Prescott Valley Criminal Law Blog

Throughout our state, law enforcement is vigilant in its attempts to find and stop drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Since DUI is one of the main causes of accidents with injuries and fatalities, it has harsh penalties associated with it should there be a conviction. These penalties can increase in severity depending on the circumstances. Jail time, fines, a driver license revocation and more can be part of the consequences when they are assessed. While no one is suggesting it is appropriate to drive under the influence, it is important to remember that not everyone who is charged is automatically guilty. Having a legal defense is a critical factor in addressing the issues in the case.

A 61-year-old woman was arrested for multiple offenses related to a DUI. The arrest was made at approximately 2 p.m. when a witness contacted law enforcement about a driver moving against traffic on the road. The vehicle subsequently turned into a store parking lot. The witness had followed the vehicle. Before officers arrived, that same witness told the driver to turn the engine off. There were children in the vehicle.

Juveniles in Prescott Valley and throughout Yavapai County can find themselves in legal trouble for a variety of reasons. With law enforcement in the area constantly on the lookout for violations such as underage drinking and driving, it is not uncommon for young people to find themselves under arrest and facing the juvenile law system, its consequences and penalties. Because there can be far-ranging implications for convictions when a person was a teenager, it is important to understand what they are up against and have legal assistance in a defense against the allegations.

A 17-year-old male is facing DUI charges after a single vehicle accident. The black vehicle rolled over in the early-morning hours at approximately 1:30 a.m. Deputies went to the scene and found the vehicle. The teen was waiting on the road and stated he had injured a hand and had scratched his chest in the accident. He stated that he and his passenger were not drinking. He was given a breath test and his blood-alcohol level was found to be nearly two times the legal limit at .153. The passenger stated they had been drinking. During tests, THC was found in the driver's system. He was arrested for DUI, DUI drugs and underage DUI.

While it might not fit into the worst possible connotations of sex crimes, those who are charged with indecent exposure in the state will still face a litany of penalties that can negatively affect their life. In fact, it can result in jail time and require them to be on a sex offender registry. In some cases, however, the allegations are unfair. The case might have been an accident of circumstances or some other mistake could have happened that made it appear as if the person was violating the law when there was no malicious intent. Understanding the law for indecent exposure and having a law firm that understands criminal defense is essential to addressing the charges.

There will be a charge of indecent exposure if the person exposes genitals, the anus, the nipple or areola of the breast when there is another person present and the individual behaved recklessly regarding the other person being in the area and that victim could express alarm or take offense from the exposure. It is important to remember that there will be no charge of indecent exposure if a mother is breast feeding a child and another person is in the vicinity and sees it.

Being arrested and charged with driving under the influence here can have a wide-ranging effect on a person's life. A conviction can result in a driver license suspension, fines, jail time and more. The penalties will vary based on the incident and its circumstances. That means if a person was significantly above the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) level for DUI of 0.08 percent, the penalties will be harsher. And, understanding what can happen when a person is charged with extreme DUI is critical to lodging a strong defense and avoiding the worst possible penalties.

There will be an extreme DUI charge when a person has a BAC level of 0.15 percent or higher. That is nearly double the baseline amount to be charged with DUI. If it is a first offense and there is a conviction, the person will be jailed for a minimum of 30 days. He or she will not be eligible for probation or a suspended sentence. There will be a fine of at least $2,500. Alcohol treatment, education or screening will be required and the person will need to perform community service. An ignition interlock device will need to be placed on the person's vehicle.