Blog - Tips & News | Robert A. Dodell

October 27, 2021

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Criminal Legal Defense

Set Aside Criminal Records in Arizona

We live in a country and society where we like to offer people a second chance after they make a serious mistake. This is also applicable to certain individuals who commit certain crimes. Each state has different rules or laws related to the “sealing” or “expungement” of an adult’s criminal record for state-level crimes. As any good Arizona lawyer would tell you, Arizona does not have an expungement process. In lieu of this process, they have what they refer to as “set aside” laws. What does it mean to people that have a criminal record? It means that there is […]

October 18, 2021

Categories

DUI Legal Defense

What to Do When Pulled Over for a DUI in Arizona

A police officer will stop you if they see a traffic violation. If they believe that you have been driving under the influence, you will get charged with the criminal charge of DUI.. It’s important for you to know what to do if you are pulled over for a DUI. You might want to consider following these steps. Find a Safe Place to Pullover You should make a plan to stop as soon as the officer signals you to pull over. You should pull over immediately in the safest place possible. The location that you pull over to can have […]

September 23, 2021

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Uncategorized

What Does Stacking Charges in a Criminal Case Mean?

Stacking Charges in a Criminal Case Law enforcement officers have been known to charge an individual with as many crimes as possible when they make an arrest. As officers of the law, they have the right to use their discretion when determining criminal charges. However, this could result in more criminal charges than is necessarily fair in a specific situation. When this happens, it is known as criminal charge stacking and can allow a prosecutor to treat separate offences as prior convictions. This means that, even if a defendant has no prior convictions, they can be treated as if they […]

August 26, 2021

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Uncategorized

How Repeat DUI Offenses Are Gaining Increased Penalties in Arizona

Many people find themselves on the wrong side of the law for various reasons. One of the common charges for motorists is driving while under influence. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, one of the things to do is hire an experienced DUI attorney. People who are charged and convicted for DUI offences risk facing long-term consequences, including significant jail time. Additionally, it might be very difficult for you to get a job or even rent a residential apartment after a conviction. As if that’s not enough, you may end up paying more than others in terms […]

August 23, 2021

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Uncategorized

Can You Trust the Validity of Breathalyzer Results in Arizona?

Are Breathalyzer Tests Accurate? It’s common for people to be pulled over by law enforcement due to a suspicion of driving under the influence. The law enforcement officer may then try to determine a person’s blood-alcohol content by asking them to take a breathalyzer test. They will have to blow into a machine designed to determine the level of alcohol in their system. Should their blood-alcohol content register as, over the legal limit, they will be arrested for DUI. However, the results of a breathalyzer test are often controversial. Accuracy Many people don’t realize that the efficiency of a breathalyzer […]

June 28, 2021

Categories

Felony

Arizona Implied Consent Law

In Arizona, you face conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) if there is evidence that the driver has a 0.08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) or higher. The proof of your BAC comes from a breathalyzer or blood test. You might think that, by refusing the test, you can beat a DUI conviction. However, Arizona implied consent law makes such a strategy ineffective. Under this law, refusing a blood or breath test can complicate your ability to drive. What is Implied Consent? When you drive on Arizona’s streets and roads, you give permission to be tested if you’re stopped or […]

May 31, 2021

Categories

Criminal Legal Defense

What Is the Insanity Defense?

If you’ve watched courtroom dramas and cop television shows, you’ve likely heard of the insanity defense before. This type of defense is sometimes brought up as a joke, but the insanity defense is a very real thing that can be used when answering a charge in a criminal proceeding. Unfortunately, many people have the wrong idea about exactly what an insanity defense entails as well as how effective the plea is when entered into court. What is the Insanity Defense? Pleading insanity in an Arizona court is a plea that admits the criminal action took place, but it argues that […]