Arizona Lawyer Referrals

As much as lawyers and doctors hate to admit it, their professions are very much alike. One of these similarities is that both doctors and lawyers can choose to specialize in a specific field or area of their profession. Another similarity is that there is also a well-established referral system among doctors and lawyers. This is very true in most areas, especially in places where there is a large concentration of doctors or lawyers, including Arizona. However, not all people are fully aware of the referral system in the practice of law, which in the final analysis is very similar to the referral system among doctors.

How does it work among lawyers?

In the legal profession, the referral system is similar to that of the medical profession. In the legal profession, there are referral attorneys who get clients not because they want to represent them but because they want to refer them to other attorneys who specialize in the cases of the clients. This is similar to the referral system in the medical profession where general practitioners or other doctors refer patients to other doctors who are specialists in the diseases of the patients. In the same way that doctors who refer patients get a percentage of the fee, referral attorneys also receive a percentage of the legal fees of the lawyer to whom they referred the clients.

However, in the referral system among lawyers, there are instances wherein the referral attorney would only earn the percentage f the legal fees if the actual lawyer handling the case wins the case. The good news is that this augurs well for clients who approach referral attorneys because given this set up, referral attorneys have an incentive to refer them to really good lawyers to increase the chances of winning the case.

In the legal profession, there is also a well-established referral system wherein referral attorneys earn by attracting clients for the purpose of referring them to other lawyers. However, unlike the referral system in the medical profession, referral attorneys have an incentive in referring clients to really good clients because of the fact that they will earn only if the actual lawyer wins the case. Given this, getting the help of a referral attorney for a person's legal needs can be considered a win-win situation.

Arizona Lawyers provides detailed information on Arizona Lawyers, Arizona DUI Lawyers, Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyers, Arizona Divorce Lawyers and more. Arizona Lawyers is affiliated with Colorado Employment Lawyers.

Arizona Dui Lawyer FAQs

It is imperative to have an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer represent in a case of driving under the influence (DUI). A person should seek references for hiring the services of a competent lawyer from attorneys who practice in other areas. The Arizona State Bar Association is also a good source of information on DUI attorneys according to their area of practice. It is wise to consider the opinion of hiring more than one attorney for a case of DUI. On meeting with the DUI lawyer, a person should ask how much of the lawyer?s practice is devoted to DUI defenses. The person should also determine if the drunk driving defense lawyer has actually tried DUI cases, and how many. It is also advisable to inquire on the qualifications of the lawyer. Qualified drunk driving attorneys will be happy to discuss their qualifications, experience and practice.

It is often seen that many people fail to realize the importance of hiring an DUI lawyer. Since the lawyer plays a vital role in case of DUI, information regarding the same is often inquired. The need and importance of a lawyer may also be questioned.

People may want to know if they have a right to an attorney when stopped by an officer and asked to take a field sobriety test. They may want detailed information regarding hiring a qualified drunk driving lawyer. Since people are also allowed to represent themselves, they may want to know the pros and cons regarding the same. Questions regarding the services provided by an Arizona layer, the fees charged and the defense available may also be asked. Finally, questions regarding the qualifications, experience and credentials of the lawyer also tend be asked.

The role played by FAQs is extremely important. They allow for a person?s most common questions to be answered in a single place. In the case of Arizona DUI attorneys, FAQs can help with all the questions someone may have on this complicated process.

Arizona Divorce Lawyers

According to Arizona's divorce laws, you do not need to provide grounds for dissolution of a marriage as long as you are able to prove irretrievable breakdown of your marriage. Under Arizona law, both spouses must have resided in the state for more than 90 days prior to filing the divorce suit.

In a divorce suit, there are often many other petitions filed along with the separation. For instance, there are often petitions filed for alimony and child custody. It can be very complicated, and you need to seek the services of a professional divorce lawyer who specializes in family law. The job of a professional divorce lawyer is not merely getting the divorce. Lawyers often act as mediators trying to bring the couple to settlement. In some cases, a lawyer helps to resolve conflicts actually bringing couples back together. However in most cases, there is no reconciliation, and a divorce lawyer will try to get full compensation and justice for their party. A divorce lawyer provides sound legal advice and guides his client to avoid mistakes at the time of the dissolution of the marriage.

You can search for a divorce lawyer by asking family or friends, through the State Bar Association of Arizona, the Internet or yellow pages. Once you have narrowed down the list of possible Arizona divorce lawyers to a handful, talk with them all, one at a time. Decide who will work with you the best, then make a decision as to whether to hire him or her.

Arizona Lawyers provides detailed information on Arizona Lawyers, Arizona DUI Lawyers, Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyers, Arizona Divorce Lawyers and more. Arizona Lawyers is affiliated with Colorado Employment Lawyers.

Arizona DUI Attorney Fees

The attorney fees for DUI offences in Arizona fall in different ranges in a wide variety of structures for different attorneys. There are those that charge a rock bottom fee and those whose fees are much higher. When it comes to choosing an attorney, though, it is not always a good idea to go with the cheapest or most affordable.

Attorneys who are good start getting more DUI cases through word of mouth publicity. Instead of getting overextended and not being able to do a good job of their cases, most of these successful DUI attorneys raise their fees and thus take select clients.

Those attorneys that charge rock bottom fees are the ones to be wary of. Since their fees are low, they need to take up more and more cases to survive. What this means is that they have less and less time to devote to each case, which may not be the best thing for the client. There are also attorneys who advertise and have a sales team pitching for them. These attorneys too have to take up a lot of cases to meet the expenses involved in advertising and keeping a staff. These attorneys may not have the requisite skills, expertise or attention required to handle a case.

One needs to keep in mind that attorneys' ethics prohibit them from entering agreements where the client pays them only if they win the DUI case.

Among the many variations to the fees structure available in Arizona, there is the flat fee structure, under which the client pays the full fees upfront, covering the entire range of work. This kind of an agreement is advisable for a client since under such circumstances the onus is upon the attorney to speed up the case in favour of the client so that the attorney can move on to other cases.

The other type of fee structure is one where the flat fee is spread over different phases. For example, the attorney may have a flat fee till a jury trial, and once the case proceeds to a trial, he or she will charge an additional fee.

The actual cost of hiring an attorney varies. Yet, one can expect an Arizona DUI attorney to charge anywhere between $3,000 to $15,000 for a first time misdemeanour, while the fees increases upwards from $15,000 to even beyond $25,000 for felony DUIs, excluding other costs and expert witness fees.

Some attorneys prefer to charge by the hour, with $300 an hour being a common rate. These attorneys seek an upfront retainer, upon which the billing is done. After the exhaustion of the original retainer, the client is asked to replenish it again. There are also some attorneys who adjust their payments based on the financial needs of the client.

Arizona DUI Penalties

In case of a DUI related crime, the penalty handed down to an accused depends mainly on two factors, the type of DUI that was charged, which is dependent on the gravity of the crime or offense, and on the criminal record of the accused.

In case of being a first DUI or if the Blood Alcohol Count (BAC) is above the specified limit of .080, the sentence could be jail term of 10 consecutive days, nine of which are subject to being suspended on completion of the substance and alcohol abuse screening, counselling and treatment ordered by the court. A fine of $1475 is charged with additional amount of $250 towards the DUI abatement fund, and a suspension of the driver's license for three months. The judge could also put the accused on probation of up to five years.

In case of a second DUI or BAC above the level of 0.080, a 90 days jail sentence is awarded, of which 60 days can be suspended based on the completion of substance and alcohol abuse screening, counselling and treatment as ordered by the court. The fine is $2675, with additional amount of $250 towards the DUI abatement fund, revoking of the driver's licence for one year, and a possible probation period of five years. The court has the right to forfeit a vehicle belonging to the accused which he or she was driving, at time of the arrest for DUI.

In case of a first extreme DUI with a BAC of 0.15 or higher, the sentence could be jail term of 30 consecutive days of which 20 days can be suspended on completion of the substance and alcohol abuse screening, counselling and treatment ordered by the court. A fine of $2225 is charged with additional amount of $250 towards the DUI abatement fund, a suspension of the driver's license for three months i.e. 90 days. The judge could also put the accused on probation of up to five years.

In case of a second extreme DUI with a BAC of 0.15 or higher, the sentence could be jail term of 120 days, 60 of which are subject to being suspended on completion of the substance and alcohol abuse screening, counselling and treatment ordered by the court. A fine of $2225 is charged with additional amount of $250 towards the DUI abatement fund, a suspension of the driver's license for three months. The judge could also put the accused on probation of up to five years.

In the case of a felony DUI in the presence of a child under the age of 15, if the accused has a clean record previously, the accused will have to serve a prison term for between 4 months to 2 years. The fine slapped is up to $150,000 with a surcharge of 80 percent. The driver's license of the accused is revoked for three years, the probation period extends up to ten years and the court has the right to seize the vehicle in which the DUI felony was committed.

For a felony DUI or a third DUI in the last sixty months, the minimum sentence to be served is 1 year to 3.75 years in prison. The fine is up to $150,000 with a surcharge of 80 percent, with the driver's license standing revoked for three years and a possible probation of up to ten years. The punishment includes a possible forfeiture of the vehicle in which the last felony was committed.

Arizona Immigration Lawyers

The process of migrating to another country, especially countries with very stringent and strict immigration laws like the United States, involves strictly following a specific set of rules and processes. This is because the slightest infractions of these rules and processes can jeopardize your chances of successfully migrating to your host country. This is very true in almost all states in America because, given that it is the federal government that determines the general principles in immigration laws, state governments only "pattern" their immigration policies after the federal government's immigration policies. This means that whether you are in New York or in Phoenix Arizona, you would still have to go through the same process with regard to immigration. Given this, you need to get the services of an immigration lawyer who can effectively guide you during the whole process.

Advantages of getting an immigration lawyer

One of the biggest advantages that you can get when you hire an immigration lawyer is that you can have access to the appropriate legal advice that you need when you apply for citizenship or immigrant status in your host country. In addition, an immigration lawyer can also give you guidance on the immigration laws and rules of your host country or locality, which can help you avoid violating immigration laws and rules and do not jeopardize your application. Lastly, an immigration lawyer can also help defend you in legal proceedings in case you do commit a violation.

However, you should not be fully dependent on your immigration lawyer for all your immigration needs because he or she can only do so much and cannot stay with you every minute to tell you what or what not to do. Given this, you need to make it a point to have some knowledge of the immigration laws and rules of your host country to guide you on what you are supposed to do and what you are not. Additionally, some knowledge of immigration laws can also give you a certain level of peace of mind because having no knowledge at all can make you very paranoid about very action you take.

Given the strict immigration policies of some countries like the U.S., immigrants would do well to hire an immigration lawyer to help them during the whole application process for citizenship or immigrant status. However, immigrants would also do well to gain basic knowledge of immigration laws so that they can avoid violating immigration laws that their immigration lawyer may have neglected to discuss with them.

Arizona Lawyers provides detailed information on Arizona Lawyers, Arizona DUI Lawyers, Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyers, Arizona Divorce Lawyers and more. Arizona Lawyers is affiliated with Colorado Employment Lawyers.

Arizona DUI Proceedings

Like most other court proceedings, the Arizona DUI proceedings are complex and depend on a lot of variables. The most important and one that often decides the fate of the case is whether the DUI has been registered as a misdemeanour or a felony. A misdemeanour carries less sentence or fine than a felony.

The DUI proceedings in Arizona do not always follow one line of process. Before a criminal court case is initiated, an accused has to go through an MVD hearing session. This hearing has a direct bearing on the right of the person to drive in Arizona. This, should, therefore, take an equal priority. There are also deadlines imposed by the court on the hearings. An accused should be aware of this deadline, for failure to request a hearing before this said deadline, makes the defendant lose the right to the hearing.

The first step in the DUI criminal court proceedings is the appearance before the judge. This initiates the case and the presence of the accused is not required unless he or she has been charged DUI felony. In this first appearance, the charges against an accused are read. The extent of the charges decides whether one goes for a bail application or an appearance bond.

There is a preliminary hearing held after this, unless of course, an indictment has happened. The judge, in this hearing, decides the causes and evidence present and whether that was enough to press DUI charges against the accused. What can go wrong here is the pressing of additional charges, which may require the judge to order the accused back into custody.

The step after this is the arraignment ordering the accused to be present at the Superior Court. This usually happens only in cases of aggravated DUI charges in Arizona. Here the accused is informed of the charges and given a chance to answer them.

Next is a pre-trial conference, where the attorney of the accused is allowed to negotiate a plea with the prosecuting attorney. This is also the time for the issuance of the pre-trial motions.

After these, the actual DUI criminal trial is initiated. How the case is fought by both the attorneys will determine the sentence given to the accused. This could range from a simple and small jail sentence, to a prison term, unsupervised probation or even a formal probation. The sentence may also end up including a combination of the said punishments. The defendants' attorney has the chance to negotiate some alternative programs, instead of a jail or prison sentence. This can include electronic home monitoring, treatment, weekend work or even counselling.

Arizona DUI Arrests

"Driving Under the Influence" or drunk driving is a punishable offence. The driver is arrested by police officers and taken into custody. It is not necessary to handcuff or restrict the physical movements of the suspect. An arrest can be executed by merely informing the suspect of the process.

The police officer makes the decision to arrest the suspect based on certain facts and evidence indicating the individual's involvement in the crime. The DUI arrests in Arizona can be affected based on two identified causes: an impaired driving ability as a result of intoxication due to the consumption of alcohol or drugs, or a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or more. Charges are serious if the blood alcohol level is detected to be more than 0.15%. If the driving ability is found to be impaired due to the influence of a drug, it results in conviction irrespective of the fact that it is a legally recommended medication.

In Arizona, DUI arrests are considered a misdemeanor if a person is accused two or more times in the span of five years prior to the current offence. However, a far more serious note is taken if the offence is during the suspension or cancellation of the driving rights or if a child below the age of fifteen is in the car. Punishments depend on the seriousness of charges and the defendant's criminal record. The amount payable as a fine depends on the number of crimes recorded against the individual and the percentage of alcohol detected in the person. In the first instance of DUI (below or above 0.15% BAL), a fine of $250.00 is imposed and subsequently (when BAL is above 0.15%), it is increased to $500.00. A third-time offense within five years fetches $1,000 to $10,000 as fine.

There are ways to decrease the charges; however the best way to avoid them is to simply not mix drinks with driving.

Arizona DUI Attorneys Online

Given the stringent rules and laws with regard to DUI cases that are in place in Arizona, people who face DUI charges should ensure that they get a good lawyer who can represent them and give them legal advice. In addition to getting a lawyer with the right competencies and skills with regard to the statutes in Arizona, people who face DUI charges should also try to get a lawyer who specializes in DUI cases.

Getting a lawyer with vast experience in DUI cases offers a number of benefits. The good news is that there are a number of sources where people can get good lawyers, especially those who specialize in DUI cases. One of the best places to start a search for lawyers is the Internet, as it hosts a large number of web sites of lawyers and law firms including those who specialize in DUI cases.

Searching online

Searching for a DUI lawyer online involves "canvassing" for a lawyer by visiting the web sites of the lawyers that are based in an area and getting information about them so that you can assess and decide on which lawyer you would get. The good news is that there are a large number of lawyers and law firms who advertise online. However, the most important step in searching for a lawyer online is interviewing the lawyers you are considering either through the phone or through personal visits. In these interviews, there are a number of important questions that you should ask so that you can see which lawyer can give you the best legal services.

Some of these questions include asking about the lawyer's experience, asking him about his fees, and asking him about your options with regard to your case. By listening to his answers to these questions, you would be able to ascertain if the lawyer can provide you with the appropriate legal services that you need.

Being charged with DUI, especially in a place like Arizona where there are stiff penalties for such cases, requires that you get a good lawyer who can help you face the case. One of the best places to look for a lawyer, which include those who specialize in DUI cases, is the Internet, as it hosts a large number of lawyers who advertise their services online. However, apart from the information that they provide on their web sites, it is still very important to talk to the lawyers you are considering so that you can see for yourself if they are as good as they say on their web sites.

Ways to Avoid an Arizona DUI Charge

Arizona DUI with prescription medications on the rise

In Phoenix Arizona, did you know you can get an Arizona DUI without being drunk, or having had any alcohol at all? It's true. You can get a DUI if you are "impaired to the slightest degree" due to being under the influence of medication. Arizona imposes harsh penalties for any type of DUI regardless of if it is alcohol or medication related.

According to recent news agencies (source Arizona Department of Public Safety Laboratory ) report Arizona arrests + 377% surged in 2009 over from 2001 due to charges of DUI linked to legally prescribed medications such as Valium and other psychoactive drugs to treat muscle pain, anxiety or insomnia. Arrests can occur even if you are driving impaired due to an over the counter accessible medication. If the law enforcement officers stop you, and suspect you of driving impaired, in absence of alcohol use you will be subjected to toxicology testing with blood draw or urine sample. If the results are positive, you will later be charged with a DUI. The severity of the DUI charges will be based on how much of the substance was found in your body based on the results of toxicology testing.

Punishments can include fines, fees, and incarceration. For example, Arizona DUI laws specify that a person must serve at least 24 hours in jail if convicted of even the most basic or misdemeanor Arizona DUI charge. This will increase quickly to 30 days for an Arizona extreme DUI, then 45 days for an Arizona Super Extreme DUI. The maximum jail sentence for any single misdemeanor DUI charge in Arizona is 180 days.

It can easily happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. So if you have taken any medications that may impair your ability to drive safely, you are better off getting a ride to your destination from family friend, taxi or other source who is not impaired. Leave the keys. You and everyone else will have piece of mind and be a lot safer on the road.

Phoenix DUI Lawyer - Phoenix DUI Laws

James Novak, Attorney at Law
Law Office of James E. Novak
Arizona DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyer

Arizona DUI Laws Explained

Arizona DUI laws state that Driving Under the Influence (of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs that impair driving) can be prosecuted whether the driver is merely impaired or by having a blood alcohol level of .08% or greater.

This means, if you are driving with a BAC of less than .08%, you can still be charged with DUI if the officer feels that your driving is impaired. You can be charged with DUI if your BAC is over .08% even if your driving is not impaired.

Arizona DUI laws specify that two cases will be initiated when the District Attorney charges you with drunk driving. The first is the Motor Vehicle's Department hearing. You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request a MVD hearing. If you do not, this bureaucracy can strip you of your driver's license for 90 days without a court hearing.

The second is the criminal case tried in front of a Judge. You have the right to a 6 person jury, but you can waive this and have the Judge try it alone.

If you are convicted of a first time DUI, you will be sentenced to 10 consecutive days in jail. Nine of these ten days can be suspended if you get an alcohol and drug evaluation and pursue any treatment recommended. You'll pay $750 in fines and surcharges. You can also be placed on probation for up to 5 years.

The consequences become more severe if you have multiple DUIs, an especially high BAC, or children under 15 in the car when you're arrested.

For instance, under Arizona DUI laws, a third conviction within 5 years requires a minimum of 4 months in jail and thousands of dollars in fines. You will also lose your license for 3 years. If you owned the vehicle you were driving at the time of arrest, you could forfeit it.

A Guide to Arizona DUI Attorneys

As with any service that you may need, the Internet is one of the best sources to find individuals and companies providing the services that you need. With regard to legal services, this is also very true because lawyers and law firms also advertise their services online. Although this may augur well for people who enjoy picking from a wide selection of choices, the fact that there are thousands of individuals who offer legal services can also mean that some of them may have other agendas. Given the ease with which a person can put up a web site, there may be times when the "lawyer" that you are dealing with online may only be out to con you out of your money. Given this, people need to arm themselves with information so they can avoid being fooled by these "lawyers."

Things to watch out for

If in case you find yourself being charged with DUI in a place like Arizona where there are stiff penalties, you also need to be aware of a number of things to consider when hiring a lawyer. Usually, this involves knowing what you should be wary about when dealing with lawyers. One of the things you should be wary about is the "sweet talker," who promises you all the best scenarios with regard to your case. Usually, these lawyers may only be after the acceptance fee or the retainer's fee you would give them. Another thing you should be wary of is the overextended lawyer, who may not have the time to effectively handle your case because he is handling too many other DUI cases.

With regard to the fees that lawyers quote you, you should also be wary of those who charge too high or too low because the motives that they have for doing so can be suspect. In Arizona, you should only expect to pay about $3,000 to $15,000 for a first offense. For felony DUI's, you can expect to pay between $15,000 to $25,000. If the lawyer would charge an hourly rate, expect only to pay about $350.00 per hour.

In getting legal services, the Internet can serve as one of the best places to start your search. However, the Internet is also home to some unscrupulous people who only want to fool you out of your money. Given this, it would be best to get an idea of what you can expect to see in the market so that you can avoid being fooled by lawyers who cannot give you the legal services that you need.

Arizona DUI Records

Similar to arrest records, Arizona DUI records are a collection of cases wherein the offenders are charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is available for public viewing and is primarily used by insurance companies and agencies wishing to hire a candidate. The purpose is to make sure that the individual has no criminal records related to drunken driving.

Registrations of the DUI records are done by the motor vehicle departments and the law enforcement agencies. Once a person is featured in the DUI records, normal life recedes into the distant past. Some aspects of the punishment include alcohol classes, enormous fines, and increased insurance costs. To avoid the legal complications, it is advisable to keep evidence in support of the driving school attended or fines paid.

Several companies in Arizona do regular, scheduled Arizona DUI Record checkups. Failure to inform the employer of a recorded offense results in the immediate loss of work and initiation of legal proceedings against the employee.

DUI records also make a note of less severe offenses like a parking ticket. In such cases, once the fine has been paid, it is recommended that the offender ensure that the authorities remove the name from the record. This is important because if the government agency fails to correct it on time, it leads to several complications, especially if the offense is committed following a theft of the vehicle. It can result in a case of mistaken identity and false assumption of an individual having served time for drunk driving. Inaccuracies in the DUI record can hike up the insurance rates and wreck the chances of success even for the most qualified candidate.

Simple safety precautions and advanced knowledge about Arizona DUI record allows one to correct the errors and avoid complications.

Arizona DUI Attorneys Criteria

DUI is an acronym for driving under influence (of alcohol or other banned substances). DUI offences are punishable, requiring a hearing in the court. Depending upon the level of alcohol or banned substances in the blood and any injury to man and property in case of an accident, the court decides the punishment for the offender.

It is very important in such offences to get the best possible attorneys, since though the offence may not seem big enough to the offender, the law sees it otherwise and gives the court a right to impose severe punishments.

There are a few criteria that need to be kept in mind, while selecting an attorney in Arizona, in case of a DUI offence. The first and perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is to never ever think of defending the case without an attorney since the intricacies of the law can only be understood by a DUI Attorney. And yet, not all DUI attorneys are the same and the decision of selecting an attorney could have a big impact on any case.

There may be some attorneys who will attempt to con an accused into something unethical. Falling for such cheap tricks could lead to ruining one's case. One should also not fall for advertising or marketing gimmicks. Again, it helps to remember that getting an attorney who is not too busy helps, since he or she would have the requisite time and drive to take up the case seriously.

The history of the attorney needs to be checked. There are attorneys with a chronic habit of always pleading guilty for their clients. This may not really be a good idea in every circumstance and therefore it may not be a good idea to hire him. Also, if the attorney does not have experience handling DUI cases, it is best not to hire him. Look for an attorney who has handled hundreds of cases. In DUI cases, the experience of the attorney makes the real big difference.