Disorderly Conduct

Published on: November 30, 2012

Another Win for the Defense

By Law Offices of Trent R. Buckallew, PC

Another win for Mesa Criminal Defense Attorney, Trent Buckallew. Our client was charged with Disorderly Conduct/Assault (Fighting/Mutual Combat) by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and the complaint was subsequently filed in the North Mesa Justice Court. After conducting a thorough case investigation, the defense was able to show that the defendant was defending himself after being attacked by the alleged victim and as a result, the case was ultimately dismissed.

The Firm handles all types of Disorderly Conduct and Assault cases – both misdemeanors and felonies, in City/Municipal Courts, Justice Courts, and Superior Courts throughout Maricopa County as well as Statewide. Mr. Buckallew has extensive experience in resolving cases involving all types of criminal matters and has a reputation for zealously defending each and every client. If you have been charged with Disorderly Conduct, Assault or any other criminal violation in Mesa or surrounding cities, contact the Firm today for a no cost evaluation of your case. Mr. Buckallew will discuss your case, associated penalties, possible defenses and answer any questions you may have regarding the criminal court proceedings or the case itself.

Published on: October 23, 2012

DUI & Criminal Defense – Queen Creek, AZ

By Law Offices of Trent R. Buckallew, PC

Queen Creek is a small town situated in southeast Maricopa County, with the southern portion of town overlapping into Pinal County. The town is a unique mix of housing sub-divisions, homes on acreage, farmers and ranchers, and despite its growth, Queen Creek still has that rural feel about it. The San Tan Mountains lie to the south of Queen Creek and offer plenty of recreational activities including hiking, biking, camping and the like. Queen Creek is also home to the only working olive farm and mill in the State of Arizona – Queen Creek Olive Mill, where visitors can tour the olive mill, stroll through the olive groves, enjoy casual dining, and purchase a variety of olive oils and other unique gifts. Schnepf Farms is another longtime local fixture in the town of Queen Creek, where visitors can dine at the bakery, enjoy a hayride, tour the farm, go veggie picking, visit the museum, and much more. Given its small town feel, abundance of recreational activities, and easy commute to Phoenix and other valley cities, Queen Creek has become one of the “best kept secrets” in Arizona.

The Town of Queen Creek contracts with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) to provide law enforcement services to the town as well as the unincorporated areas surrounding the town. If you are cited with a criminal violation in the Town of Queen Creek or surrounding unincorporated county islands, your case will likely be handled in the San Tan Justice Court, if you are being charged with a misdemeanor crime. Felony criminal charges are generally filed in the Maricopa County Superior Court. The southern portion of Queen Creek, which overlaps into Pinal County, is patrolled by Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). If you were cited by PCSO, your case will likely be under the jurisdiction of one of the Pinal County Justice Courts, if it is a misdemeanor, or Pinal County Superior Court if it is a felony charge.

The Firm has represented countless individuals who have been criminally charged in Queen Creek, either by MCSO or PCSO, ranging from simple misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges to very serious felony Aggravated DUI and Aggravated Assault cases. Mr. Buckallew is committed to the defense of individuals charged with a crime and focuses his scope of representation on matters involving criminal litigation, including (but not limited to) allegations of DUI (including 1^st Time DUI, Extreme DUI, and Aggravated DUI), Juvenile Criminal Matters, Underage Drinking, Minor in Possession, Drug Offenses, Disorderly Conduct, Domestic Violence, Assault, Theft, Shoplifting, Probation Violations and any other criminal violation. He has a proven track record of successfully resolving countless cases over the course of his career. Mr. Buckallew has also recently been elected as a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Attorney for 2012.

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Published on: October 3, 2012

Apache Junction Justice Court Cases

By Law Offices of Trent R. Buckallew, PC

The Apache Junction Justice Court is in Pinal County and located at 575 North Idaho Road, in Apache Junction, AZ. This court covers the San Tan Valley, Gold Canyon and Apache Junction. According to the court's website, the Apache Junction Justice Court ranks at number 17 out of 80 Justice Courts in Arizona for total case filings in 2011. There were just over 2,000 misdemeanor case filings, which included 410 DUI case filings, 76 serious traffic case filings and a variety of other non-DUI criminal filings. There were also close to 700 Orders of Protection and Injunctions against Harassment filed last year.

If you have been issued a misdemeanor DUI or criminal traffic citation or received a summons by mail for a misdemeanor incident occurring in the San Tan Valley, Gold Canyon, or Apache Junction, you will most likely be required to appear in Apache Junction Justice Court.

The Firm represents individuals charged with any criminal violation in the Apache Junction Justice Court, including (but not limited to), 1st Time DUI, Extreme DUI, Disorderly Conduct, Domestic Violence, Assault, Drug Crimes, Juvenile Crimes, Theft, Shoplifting, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor, Probation Violation, Interfering with Judicial Proceedings, and any other criminal charge.

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Published on: August 21, 2012

Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude

By Law Offices of Trent R. Buckallew, PC

What is a crime involving moral turpitude?

According to Black's Law Dictionary, moral turpitude is defined as "Conduct that is contrary to justice, honesty or morality." It is important to understand the consequences if convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT), particularly as it relates to immigration matters. These types of crimes can also have an impact on a person's ability to pursue meaningful employment, as prospective employers may call into question, a person's honesty or integrity if these types of crimes are found during a background search.

What types of crimes are deemed to be crimes involving moral turpitude? The more common crimes include the following:

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Published on: August 16, 2012

Are Bath Salts Illegal in AZ?

By Law Offices of Trent R. Buckallew, PC

Are 'Bath Salts' Illegal in Arizona?

According to a recent article by Arizona State University's State Press, Arizona Senate and House Bills were recently signed into law by Governor Brewer, making the "creation, sale and use" of chemicals used in making Bath Salts illegal in the State of Arizona. These designer drugs have become increasingly sought-after given the widespread availability and access to these drugs, the ease in which they can be made, and the belief that the affects mimic those of methamphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine. One of the growing concerns is that it is easy to circumvent existing laws against these types of drugs – Bath Salts (other common names include Blue Silk, Cloud 9, Drone, Stardust, Vanilla Sky, and White Lightning), Spices, and other similar drugs, by substituting one or more of the 'banned' ingredients. Some of the reported effects after ingesting these kinds of drugs have included nausea, paranioa, elevated heart rate, irritability, aggressive and violent behavior, hallucinations, seizures, and perspiration which can lead to individuals removing their clothing and subsequently being found naked after using Bath Salts. Local news reports also cite an addiction specialist at a drug and alcohol rehab center in Scottsdale who has indicated that addiction to bath salts has increased over 200 percent in the past 6 months. U.S. Poison Control Centers have also reported a massive increase in the number of Bath Salts related calls received, with zero reports in 2009, 302 reports in 2010 and 4,000 reports in 2011, according to a news release by the City of Tucson Police Department.

According to the Phoenix New Times, the Tempe Police Department has reported multiple allegations recently of individuals affected by Bath Salts. In one instance, a 23-year old was allegedly found slamming himself against walls and then running nude through a Tempe neighborhood after admitting to ingesting Bath Salts. In another incident, a 21-year old crashed his truck in a parking garage of an apartment complex near Arizona State University. According to witnesses, the individual was fully naked when he got out of his vehicle, and later admitted to police that he had taken Bath Salts. According to court documents, this individual – an ASU student, now has a DUI charge pending against him. In the third instance, an 18-year old was found in the bathroom at a local coffee shop in Tempe, allegedly barricading himself in the bathroom and when entry was gained by Tempe Police, he was said to be completely naked, acting delusional and claimed he was being eaten alive by bugs. Police say he is facing a criminal damage charge as the bathroom was allegedly "trashed" with broken mirrors and covered with "quite a bit of blood". There was also a recent case where Tempe Police pulled a naked man out of Tempe Town Lake and another report of a carjacking in Scottsdale by a naked man – both allegedly under the effects of Bath Salts.

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Published on: August 10, 2012

Restraining Orders in Scottsdale, AZ

By Law Offices of Trent R. Buckallew, PC

What are Protective Orders?

Individuals seeking to restrain a person from acts of domestic violence, harassment, coming near a residence, place of employment or school can obtain a Protective Order in any court in the State of Arizona. If you reside in Scottsdale, chances are you will be seeking an order in the Scottsdale City Court, or other nearby City/Municipal or Justice Courts in your community, including Paradise Valley Municipal Court, Biltmore Arcadia Justice Court, Desert Ridge Justice Court or McDowell Mountain Justice Court. An Order of Protection is generally requested when an individual is seeking protection against a spouse, former spouse, roommate, or other blood relative. If the person you are requesting the Order against does not qualify as a spouse, relative, roommate, or other designated domestic relationship, you will need to request an Injunction Against Harassment instead of an Order of Protection. An Injunction is typically sought when disputes arise between neighbors, co-workers, or other non-domestic relationships.

When requesting an Order of Protection, a Judge can issue the Order if he/she finds that the defendant may, or has committed an act of domestic violence. Domestic Violence Crimes can include Assault or Aggravated Assault, Child Abuse, Criminal Damage, Crimes Against Children, Disorderly Conduct, Harassment, Threatening and Intimidating and other related crimes. The Judge may order either party not to commit acts of Domestic Violence; prevent either party from coming near the residence or place of employment; grant one party full use of the residence; and order any other relief that may be necessary to ensure protection. The Judge may also prohibit the Defendant from possessing or purchasing any firearms as a condition of the Order, and shall subsequently order the Defendant to turn over any firearms to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

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Published on: June 22, 2012

Disorderly Conduct Charges Dismissed

By Law Offices of Trent R. Buckallew, PC

The Firm recently achieved a full dismissal in the Gilbert Municipal Court in a case involving charges of Disorderly Conduct and Assault/Domestic Violence. The case was dismissed after Defense Counsel successfully argued defense of property as a justification defense. The State agreed with the defense analysis and dismissed the case in its entirety.

The Firm handles all types of criminal cases in the Gilbert Municipal Court and any other court in the State of Arizona. If you have been charged with Disorderly Conduct, Assault, or any other Domestic Violence related charge, contact the Firm today for a free evaluation of your case.

Front of Gilbert Municipal Court

*All cases are factually different and prior success on individual cases is not a guarantee of future outcomes. The firm cannot, and does not make any guarantees as to the outcome of your case.

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Published on: May 10, 2012

Phoenix Area Prostitution Charges

By Law Offices of Trent R. Buckallew, PC

Phoenix Area Prostitution and Solicitation Charges

Prostitution is defined as engaging in or offering to engage in sexual conduct with a person in exchange for money or any other valuable consideration such as food, drugs, shelter or clothing. Police use a variety of tactics to address prostitution, including having female officers pose as prostitutes or having undercover officers arrest individuals accused of soliciting a prostitute.

Prostitution is classified as a Class 1 Misdemeanor in most cases. A person convicted of prostitution will face the following mandatory jail term:

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Published on: April 30, 2012

Tempe Underage Drinking Enforcement Campaign

By Law Offices of Trent R. Buckallew, PC

Tempe Underage Drinking Enforcement Campaign

According to recent reports by the AZ Republic, police have made 270 alcohol-related arrests as a result of Tempe's Youth Alcohol Enforcement campaign targeting underage drinking and drunk driving. The Tempe Police Department, along with ASU Police and other state law enforcement agencies kicked off the campaign in an effort to reduce crimes often associated with alcohol and DUI violations, such as violence, disorderly conduct or disturbance of the peace (i.e. loud parties and gatherings) as well as injury or fatal auto collisions and other criminal violations. The crackdown included 184 underage drinking/minor in consumption arrests, 45 for possession of alcohol by a minor/minor in possession, nine for providing alcohol to minors, 17 DUI arrests, one aggravated DUI arrest, two DUI under 21 arrests, 22 loud party responses and the seizure of seven kegs. The enforcement campaign will conclude the first week of May, after ASU graduation ceremonies/parties and police will be highly visible in downtown Tempe and patrolling throughout the city during this time.

If you (or your child) have been charged with Underage Drinking, Minor in Possession/Minor in Consumption of Alcohol, Public Intoxication, False ID, DUI, Disorderly Conduct / Disturbing the Peace or any other violation related to Underage Drinking, you may be able to defend these charges in court. The consequences can be significant and leave a permanent mark on your criminal record so it is critical to seek the advice of counsel to determine your legal options before you make any decisions regarding your case. Penalties associated with Underage Drinking/Underage DUI related violations can include, jail time, community work service, alcohol classes and treatment, license suspension, fees/fines, and even possible suspension or expulsion from school and/or athletic teams. Some of the legal factors a defense attorney will explore include, determining whether you actually violated any city or state law; whether the arresting agency followed the law; whether or not your conduct constitutes a criminal violation and whether you have any other legal, factual or procedural defense(s) in your case. With a strong East Valley presence, the Firm has represented countless individuals, including many ASU students, who have been charged with criminal misdemeanor and alcohol related violations in Tempe and surrounding cities throughout the Valley. Contact the Firm today for a free evaluation of your case.

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Published on: April 26, 2012

Underage Drinking Arrests at Country Thunder

By Law Offices of Trent R. Buckallew, PC

Underage Drinking Arrests at Country Thunder

Country Thunder is an annual event held at Canyon Moon Ranch just east of Florence (Pinal County) – centrally located between Phoenix and Tucson. According to local news outlets (CBS5/AP), 189 people were arrested at this month's Country Thunder music festival for underage drinking-related crimes. The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control officers worked with local law enforcement during the 4 day event as a result of ongoing problems at this event in years past. According to Liquor Control officers, many of the arrested underage drinkers had blood-alcohol levels more than twice the legal limit of .08 percent and the youngest person arrested was 15 years old. The violations for those arrested included, minor in possession of alcohol, using a fake ID to buy alcohol, or furnishing alcohol to a minor.

If you were arrested by the AZ Dept. of Liquor License/Control, Pinal County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), Florence Police Department, or any other agency during Country Thunder, contact the Firm to arrange a free consultation regarding your case. Depending on the agency you were arrested by, your case will likely be heard in the Florence Justice Court – Precinct 1 in Florence, AZ. The consequences can be significant and leave a permanent mark on your criminal record so it is critical to seek the advice of counsel to determine your legal options before you make any decisions regarding your case. Penalties associated with Underage Drinking/Underage DUI related violations can include, jail time, community work service, alcohol classes and treatment, license suspension, fees/fines, and even possible suspension or expulsion from school and/or athletic teams. Some of the legal factors a defense attorney will explore include, determining whether you actually violated any city or state law; whether the arresting agency followed the law; whether or not your conduct constitutes a criminal violation and whether you have any other legal, factual or procedural defense(s) in your case.

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