Phoenix Arizona Criminal Law Blog

DUI charges during Labor Day weekend

On behalf of Burges McCowan PLC posted in drunk driving on Friday, August 10, 2018.

People face DUI charges at all times of year, but some occasions are especially likely to result in these allegations, such as holidays. With Labor Day weekend coming up, it is important to be aware of this matter and stay off of the road if you have had too much to drink. However, many people will likely find themselves pulled over and accused of this offense during the holiday weekend and in the event that DUI charges arise, it is essential for those who are facing charges to have a clear idea of their options.

Holidays can be especially difficult when it comes to drunk driving for a variety of reasons. For starters, many people have a few drinks at a family party or a celebration with their friends. These drinks may seem harmless, but when they put a driver’s blood alcohol content level over the legal limit they can be extremely problematic.

White collar crime allegations and your reputation

On behalf of Burges McCowan PLC posted in white collar crimes on Friday, August 3, 2018.

The potential consequences of white collar crime charges are not to be taken lightly. People in this position who are unable to secure a favorable outcome in court may face hefty financial penalties and time behind bars. Furthermore, when someone is simply accused of an offense their life may be turned upside down due to the accusations, regardless of whether or not they have any truth. If you have recently been accused of a white collar offense and have no idea how this could affect your future or if you are already in the middle of a case, it is crucial to move ahead carefully and protect your future to the best of your ability.

Unfortunately, these allegations have a harsh stigma and those who are accused of a white collar offense may feel very humiliated, even if they are innocent. For example, some of their friends and co-workers may look at them differently due to the accusations. Furthermore, the career damage brought on by these accusations can be tremendous, even if someone is ultimately found innocent. Sometimes, the damage to a person's reputation can last for years and someone who has experienced this challenge may have a harder time finding work in a certain field or be completely unemployable altogether.

Drug possession charges over prescription medication

On behalf of Burges McCowan PLC posted in drug possession on Saturday, July 28, 2018.

From heroin to cocaine and other substances, most people realize the serious nature of being charged with possessing unlawful street drugs. However, it is important to be aware that people may find themselves accused of this offense if they are caught with prescription medication, in some instances. For example, those who do not have a prescription for a certain type of prescription drug may find themselves in court for possession and they may also face harsh penalties that shatter their life. Furthermore, the possession of prescription drugs without a prescription has become increasingly widespread in recent years.

People use prescription medication for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes, a person may use a prescription painkiller due to intense pain they are experiencing, even though they do not have a prescription. Anti-anxiety medication and many other types of prescription drugs can also lead to these charges. Some people may assume that because these drugs are widely prescribed by medical professionals, the consequences associated with the unlawful possession of a drug will be less severe. Or, someone may think that they will not be charged with drug possession altogether because they have a genuine need for the drug. However, this is not always the case.

How common is underage drunk driving?

On behalf of Burges McCowan PLC posted in drunk driving on Friday, July 20, 2018.

Many people realize the different ways that drunk driving charges can shatter a person’s life, whether they experience problems in the workplace or at home. Prison time, financial penalties, the loss of driving privileges and other consequences can make life very difficult on a daily basis for those who have been charged with DUI. However, some people can face a particularly challenging time when they are charged with driving under the influence, such as those who are under the age of 21. Moreover, underage drunk driving occurs more frequently than some parents may be aware of.

According to material provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a survey that was taken in 2015 found that in the past 30 days, eight percent of high school students who were interviewed had driven after drinking alcohol. Furthermore, 20 percent had ridden in a car with a driver who was under the influence of alcohol during the past month.

Drug trafficking charges involving prescription medication

On behalf of Burges McCowan PLC posted in drug trafficking on Friday, July 13, 2018.

All drug-related charges have the potential to bring serious consequences for those who have been accused of breaking the law, but some can be especially severe. For example, the consequences associated with drug trafficking charges may be much more significant than those which come with drug possession charges. Moreover, when some people think of drug trafficking, they may envision street drugs that have been manufactured in a developing country and secretly transported into the U.S. However, these charges may also arise over prescription medications.

From prescription sleeping pills to pain medication, there are a number of prescription medications that are distributed illegally. Some people may not realize that their behavior constitutes drug trafficking, assuming that the consequences associated with these drugs are less severe than those associated with other substances such as heroin and cocaine. However, people who have been charged with trafficking prescription medications may face life-changing consequences that completely devastate their lives, from time behind bars to stiff financial penalties.

When your child is charged with drug trafficking

On behalf of Burges McCowan PLC posted in drug trafficking on Monday, July 9, 2018.

For most parents, finding out that their child is charged with any type of drug crime can be terrifying, even relatively minor charges such as possession of drug paraphernalia. However, certain offenses can be especially upsetting, such as drug trafficking. If your child has been accused of this offense, you may be worried about being unable to spend time with them while they are behind bars and you could also have concerns related to their future. This is an extremely concerning situation for parents and their children and it is pivotal for you to handle these charges properly.

It may be helpful to try to reassure your child that you love them and are doing all you can to protect their future. However, their ability to succeed in life may be seriously threatened by these charges and it is vital to make sure that you have done all you can to help defend them. There are all sorts of details to take into consideration with respect to drug trafficking allegations and as with other drug crime cases, these details may have a major impact on a court's decision.

Other consequences associated with drug trafficking charges

On behalf of Burges McCowan PLC posted in drug trafficking on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

On our blog, we have gone into detail on some of the consequences that people may face when they are charged with drug trafficking, from issues related to one's college education to the loss of a job. However, there are many other ways in which those charged with this offense may have their lives upended and we will look into some in this blog post. For people in Phoenix, and across all of Arizona, it is crucial to know which options are on the table when these charges arise.

Drug trafficking charges should never be taken lightly and people facing these serious charges may be sentenced to prison, which can disrupt their life in all sorts of ways. Business ventures, relationships and careers can be thrown off-course when someone is behind bars. There are other issues that can arise also, such as the negative impact drug trafficking charges can have on a parent who is in the middle of a dispute over the custody of their child. Moreover, the financial penalties associated with these charges can be devastating as well.

Facing drug possession charges as a minor

On behalf of Burges McCowan PLC posted in drug possession on Friday, June 22, 2018.

When someone is charged with drug possession, their life may be flipped upside down in all sorts of ways, as we have discussed on this blog. However, there are certain challenges that are unique to certain age groups and people in certain positions. For example, a young person who is charged with drug possession may face problems with their family members once they find out about the charges. Moreover, other difficulties could arise down the road, such as problems for those who are thinking about attending college and taking out student loans to fund their education.

Aside from college, someone in high school may find that drug possession charges interfere with their performance in school for various reasons. On top of financial penalties and family-related problems, some young people in this position may be incredibly stressed out, making it hard for them to focus in the classroom. Sometimes, teens are falsely accused of drug possession and this may occur in different ways. In some instances, drugs may be planted on a young person by one of their "friends" who wants to bring them down. Or, a person may face these charges because someone left behind an illegal substance in their vehicle and they were not aware of the presence of illegal drugs, which can become a serious problem if the car is searched by a law enforcement official.

Know what to expect at an Arizona DUI checkpoint

On behalf of Burges McCowan PLC on Friday, June 22, 2018.

Let's say you're driving on an Arizona roadway when, suddenly, you notice flashing police car lights up ahead. You first assume there must have been an accident but soon realize that doesn't seem to be the case. You notice a long line of cars and police officers approaching people's driver side windows. You've heard of DUI checkpoints in the past but have never encountered one, until now. You immediately grow nervous because you had a glass of wine an hour or so earlier while dining out with friends.

Police roadblocks have been subject to much debate in Arizona and throughout the nation. The U.S. Supreme court ruled that DUI checkpoints do not violate our Fourth Amendment rights, which protect us from unreasonable search and seizure. Since the high court says it's okay for cops to set up roadblocks in the hope of catching drunk drivers in the act, the more you know about these checkpoints ahead of time, the better, as well as what to do if a problem arises.

DUI charges as a motorcyclist

On behalf of Burges McCowan PLC posted in drunk driving on Saturday, June 16, 2018.

When some people envision someone being pulled over for drunk driving, they may picture someone driving a passenger vehicle such as a car or pickup truck. In fact, some people may not even realize that the same drunk driving laws apply to motorcyclists as well. It is important to keep in mind that many motorcyclists have been charged with driving under the influence and the consequences of these allegations can be very damaging. Moreover, there are a number of things that motorcyclists should take into consideration if they are accused of driving under the influence.

There are a variety of factors to consider when it comes to motorcyclists and DUI cases. For example, some motorcyclists may be pulled over because they appear to be driving under the influence, even though they may not be very familiar with how to operate a motorcycle or they may have drawn attention to themselves for another reason. The penalties for drunk driving while operating a motorcycle can be very disruptive with regard to your life, both in the present and in the future. You may have a hard time finding work, lose the ability to ride your motorcycle for a period of time or even be sent to prison, among other consequences.