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.

Because the consequences of underage drinking violations and DUI offenses can be significant and leave a permanent mark on your criminal record, it is crucial to seek the advice of an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney to determine your legal options before you make any decisions regarding your case. Penalties associated with Underage Drinking and Underage DUI related violations can include, jail time, community work service, alcohol classes, license suspension, court fees and fines, and even possible suspension or expulsion from school and/or athletic teams and clubs. Some of the legal issues a defense attorney may explore include, determining whether you actually violated any city or state law; whether the arresting agency followed the law; whether or not your conduct actually constitutes a criminal violation and whether you have any other legal, factual or procedural defense(s) in your case.

The Firm has handled countless cases involving underage drinking, minor in possession, minor in consumption, furnishing alcohol to a minor, public intoxication, fake ID, as well as DUI/DWI cases and other alcohol related violations. Mr. Buckallew is a Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney and has a reputation for zealously representing each client and has a proven track record of success. With a statewide practice, the Firm handles cases in Florence – Pinal County, Maricopa County and throughout the State of Arizona. Contact the Firm today for a free evaluation of your 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.

Country Thunder is an annual weekend music festival held in Florence, AZ (Pinal County) drawing thousands of people from across the valley. In fact, this year’s event sold out for the first time in its 20-year history, reaching a capacity crowd of 25,000 patrons.

In years past, Underage Drinking has been a concern at this event, and last year 189 people were arrested for Underage Drinking and other related crimes. In many cases, underage drinkers were alleged to have had blood alcohol levels at more than twice the legal limit of .08 percent, and the youngest person arrested was 15 years old. In addition to Underage Drinking, citations also included violations of Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Using a Fake ID to buy Alcohol, and Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor.

According to recent reports during this year’s event, the Pinal County Sheriff’s office arrested a 20-year old man on suspicion of Disorderly Conduct and Aggravated Assault, after reports of a stabbing, leaving a 36-year old man in critical condition.

Aggravated Assault charges are taken very seriously in AZ and involve Assault cases where a weapon is used, where there is serious physical injury, when the Assault causes a fracture or temporary loss of use of a bodily organ or function, or if the victim is under 15 and the aggressor is over 18. If the offense involves any type of weapon or dangerous instrument (including a car) the Aggravated Assault will be alleged to be a “dangerous” crime which then means if a person is convicted the penalty is mandatory imprisonment, and the length of that prison sentence is enhanced as compared to a non-dangerous crime. “Dangerous” crimes are not probation eligible, but can become probation eligible if the “Dangerous” allegation is dismissed – a common strategy in plea negotiations.

Every case presents with unique facts, and consequently the sentencing range for Aggravated Assault charges can range anywhere from a designated misdemeanor offense (reduced from a felony) with no jail time all the way to mandatory prison up to 21 years for a first offense class 2 dangerous felony.

Click here for more information regarding Aggravated Assault charges and here for more information regarding Disorderly Conduct charges.

If you were charged with any type of criminal violation during the recent Country Thunder Event in Pinal County – including Underage Drinking, Minor in Possession, Disorderly Conduct, Aggravated Assault, or any other misdemeanor or felony charge – the Firm can help. Mr. Buckallew has handled countless cases in Pinal County Courts including Pinal County Superior Court, Apache Junction Justice Court, Casa Grande Justice Court, Maricopa Justice Court and other Courts throughout the county. Mr. Buckallew has a proven track record and a reputation for zealously representing each and every client. Mr. Buckallew has extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to defending both DUI and criminal charges and has successfully resolved countless cases over the years.

Contact the Firm today for a free evaluation of your 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.

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.

Arizona DUI task force patrols were in full force across the state over the 4^th of July holiday, nabbing drunken drivers. According to the director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Alberto Gutier, around 50 agencies participated in the patrols during the week of July 4^th. Included in the East Valley DUI task force were Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa and Chandler police departments, focusing on the eastern suburbs of metro Phoenix, including roads leading to Lake Pleasant.

According to local news reports, the statewide DUI task force led to 108 arrests, and 33 of those arrests were for extreme DUI, meaning the drivers blood-alcohol content (BAC) was between a .15 BAC (but less than .20 BAC).

If you have been charged with a DUI, the penalties can be significant and will depend upon many factors, including your blood alcohol content (BAC), prior history of DUI convictions, minor children in the car at the time of the DUI, involved in a car accident at the time of the DUI, or driving on a suspended/revoked driver’s license at the time of the stop. The penalties for a first time DUI can include jail time, fees and fines, possible probation, alcohol/drug screening and classes, community work service, SR22 insurance, and ignition interlock device. The penalties increase if your DUI involved other factors, as mentioned above. Given the harsh penalties resulting from DUI charges in the State of Arizona, it is important to seek legal advice and ensure you understand your options before making any decisions regarding your case.

The Firm handles all types of DUI cases including first time DUI, extreme DUI, ‘super’ extreme DUI, aggravated (felony) DUI – involving minor children in the car, or accident/injury related DUI, or DUI while driving on a suspended/revoked driver’s license. The Firm also handles other alcohol related violations including minor in possession/minor in consumption, furnishing alcohol to minors and underage DUI’s.

Please visit our DUI website: www.arizonaduidefenselawfirm.com

**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.

Tempe Underage Drinking Enforcement Campaign

According to recent reports by the AZ Republic, police have made 270 alcohol-related arrests as a result of Tempe’s Youth Alcohol Enforcement campaign targeting underage drinking and drunk driving. The Tempe Police Department, along with ASU Police and other state law enforcement agencies kicked off the campaign in an effort to reduce crimes often associated with alcohol and DUI violations, such as violence, disorderly conduct or disturbance of the peace (i.e. loud parties and gatherings) as well as injury or fatal auto collisions and other criminal violations. The crackdown included 184 underage drinking/minor in consumption arrests, 45 for possession of alcohol by a minor/minor in possession, nine for providing alcohol to minors, 17 DUI arrests, one aggravated DUI arrest, two DUI under 21 arrests, 22 loud party responses and the seizure of seven kegs. The enforcement campaign will conclude the first week of May, after ASU graduation ceremonies/parties and police will be highly visible in downtown Tempe and patrolling throughout the city during this time.

If you (or your child) have been charged with Underage Drinking, Minor in Possession/Minor in Consumption of Alcohol, Public Intoxication, False ID, DUI, Disorderly Conduct / Disturbing the Peace or any other violation related to Underage Drinking, you may be able to defend these charges in court. The consequences can be significant and leave a permanent mark on your criminal record so it is critical to seek the advice of counsel to determine your legal options before you make any decisions regarding your case. Penalties associated with Underage Drinking/Underage DUI related violations can include, jail time, community work service, alcohol classes and treatment, license suspension, fees/fines, and even possible suspension or expulsion from school and/or athletic teams. Some of the legal factors a defense attorney will explore include, determining whether you actually violated any city or state law; whether the arresting agency followed the law; whether or not your conduct constitutes a criminal violation and whether you have any other legal, factual or procedural defense(s) in your case. With a strong East Valley presence, the Firm has represented countless individuals, including many ASU students, who have been charged with criminal misdemeanor and alcohol related violations in Tempe and surrounding cities throughout the Valley. Contact the Firm today for a free evaluation of your 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.

Underage Drinking Arrests at Country Thunder

Country Thunder is an annual event held at Canyon Moon Ranch just east of Florence (Pinal County) – centrally located between Phoenix and Tucson. According to local news outlets (CBS5/AP), 189 people were arrested at this month’s Country Thunder music festival for underage drinking-related crimes. The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control officers worked with local law enforcement during the 4 day event as a result of ongoing problems at this event in years past. According to Liquor Control officers, many of the arrested underage drinkers had blood-alcohol levels more than twice the legal limit of .08 percent and the youngest person arrested was 15 years old. The violations for those arrested included, minor in possession of alcohol, using a fake ID to buy alcohol, or furnishing alcohol to a minor.

If you were arrested by the AZ Dept. of Liquor License/Control, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Florence Police Department, or any other agency during Country Thunder, contact the Firm to arrange a free consultation regarding your case. Depending on the agency you were arrested by, your case will likely be heard in the Florence Justice Court – Precinct 1 in Florence, AZ. The consequences can be significant and leave a permanent mark on your criminal record so it is critical to seek the advice of counsel to determine your legal options before you make any decisions regarding your case. Penalties associated with Underage Drinking/Underage DUI related violations can include, jail time, community work service, alcohol classes and treatment, license suspension, fees/fines, and even possible suspension or expulsion from school and/or athletic teams. Some of the legal factors a defense attorney will explore include, determining whether you actually violated any city or state law; whether the arresting agency followed the law; whether or not your conduct constitutes a criminal violation and whether you have any other legal, factual or procedural defense(s) in your case.

The Firm has handled countless cases involving underage drinking, minor in possession/minor in consumption, furnishing alcohol to a minor, public intoxication, fake ID, as well as DUI/DWI cases and other alcohol related violations. Mr. Buckallew has a reputation for zealously representing each client and has a proven track record in successfully resolving cases. With a statewide practice, the Firm handles cases in Florence – Pinal County, Maricopa County and throughout the State of Arizona. Contact the Firm today for a free evaluation of your 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.