The Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard is trying to hit the drug cartels where it hurts, in their pockets. With human trafficking allegedly bringing the DTO’s (drug trafficking organizations) $2 billion last year, tightening the funnel that takes that cash across the border is crucial in making things more difficult for the drug kingpins.

But, what about the regular citizens of Arizona? Affected by the run-off from these large drug operations, we see acquaintances, neighbors, and friends getting caught up in addiction and crime that may have otherwise not reached them.

Marijuana, heroin, and now methamphetamines are coming over through Mexican drug cartels. Arizonans may pass by trucks filled with drugs or even victims of human trafficking without knowing it. Because the majority of our “imported” illegal drugs come from Mexico, Arizona is a hot spot of recreational use and addiction alike.

The Arizona criminal courts are no stranger to seeing criminal cases that involve people connected to the Mexican drug trade. The judges and prosecutors also know that native Arizonans with no Mexican connections can just as easily get caught up in the cycle of drugs and crime.

Whether facing simple charges of possession of a controlled substance or even drug trafficking, having a defense attorney on your side is crucial to the potential success of your case. Knowing you have someone in your corner, looking out for your best interests can bring a small sense of relief during this stressful time.

Officials in Arizona take drug charges very seriously, and so should you. If you are facing charges and need legal help, call me.

Local Arizona TV station KPHO recently covered this, trend which could make your next trip to the gas station costlier than ever.

Skimming is not new though it comes and goes from different cities. So far we have seen a jump in incidences in Kingman, Bullhead city, and Lake Havasu City and the news warns it may be coming to Phoenix next.

Unfortunately for gas customers, there is no way to know if a skimmer (often a flash drive) is present in the pump you use. As Dennis Ehrhart, director of Arizona’s Department of Weights and Measures says the only way to ensure you’re safe is to pay with cash.

As of yet, no arrests have been made in this rash of skimming. If and when the suspect(s) are caught, they could face a multitude of charges including credit card theft and fraudulent use of a credit card. For several of these charges, they could be facing years in prison.

Even if you don’t use the credit card or credit card numbers you are accused of stealing, you can still be charged with credit card theft. This offense is a Class 5 felony for the first time offender. If you are found with multiple credit cars, the charges will mount.

Whether you found someone’s credit card and didn’t intend to use or even if you admit to making a stupid mistake, I can help. Knowing the Arizona criminal laws governing credit cards and theft is my job and representing defendants is my passion.

When facing charges of fraud, theft, or identity theft, you need an aggressive defense attorney looking out for your best interests. Contact me today to discuss the charges against you and get some valuable legal advice.

Currently, you must have a permit to carry a concealed weapon in the state of Arizona. Getting such a permit involves qualifying for the weapon and taking training. This is just one example of the many laws and rules controlling the ownership and use of firearms.

Advocates of the bill state that it gives citizens the power to protect themselves and is aligned with the 2^nd Amendment rights of the Constitution. Critics say the bill is asking for trouble.

According to a Gun Shop owner, interviewed by KSWT, “If you know nobody’s armed therefore you attack. If you know everybody has a gun, you leave them alone.” This is a common statement of gun rights advocates, claiming that the right to carry a concealed weapon deters crime rather than encourages it.

Under the current laws, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit is considered Misconduct Involving Weapons, Class 1 misdemeanor. It is an offense punishable by up to 6 months in jail. The offense is a fairly common one in the Arizona criminal courts.

Misconduct Involving Weapons is the criminal charge term applied to most weapons offenses here. Whether you are accused of defacing a gun, carrying one onto school grounds, or possessing a firearm when you are considered a felon, you will face a charge that falls under this heading.

There are gun charges, like possessing a concealed weapon without a permit, that are misdemeanors and there are many more than are considered felonies. Depending on the charge against you, you could be facing several years in prison and the label of “convicted felon”.

If you are charged with a weapons offense, you need the assistance of a defense attorney, one that knows the local courtroom players and always changing Arizona gun laws. Contact me today for a consultation on your case and some insight into what you should do next.

According to The Daily Times, officials seized 116 pounds of marijuana and $50,000 in cash from the home which was occupied by 23 year old Joel Archuleta, an adult female, and a 1 year old child. The home, located in the Mesa residential mobile home park, is part of a Crime Free Housing area.

The 23 year old Archuleta was arrested at the home and a 24 year old Victor Archuleta was arrested in Durango Colorado in relation to the case as well.  It is not uncommon to see different state agencies work together in larger cases like this.

Because the home in which the drugs were found was part of a Crime-Free Housing area, the residents will be evicted. Such housing developments feature a contract where residents agree to refrain from criminal conduct.

The exact charges that the Archuleta men face is not clear though they will likely be facing several years behind bars and no doubt several felony charges.

While marijuana is typically considered the least serious of controlled substances to be caught with, it can still carry hefty penalties depending on the circumstances of the case.

If you are facing possession of marijuana charges and this is your first offense, you may qualify for deferred prosecution. This refers to a second chance that the courts give occasionally give first time offenders. It essentially involves serving a term of probation that, when successful, results in the charges against you being dropped.

When up against drug charges in the state of Arizona, you want to be certain you have an experienced local defense attorney on your side. If you are curious whether your case is eligible for deferred prosecution or just wondering what to do next, call me now.

The Associated Press reports that 10,500 DUI arrests were made by the various task forces across the state in 2008 and more than 14,000 were made in 2009.

Whether the rise is due to more incidents of drunk driving or increased enforcement will continued to be analyzed in 2010 as several Arizona communities will see an increase in preventative spending.

According to the Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff just received a $30,000 grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to assist in the enforcement of DUI laws.

Interestingly, despite the climb in DUI arrests statewide, Flagstaff saw a drop in DUI related auto accidents, a 40% drop to be exact.

So, how do the police spend their money on DUI prevention and enforcement? Many departments invest in new equipment or more staff. If the city already has a DUI task force, they may use the money for overtime in this department.

One of the biggest expenditures of departments with a DUI task force is the man hours used in operating check points. Sobriety check points are often used on holidays and weekends surrounding big sporting events. They involve the random stopping of vehicles in an effort to catch drunk drivers behind the wheel.

While effectively taking drunk drivers off the streets with arrests, sobriety check points may actually prevent drunk drivers when departments announce roadblock locations ahead of time. Or, drivers may just avoid the know location.

And whether or not stopping every driver on the road is more effective that targeted patrols on the lookout for dangerously impaired driver’s is certainly an open question.

But those details don’t matter much to you if you’ve found yourself arrested and charged with a DUI offense.

For a first time DUI conviction, you are facing Class 1 misdemeanor charges. This conviction can end with a minimum of 10 days in jail, as well as fines, probation, community service, and a required ignition interlock device. And this is just for your first conviction!

If you are facing DUI charges in Arizona and need the assistance of a local defense attorney, I can help. Together we will look at your case and determine the best defense strategy to protect your rights and your freedom to drive. Call me today.

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.