Over the past two years, the sheriff has received much criticism for his approach to law enforcement. He considers it his job to stop illegal immigrants in his communities and has directed law enforcement to stop people for nearly any violation if suspected of being in Arizona illegally.

The problem is that the people his department is arresting are rarely guilty of any violent crime, but are still taking resources away from fighting violent crime. Critics point to budget cuts and wonder why the Sheriff insists on continuing the immigration sweeps when there are more serious matters at hand.

This article from The Arizona Republic states that of the 932 arrests his deputies made since March 2008, 708 were people suspected of being in the country illegally. One has to wonder how many U.S. citizens guilty of crimes have been allowed to go free because the deputies are focusing all of their attention on the immigrants (who are typically picked up for offenses like driving without a license).

Immigration is a touchy subject in this country and no doubt one that needs reforming. There is little agreement on the best way to do this, however, and Arizona seems to have taken a fairly unpopular route.

However, whether you are at risk for being stopped for “driving while brown” or being asked for proof of citizenship, or not, you still have to abide by the laws of the state.

It seems those most affected by the Sherriff’s sweeps are those driving. Offenses like driving on a suspended license and DUI no doubt make up many of those criminal charges faced by people under Arpaio’s jurisdiction.

If you are facing criminal charges of any kind in Arizona, I can help. Contact me today to discuss the details of your case and to receive some free legal advice.

Related posts:

1. Violent Crime DOWN In Arizona Border Towns Despite politicians using the supposed escalating crime levels to justify...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Violent crime in Mexico is high and no one will argue that point. According to the Arizona Republic, John McCain has said the Mexican President claims to struggle to maintain his government amid the violence. However, McCain also stated “The violence is on the increase” in regards to Arizona, and the numbers show otherwise.

According to the Arizona Republic, despite population growth over the past decade, there were fewer rapes, robberies, and murders in Nogales last year when compared with a decade ago. Statewide, violent crime is also down.

It’s true that violent Mexican drug cartels take part in kidnappings, violent murders, and shootouts in Mexico and very near the border. But little, if any, of that is spilling over into Arizona.

All violent crime is bad and a complete elimination would be great. However, this isn’t likely nor is it even plausible.

Violent crimes like assault and domestic violence are far more common than drug-related beheadings and kidnappings. As a defense lawyer in Arizona, I see the same criminal charges as a defense lawyer in Vermont or Michigan would.

Things like misdemeanor assault and domestic battery will continue to be a problem no matter how the government chooses to deal with the Mexican drug trade or illegal immigration, simply because violent crimes like this are not unique to one group within the population.

Whether you are facing charges of a violent crime or a simple marijuana possession charge, you need the assistance of a local defense lawyer. Because despite all the hoopla surrounding immigration today, it’s still business as usual in the Arizona criminal courts. Call me today to discuss your case.

Related posts:

1. Arizona Attorney General Fights Drug Trade Arizona is the gateway for Mexican drug cartels and organized...
2. Yuma Man Arrested for Aggravated Domestic Violence A Yuma man faces serious aggravated domestic violence charges for...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Both the front glass door and side window of her office was either shot or punched out. According to the LA Times, it doesn’t appear as if anyone actually entered the office. The office was empty at the time and no injuries were reported.

The healthcare legislation has caused many people to have passionate reactions and supporters as well as critics of the bill are said to have protested outside of the hit office over the past several weeks.

Breaking the windows out of a building is considered “criminal damage”. This is a criminal offense regardless of who the windows belong to. The exact charge that the suspects of this offense would face, if caught, depends on the value of the damage.

For instance, if criminal damage results in an estimated $10,000, it is considered a Class 4 felony and punishable by up to 2 and a half years in prison. If the value is less than $250, however, it will be charged as a Class 2 misdemeanor and carry a potential 4 month jail sentence.

If the act is committed against property belonging to a church, school, or cemetery, the penalties are elevated and the charge is referred to as “aggravated criminal damage”.

Often, criminal damage is seen as a careless, youthful offense. However, in cases like this one, it is obvious that it can sometimes potentially be motivated by extreme anger or passion.

If you are facing charges of criminal damage or aggravated criminal damage, I may be able to help. Contact me today to discuss the charges against you and get some criminal defense legal advice.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Seven arrests were made; each of the men are said to be members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. They currently face charges of felony rioting, for the time being. However, additional charges for taking part in a gang could be added.

As the news report reveals, this particular branch of the Hells Angels actually has their own website which could potentially be used as evidence linking the arrestees to the gang. This is especially true if the suspects are in any of the photos on the website.

A ruling a few months back officially categorized the Hells Angels as a street gang rather than the “club” they are so commonly called. This official classification means that members can face charges for simply acting under the name of the organization.

The Hells Angel is a large club that has been around for quite some time. Like other street gangs this one reaches across country borders and through prison walls. Also like others, this one has been known to have deep dealings in the drug trade and in violent crime as well.

When facing criminal charges you can bet that the prosecution and the probation department at sentencing time will look into your background and possibly even your social life. These types of things can be used against you if they include criminal activity or a pattern of poor choices.

Knowing exactly what can be used against you at trial and then at sentencing time is the job of your attorney. When you are facing charges of drug possession, assault, or even just DUI, you need someone in your corner looking out for your best interests.

Call me today if you are facing criminal charges in the state of Arizona. I will be your advocate and help you to get the best possible results in court.

Related posts:

1. Yuma Man Arrested for Aggravated Domestic Violence A Yuma man faces serious aggravated domestic violence charges for...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

First, police discovered a bad check scheme back in September when bank employees suspected a man of using fraudulent checks to obtain goods. Fifty one year old Michael A. McClain III is facing charges of forgery, fraud, attempted theft, and computer tampering.

McClain’s alleged activities involve more than $100,000. Police seized checks, laptops, and CD’s when they searched his home. He is currently being held in Coconino County Jail.

In the second case, as reported here at ABC15.com, local business owner Jill Lowell is accused of taking out fake loans in other people’s names. She runs “The Tractor Guy”, a business that had reportedly fallen on tough times.

Lowell is accused of using past customer information to take out loans to help keep the business afloat. She is now facing charges of fraud, theft, aggravated identity theft, forgery, attempted fraud, and giving false information to law enforcement.

In both of these cases the suspects likely didn’t think they would be caught. In both cases, however, they were wrong.

Fraud and other white collar crimes are often committed in times of financial stress and there is plenty of that to go around these days.  Regular people with jobs and even business owners like Lowell find themselves calculating the risk of breaking the law.

Unfortunately, these crimes are quite serious and both suspects are facing lengthy prison sentences. Several of the charges against them are felonies that carry up to 5 years behind bars.

If you find yourself facing charges of theft, fraud, bad checks, or any other Arizona criminal charge, our attorneys can help. We can be the  advocates you need in court and will do what we can to get the best possible results for you.

Contact our attorneys as soon as possible for a consultation on your case and some legal advice.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The Yuma County’s Sherriff’s Office has arrested 30 year old Tyrone Jermaine Washington for allegedly breaking the jaw of his live in girlfriend.

Officials received a call about a domestic disturbance at around 11 am the other morning and responded to the couple’s home on East 38^th Street. There they reportedly found Washington’s girlfriend who had been violently assaulted ad left with several injuries including a broken jaw.

Deputies later located Washington near Martinez Lake the following evening and took him into custody. He was reportedly booked into the Yuma County jail on charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence.

His girlfriend was transported from the scene of the assault to Yuma Regional Medical Center where she was treated for her injuries. Injuries sustained in an assault case, whether domestic or otherwise, can have a big effect on the case in general.

For instance, in this case, the injuries could mean the difference between a simple assault and an aggravated assault, the latter carrying a potential prison term of 5 to 15 years.

People are commonly mistaken when it comes to domestic assaults. They believe that charges like these are only applied in instances of marriage. That assumption would be a big mistake.

As a matter of fact, domestic violence can occur between nearly any family members. The charges can apply in instances of grandparents, sisters and brothers, in laws, and even roommates. You can face charges even if the fight was a mutual situation.

Facing charges of domestic violence can be extremely troublesome and very humiliating. As you go through the system from arrest to jail and court dates, you will see that domestic violence suspects are looked at with scorn by many people, even before they are found guilty of anything.

When it feels like no one in the system has your back, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer sticking up for you.

If you are facing domestic violence charges in Arizona, call me today to discuss the details and see how I might be able to help.

Related posts:

1. Mesa Woman Faces Domestic Violence Charges We have a tendency to assume all domestic violence cases...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.