged as a felony, or Aggravated OUI charge. Some factors that could lead to felony charges include, 1) Third OUI within an 84-month period, and 2) Operating the boat while a person under 15 years of age is on board, and the driver recklessly endangers the minor child with a substantial risk of injury. The penalties will depend upon several factors, including BAC levels, prior OUI history, and other ‘aggravating circumstances’ such as boating accidents involving injuries.

If you have been ticketed for OUI or any other alcohol or drug related violation while boating, contact an experienced OUI & Criminal Defense Lawyer for a free evaluation of your case. Mr. Buckallew has represented numerous individuals in OUI, DUI and other alcohol related violations over the course of his career and has a proven track record of achieving successful resolution in countless cases over the years. The Firm represents individuals in courts throughout Maricopa County, including Phoenix, Mesa, Apache Junction, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, and other surrounding 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.