Misdemeanors in Federal Courts

For those of us who live near or spend our some of our vacation time in these Western States, dominated by beautiful federally-controlled lands and enclaves —millions and millions of acres of National Forests, National Parks, National Recreation Areas, National Wildlife Refuges, to name a few– some of us have had close encounters, not with Grizzly Bears or ravenous packs of Coatimundis, but with the occasional lone straw- hatted bi-ped, suited in green, badged and armed, spilling copious carbon emissions from the tailpipe of his idling green truck, and wielding his little ticket book.

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What is Prosecutorial Stacking of Charges?

In Arizona, repeat felony offenders face harsher sentencing guidelines than first-time offenders. When prosecutors “stack” charges, defendants can be sentenced as repeat offenders even if the defendant has no prior convictions. Under current guidelines, as long as a prosecutor can prove that crimes were committed on separate occasions, the crimes can be prosecuted in the same trial but for the second and subsequent offenses, the defendant is sentenced as a repeat offender.

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When Does Offensive Conduct Cross the Line to Disorderly Conduct?

Almost any kind of intentionally loud and disruptive behavior could be construed as criminal disorderly conduct, and a disorderly conduct charge can happen to anyone who gets a bit rowdy, especially when alcohol is involved.

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UofA: Fake ID’S, Criminal Justice, and Consequences

Many of you who are under twenty-one may have questions about what happens if you get caught with a fake ID at the University of Arizona I have a few observations and suggestions.

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The Ambien Defense-Five Important Things To Know

The so-called “Ambien defense”, while not new, has been in the headlines recently because Roseanne Barr blamed the drug for her racist tweets. The pharmaceutical company that makes Ambien responded by tweeting, “While all pharmaceutical treatments have side effects, racism is not a known side effect of any Sanofi medication.

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University of Arizona Students: A Quick Guide to Common Criminal Arrests & Citations

Classes just started on Tuesday, three days ago, and already we have received calls from students and parents. Here’s a quick guide to common University of Arizona citations and arrests, especially for undergraduates, based on our many years experience representing students.

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Drug Paraphernalia Charges In Arizona

In Arizona, drug paraphernalia is a broad term used to describe a vast array of objects that can be used for growing, harvesting, manufacturing, testing, storing, containing, or concealing an illegal drug or used for injecting, or ingesting an illegal drug into the human body.

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How to Protect Your Professional Futures

Law students and medical students are like everyone else, albeit, under extraordinary stress. Some tend to drink and do things that undergraduate students do. However, once they get charged, even with misdemeanors related to alcohol and drugs, there can be special professional consequences. If you are currently enrolled in or aspiring to go to law school or medical school, there are several things about which you should be aware.

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Students: How a Small Crime Could Affect You the Rest of Your Life

Facing tough penalties will not be the only worry for a student or young professional who has a drug conviction. Your college life and present/future career could be placed at surprising risk. For students, a misdemeanor drug conviction could affect your college life

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Students: How a Small Crime Could Affect you the Rest of Your Life

This blog series, first and foremost, serves as an alert to you, a warning of sorts. Have fun, but be cautious and try to think before you act.  Most common crimes I have dealt with include marijuana possession, fake IDs, alcohol, and driving offenses such as DUI, occasionally shoplifting, and unfortunately but all too often, assault or domestic violence, which almost always involves alcohol.

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