Phoenix Criminal Defense Law Blog

Do police always have to read me my rights?

On behalf of The Baker Law Firm, LLC on Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

Knowing your rights is key to protecting them. Many have a vague understanding of the rights that protect them, especially in criminal matters, but often the law is much more complex than people realize. Adding to the confusion is the fact that Hollywood takes many liberties with criminal law when it comes to depicting police procedures.

One example of a rule that often leads to misunderstanding is the Miranda warning. Movies and TV crime shows often portray police arresting a suspect and reciting the rights to remain silent and obtain a lawyer. If you watch enough of these shows, you may be able to recite those rights by heart. However, did you know there are times when police do not need to warn you of your right to remain silent?

How does a DUI charge affect your employment?

On behalf of The Baker Law Firm, LLC on Thursday, August 2, 2018.

Everyone makes mistakes, but some of them come with more ramifications and consequences than others do. You probably already know that Arizona has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country, which means that you should probably take any such charge seriously.

One area that may suffer significantly is your employment. Even if driving isn't part of your job duties, you could experience difficulties that your employer will not overlook due to the circumstances.

What makes domestic violence different from assault?

On behalf of The Baker Law Firm, LLC on Thursday, June 21, 2018.

Two people end up in an altercation in a bar. Someone pushes someone else, punches are thrown and both parties end up sitting in the back of a police car facing charges of assault. In some cases, the parties involved know each other, but not always.

Just because two friends end up in a fight, that doesn't mean that they face domestic violence charges. Instead, they face charges of assault. So what makes domestic violence charges so different?

When asked to take field sobriety tests, what does that entail?

On behalf of The Baker Law Firm, LLC on Friday, May 11, 2018.

Police officers in Arizona and all over the country pull people over every day for suspected impairment. When they do, these individuals are often asked to submit to field sobriety testing. If you have never taken part in these tests before, you may wonder what they entail.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, there are three field sobriety tests that they consider the gold standard. This is because, out of all them, these three tend to produce the most accurate results. What are the three standard tests and do you have to participate when asked?

Was the search that led to the drug charges against you legal?

On behalf of The Baker Law Firm, LLC posted in blog on Thursday, March 29, 2018.

Are you facing drug charges stemming from a search of your car, home or other property? More than likely, you wonder about your future. All you want is to resolve the charges in the best manner possible.

To that end, it's important to review all of the evidence prosecutors intend to present to the court. However, what you may not realize holds a great deal of significance to your case is the search itself, not just what police allegedly discovered.

Facing false accusations of domestic violence

On behalf of The Baker Law Firm, LLC posted in blog on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.

State and federal law enforcement take seriously the allegations of domestic abuse, and rightfully so. Too often, the stronger person in a relationship or family uses physical abuse to control the lives of the others, causing pain and often lifelong scars. For this reason, police act quickly, and the courts respond decisively based on the lowest standard of law.

However, what happens when those allegations of abuse are exaggerated or unfounded? Unfortunately, for many who are involved in family law disputes, false claims of domestic abuse can have far-reaching consequences.

Do you have to be driving to be arrested for DUI?

On behalf of The Baker Law Firm, LLC posted in blog on Friday, January 5, 2018.

You were fast asleep in your car waiting for the alcoholic beverages you consumed earlier to wear off enough for you to drive home safely. Suddenly, you hear someone knocking on your car's window. When you open your eyes, you find a flashlight shining in your eyes and a police officer asking you to step out of the vehicle.

The officer probably begins questioning you regarding why you are asleep in your car and whether you drank alcohol that evening. He or she then asks you to participate in field sobriety tests and a breath test. The next thing you know, you are on your way to jail on suspicion of DUI.

Are you at risk of an aggravated DUI charge?

On behalf of The Baker Law Firm, LLC posted in blog on Friday, November 24, 2017.

Many people enjoy going out with friends to have a few drinks while catching up or to unwind after a long day at work. Though this activity is fairly common, individuals should still remember not to let themselves consume too much or to call someone to drive in the event that they do drink too much. However, some people may believe that they are still fine to get behind the wheel.

Even if you do not feel intoxicated, you could still end up stopped by police if your driving causes any concerns. In such a situation, an officer could place you under arrest for driving under the influence. If certain factors apply to the incident, you could face a more serious charge for aggravated DUI.

Driving while high could bring seriously high penalties

On behalf of The Baker Law Firm, LLC posted in Criminal Defense on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.

In Arizona, drunk drivers can face serious penalties if convicted of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Penalties can range from time in jail to fines to loss of driving privileges. Many fail to consider that in the eyes of the law, drugged driving is just as serious as drunk driving, and drivers caught operating a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana could face very steep penalties.

Driving while high is a crime, no matter what, and if you are facing these charges, you would be wise to fight back with the assistance of an experienced defense attorney. There is much at stake, but with help, you may be able to seek and obtain a beneficial outcome to your situation. You would be wise to remember that a charge for drugged driving is not the same as a conviction.

Arizona marijuana laws are very strict

On behalf of The Baker Law Firm, LLC posted in Drug Charges on Monday, August 28, 2017.

If you're visiting Arizona or live here full time but often visit a neighboring state, you could land in a heap of trouble if you use marijuana, grow it, sell it or buy it and you aren't familiar with current marijuana laws. In fact, this state is known for having some of the most stringent marijuana laws in the nation. Proposition 205 was put to a vote last year, but did not pass, which means any hopes you may have had of legally using marijuana for pleasure were dashed.

Certain people, perhaps including you, may be card-carrying medical marijuana users in Arizona. Even then, strict rules apply as to how much of the drug you may possess, grow or use at a given time.