The criminal law in Arizona is a body of statutes defining the nature and consequences of offensive behaviors, actions, and attempts. These statutes are found throughout the Arizona Revised Statutes (Az. Rev. Stat.) but mostly concentrated in Title 13 (Criminal Code). Most crimes are actions contrary to acceptable social standards, but this is not universal. To levy criminal charges against a person, the legislature or the state judiciary must apply a label or legal status on it.
Generally, the punishments for crimes in Arizona, Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Kingman, and other Arizona cities depend on the class of offense. However, other factors such as criminal history influence the severity of the punishment. Thus, depending on the circumstances surrounding an offense, first-time offenders and repeat offenders of the same crime may not get the same punishment.
At Oliverson Law DUI & Criminal Defense, our entire legal team is dedicated to your well-being and best interests. We understand that any legal matter can be an overwhelming and sometimes intimidating situation. We are here to take the weight off your shoulders. This article will help you understand the criminal law subjects we specialize in and how we can help you out if you happen to face any of the below criminal charges.
DUI Law
Getting arrested for a violation of Arizona’s DUI laws can feel overwhelming. Having never been through the process before, you likely have many questions and, of course, concerns about what your future holds. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in Arizona. Regardless of whether an offense involves alcohol or drugs, it is referred to as DUI. In terms of alcohol, Arizona law imposes a .08% blood-alcohol content threshold. Anyone driving with a blood-alcohol content that exceeds .08% can be arrested for DUI. Similarly, any amount of an illegal drug in your system can form the basis of a DUI arrest. You can even be arrested for DUI based on the use of prescription drugs if they impair your ability to drive to even the slightest degree.
Arizona DUIs come in a few forms, depending on the circumstances surrounding your arrest. Traditional DUIs are the least serious, followed by extreme DUIs and then aggravated DUIs. However, most aggravated DUIs require a prior DUI or committing the DUI with a suspended license.
If you are facing misdemeanor DUI charges, you should reach out to the experienced DUI defense attorneys at Oliverson Law DUI & Criminal Defense. We have helped thousands of individuals defend against driving under the influence offenses at both the misdemeanor and felony levels, and we can help you to understand the options available to you.
Domestic Violence Law
The State of Arizona defines domestic violence as almost any criminal act of abuse committed by one "family or household member" against another. Several Arizona laws can be considered domestic violence offenses if there is a qualifying victim. These crimes are not all violent in nature. Domestic violence abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, economic control and neglect. If you are found guilty of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge for a third time in a seven-year period, you can be charged with a felony and sentenced to prison time. Aggravated domestic violence is considered a Class 5 felony and carries up to 2 ½ years in prison for a first conviction.
For a better chance of avoiding these penalties, you should contact us immediately so that we can evaluate your case to try to get your charges reduced or dismissed. We offer free consultations, during which you can discuss the specifics of your case. Call (480) 582-3637 now.
Drug Possession Law
The issue of possession, use, sale, manufacture and transportation of illegal drugs is a vast one. And Arizona, like many other states, takes drug infractions seriously. If a person is found in possession of any amount of a dangerous drug or is found using a dangerous drug in the state of Arizona, they can be charged with a class 4 felony. The felony can be dropped to a class 1 misdemeanor depending on the substance and if there is no previous felony conviction.
CLASS 4 FELONY
If you are found in possession of any amount of a dangerous drug or if you are found using a dangerous drug in the state of Arizona, you can be charged with a class 4 felony. The felony can be dropped to a class 1 misdemeanor depending on the substance and if there is no previous felony conviction.
CLASS 3 FELONY
A dangerous drug felony can increase in severity to a class 3 if you are found in possession of equipment or chemicals used for the manufacture of a dangerous substance, with the exception of meth, which is a class 2 felony.
CLASS 2 FELONY
The manufacture of a dangerous drug, administering a dangerous drug to another person or transportation of a dangerous drug for sale or import into this state are all considered class 2 felonies. Most of the above offenses involving meth are considered class 2 felonies as well.
If the police charge you with manufacturing dangerous drugs or distributing them in Arizona, you should seek legal help immediately. Since the laws in Arizona frequently change through new legislation, court decisions, and ballot initiatives, you should hire a drug crimes lawyer who works to stay updated with changes in the law as they occur.
Our drug crime attorneys at Oliverson Law DUI & Criminal Defense constantly read new court decisions and track legislative changes to remain up to date with sentencing trends, alternatives, aggravators, procedures, and potential defenses. Contact us at (480) 582-3637 or visit our website to schedule a free consultation. Click https://www.oliversonlaw.com/contact-us