With a DUI, there are actually two trials. You will need to attend a court hearing regarding your offense. If proven guilty, the judge has the right to sentence you to jail time, prison time, community service, probation, etc. You will then need to attend a MVD hearing regarding your crime. This hearing only concerns your ability to drive. You will need to give reasons why you have the right to keep your license, and then argue for this in the hearing. You can bring a lawyer with you to this appointment, if you have located an attorney that is willing to represent you. Mr. Buckallew is more than willing to help you with your cases and to attend all hearings regarding your crime and your license suspension.

With over 13 years of experience, Mr. Buckallew knows what he is doing. He is licensed to practice law all throughout the state of Arizona, which means that he can serve clients that are located just about anywhere within the state. He serves the residents of Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, and all of the East Valley on a regular basis when they are caught in a difficult DUI situation. Mr. Buckallew has a passion for knowledge, which is why he attended Arizona State University to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies. Immediately upon graduation, he sought higher education at the California Western School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor.

Five years later, Mr. Buckallew graduated from National University with a Masters in Forensic Science. This addition degree sets him apart from the rest. In an abundance of DUI cases, forensics come into play. Investigators need to determine that the driver’s BAC was above 0.08 percent, or may need to check the suspect from drugs to see if he was under the influence of narcotics while behind the wheel. With Mr. Buckallew’s respected knowledge in forensic studies on your side, you will have a better chance at proving innocence.

Mr. Buckallew is a proud member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the National College of DUI Defense. He is also a member of the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice association, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has even written an eBook called Arizona DUI/Criminal Traffic Defense so that he can share his knowledge with others who need information about DUI litigation. If you sign up and provide your name and e-mail address on Trent Buckallew’s website, then you can receive a copy of this publication free of charge.

Mr. Buckallew understands that when you were arrested for your DUI, you may have been terrified and unaware of what to do. As a result, maybe you tried to leave the scene of an accident, or refused a blood or breath test. If you are in this situation, Mr. Buckallew can help. He is also excellent when it comes to handling DUI cases where injury is involved and DUI’s that involve a minor. When you are dealing with a case like this, some people may tell you that you can handle the allegations on your own. This is not true. It often takes an expert attorney with years of experience to come alongside you and prove that your case is not sound. Whether you are fighting to avoid an ignition interlock device, or are trying to avoid a suspended driver’s license, you need a Phoenix DUI lawyer. Coming to court without one is like fighting a battle without a weapon. Mr. Buckallew is also a member of the American Psychology-Law Society and is in Division 41 of the American Psychological Association. He has completed the advanced trial skills academy at the Institute for Criminal Defense Advocacy so that he can better round out his set of talents in DUI defense.

Mr. Buckallew was featured as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in The National Trial Lawyers for 2012, which is a high honor that only goes to the best attorneys in the state. On Avvo, Mr. Buckallew is rated with a 7.8/10. This is a “very good” rating which shows that Attorney Buckallew is endorsed not only by his colleagues but by his clients. Read more of his client testimonials here or click here to read the testimonials posted on Avvo. Check out the firm’s Google+ page, Facebook, and Twitter if you want more information and would like regular news updates concerning what is going on in DUI law in Arizona. The firm also keeps a regular blog where attorneys and staff will write about current DUI arrests in the state or new law changes to make note of.

Mr. Buckallew is always up to date on what is going on in the law. This means that he is trustworthy when it comes to giving legal advice. Mr. Buckallew has even been asked to speak at the APDA Statewide Conference because of his helpful wealth of information. You can hear from Mr. Buckallew yourself by clicking on our video vault. Attorney Buckallew is not daunted by the seriousness of an aggravated DUI, extreme DUI, or super extreme DUI. He wants to help anyone in need and will take your case personally. To obtain advocacy from Mr. Buckallew, you can call our office at (602) 825-3300. We offer free initial consultations to all our clients.

If you have been charged with a DUI in the Tempe, AZ or surrounding areas, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced Tempe DUI attorney as soon as possible after being stopped by law enforcement. By doing so, your attorney can guide you through the arrest process and help ensure your rights are protected, including your right to secure an independent alcohol test. As part of its DUI investigation, a police officer may conduct various tests to determine impairment, including field sobriety testing (FST) as well as utilizing a portable breath machine on scene to measure your blood alcohol content (BAC). It is important to understand that if you are arrested for DUI/DWI, you have the right to secure your own independent alcohol test and the police must make reasonable efforts to facilitate this request. While the state has no obligation to gather evidence for a suspect, it must allow a fair opportunity for the suspect to gather potentially exculpatory evidence and to affirmatively advise the suspect of their right to do so in cases where the police are not obtaining a blood sample by way of implied consent. Keep in mind, if you are going to get an independent sample (at a nearby hospital or doctor’s office), you will need to get this done as soon as possible after your arrest, and at your own expense. As with most decisions that will need to be made during the course of your DUI court proceedings, there are benefits and challenges to requesting an independent blood test and it is ideal to consult with an attorney prior to making this and other decisions regarding your DUI case.

A DUI conviction can result in significant consequences, including steep fees and fines, possible incarceration, probation, ignition interlock requirements, alcohol treatment classes and other long lasting consequences, including a criminal record and the potential for increased insurance rates. Other challenges an individual may face as a result of a DUI arrest may include loss of driving privileges for a certain amount of time which can cause significant hardship to those who rely on transportation for commuting to and from work, school or fulfilling other obligations in life. DUI litigation is a complex area of law and there are many different aspects an attorney will want to address when challenging state’s evidence, which can include the police report, results from any field sobriety testing (FST) that may have been performed during the DUI investigation, and also the results of any bodily fluids (such as blood or urine) that may have been taken to determine blood alcohol content (BAC) levels. Attorney Trent Buckallew has significant experience in litigating DUI matters in the City Tempe and throughout the State of Arizona, from first time DUI’s to very serious and complex Aggravated DUI cases. He has a proven track record of success and a reputation for vigorously defending each and every client in court. To keep well informed of the complex area of DUI law, Mr. Buckallew also belongs to many professional DUI organizations such as the National College for DUI Defense, and has also recently been elected as a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Attorney for 2012.

Contact the firm today for a free case evaluation if you or a loved one has been charge with DUI in the City of Tempe, or surrounding areas, including Phoenix, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Queen Creek.

**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.

While many DUI charges are classified as misdemeanors in the State of Arizona, there are certain circumstances when DUI charges may be classified as a felony, or ‘Aggravated DUI’. If your case was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, or any other County Superior Court, then it is likely being charged as a felony. Misdemeanor DUI cases are generally filed in City/Municipal Courts or Justice Courts. The primary factors in felony Aggravated DUI charges include:

• Driving on a restricted, suspended or revoked license at the time of the DUI (Class 4 Felony)
• Driving with a minor child (under the age of 15) in the car at the time of the DUI (Class 6 Felony)
• Two prior DUI/DWI/OUI convictions (in any state) within the past 84 months (Class 4 Felony)
• If you are required to equip your vehicle with an ignition interlock device at the time of the DUI (Class 4 Felony)

While misdemeanor DUI charges are not taken lightly in Arizona, Aggravated DUI cases are considerably more serious and as such, result in much harsher penalties. The jail or prison terms follow the statutory requirements for Misdemeanor DUI charges – regular DUI, Extreme DUI and Super Extreme DUI, and with no prior felony convictions, the range for an Aggravated DUI (Class 6 Felony) with a minor child in the car is a minimum of 1 day in jail up to a maximum of 2 years in the department of corrections (prison). Additionally, the court fees and fines are nearly $5,000, license is revoked for 1-year (with possibility for restricted driving), up to 10 years’ probation (plus probation fees), alcohol screening and classes (plus cost of screening/classes), community work service, possible SR22 insurance, 1-2 year ignition interlock, depending on BAC level (plus cost to rent device), Victim Impact Panel (MADD), and a felony record (which is forever allegeable). The jail or prison term for an Aggravated DUI (Class 4 Felony)with no prior felony convictions is a minimum of 4 months (which can be reduced to 24 days if eligible for Continuous Alcohol Monitoring Program) and up to a maximum of 3.75 years in the department of corrections. Additional penalties include court fees and fines of nearly $5,000, a 1-year license revocation, probation up to 10-years (plus probation fees), alcohol screening and classes (plus cost of screening/classes), community work service, possible SR22 insurance, 2-years ignition interlock device (plus cost to rent device), Victim Impact Panel (MADD), and a felony record (which is forever allegeable).

Given the serious, costly, and long-term impact of a felony Aggravated DUI conviction, it is critical to seek the advice of experienced DUI counsel before making any decisions in your case. Mr. Buckallew has extensive experience litigating DUI cases, including very serious and complex felony DUI charges, and has a proven track record of successfully resolving countless DUI cases over the course of his career. The Firm handles cases in East Valley Cities, including Scottsdale, Tempe, Gilbert, Mesa, Paradise Valley and Queen Creek, as well as Phoenix, West Valley Cities, throughout Maricopa County and Statewide.

Contact the Firm today for a free evaluation of your felony Aggravated DUI or any other 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.