Call Now (480) 389-3533
CASE EVALUATION

Zachary Law

Schedule A Consultation
Click Here

    Contact Us

    Please prove you are human by selecting the truck.

     

    Blog

    Blog

    This could be a wild ride

    nx_cannabis_okWith the legalization of marijuana increasing, some entrepreneurs have launched businesses that relate to cannabis use, and one is offering what I believe to be a wild ride.  A company in Colorado picks up clients at the airport and chauffeurs them to ski resorts, hotels, shopping areas, and other special venues and events.  Nothing new there, you may think.  But there is a unique twist to this business:  passengers are offered marijuana and permitted to smoke as they are driven to their destinations.  And yes, it is legal in that state, as long as there is no payment made for the cannabis and the customers are adults.

    As an experienced DUI attorney, the question about the driver concerns me most in this story.  Why?  I hope that regular readers of this blog already know the answer.  Because marijuana is still considered an impairment in terms of DUI laws.  If a driver is under the influence of drugs, he may be endangering his passengers (as well as himself, other drivers, and pedestrians).  Whether he is a licensed chauffeur or simply a licensed driver, he is still subject to the same laws.  And, if a legally mandated drug metabolite test shows there is marijuana in his system, DUI charges may be straight ahead for him.

    Perhaps there is a due consideration given to safety, and the drivers do not use drugs while on the job.  People make their own choices, but the DUI laws are clear.  Driving while impaired carries legal consequences if you are convicted.  If you are unsure about how these laws relate to you, or have drug DUI-related issues, talk to an experienced attorney at Zachary Law Group.  Come in for our FREE 30-minute case evaluation.  We’ll talk about your legal rights, your questions and concerns, and how we may be able to help you “Zach-It” to achieve a positive legal outcome. You don’t need to climb behind the wheel to make a phone call.  Contact us at 1-855-Zach-law.

     

    Remember, drug DUI is still illegal

    Drugs3Remember, drug DUI is still illegal.  Even though marijuana is now legal in some states, for some uses, it is still a substance that the law considers to be an impairment in terms of driving.  Specifically, if a driver is stopped on suspicion of DUI, if marijuana’s chemical residue is found in the driver’s blood, DUI charges can follow.  Scientific and medical studies continue to turn up discoveries about the effects of marijuana, both in the short term and over time. At present, one major university and its medical school are studying the detrimental effects on memory from chronic marijuana use.

    You may ask, why would a DUI attorney care about something so academic?  Well, I care about what the law says about impairment, the substances that cause it, and the crimes that result from it.  If you are a cannabis user and become involved in a DUI-related situation, telling an officer or a judge that “I don’t remember what happened” probably isn’t going to help you achieve the best possible outcome.  And that is not legal advice; it is merely a commonsense observation.

    Whether it ever becomes completely, unconditionally legal in the U.S. or not, marijuana will have its proponents, its users, and people who profit from it.  And logically speaking, it follows that drugged driving charges relating to marijuana use will also continue to occur.  As an Arizona DUI defense attorney, it’s my responsibility to stay informed on this subject.  So if you have questions about Arizona DUI laws and marijuana use, or you find yourself facing a drug-related DUI charge, contact Zachary Law Group.  We  offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation, to begin assessing your legal situation.  When we take on your case, we work toward the best possible outcome and “Zach-It”! Law enforcement isn’t going to forget about DUI.  If you need help, call 1-855-Zach-law.

    Underage DUI

    Underage DUIHere in this blog, we’ve paid a lot of attention recently to the topic of DUI:  the laws, the penalties, the substances, the basics and beyond.  But so far, we have not addressed some drivers who are greatly at risk for DUI-related offenses.  These are drivers under the age of 21.  And those drivers are legally underage to drink in Arizona.

    State law is quite clear in terms of underage drinking while driving, Arizona is known as a “zero tolerance” state.  Anyone under the legal drinking age of 21 who is found to have any amount of alcohol in his/her system will be subject to DUI charges.  Even if they are not found to be impaired while driving, the actual consumption of alcohol is the deciding factor.  Penalties are severe.  For a first offense:  24 hours in jail, over $1000 in fines, and license suspension.  For a second conviction within seven years of the first:  30-90 days in jail, fines up to$2500, and another license suspension.

    It gets even worse for under-21 drivers who are convicted.  Most likely they will lose their auto insurance, and they will likely face much higher rates and restrictions if they reapply.  They may face other charges relating to alcohol possession, too, such as the presence of underage passengers.

    I hope that all parents will do their best to educate their young drivers about alcohol consumption, as well as about the risks of driving while impaired.  In reality, though, people of all ages make choices.  Sometimes I believe it is human nature to want to try things one probably shouldn’t.  However, we must all learn from our experiences.

    The law can be a lot tougher than parents, and young drivers can face severe consequences if they are convicted of an alcohol-related DUI.  At Zachary Law Group we offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation to answer questions about DUI laws and how they can affect drivers of any age.  If you, or someone you know who is under 21 has a DUI-related issue, please give us a call.  This isn’t a parent or a friend speaking:  it’s someone with a lot of DUI-related legal experience, ready to help you “Zach-It”!  Our number is  1-855-Zach-law.

     

    Would you wager your future on a home drug test?

    Would you wager your future on a home drug testA well-known national drugstore chain offers a discount on a h0me drug test for marijuana or cocaine.  I am not implying anything relating to the quality or reliability of these products.  And this isn’t legal advice.  I believe that at-home medical tests can save money, save time, and perhaps offer some peace of mind.

    But speaking as an experienced attorney who deals daily with DUI legal matters, I would pose this hypothetical question to anyone who might find themselves impaired even to the slightest degree by drugs and who might be considering getting behind the wheel of a vehicle:  would you wager your future on a home  drug test?

    Should you be stopped by law enforcement on the suspicion of DUI, it is not likely that your home test results will be a significant factor in how your case proceeds.  There will be other legally mandated medically-supervised tests, such as marijuana or cocaine metabolite tests, that most likely will supersede your home results.  In addition, there are the laws, and the people who enforce those laws, putting your actions to the test, so to speak.  They will also impact the decisions regarding your future, should DUI charges proceed to conviction.

    I believe that anyone facing a situation involving drugged driving or DUI-related issues should seek the advice of a knowledgeable DUI attorney.  Here at Zachary Law Group we offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation that can help provide answers to your questions.  When we take on your legal case, we find the best possible solution and “Zach-It”!  Don’t sit at home worrying when you can take action to help yourself.  Give us a call soon, at 1-855-Zach-law.

    Wet or dry, it is still DUI

    Wet or dry it is still DUIIn the 1977 James Bond movie “The Spy Who Loved Me,”as I do, you’ll likely recall the scene where Agent 007 drove a gorgeous Lotus automobile from land into the ocean.  Sir Roger Moore and Barbara Bach cruise along underwater and then emerge perfectly dry on shore.  Bond opens the window and drops out a wayward fish.  Now, back in 1977, that car-boat was just a cool idea.  But now, here in 2014, the WaterCar Panther, an amphibious vehicle that drives on both land and water, is available for “only “a few hundred thousand dollars.

    Wet or dry, it is still DUI.  It doesn’t matter where you’re driving, or what, if you are caught driving under the influence.  If law enforcement suspects you are DUI, the surface you are driving on is not the issue.  Your actions, and the results of your breath and/or blood tests, are what will determine if you are going to be charged.  And whether that charge is a misdemeanor or felony depends on many other factors, such as injuries, past convictions, or damage to vehicles.

    Leave it to James Bond to get himself out of dangerous, life-threatening situations.  That’s fiction.  The fact is, if you find yourself facing a DUI-related situation or legal issue, you may have to look to an experienced attorney for help.  That’s where we come in.  We’re Zachary Law Group. Come in and talk.  We offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation to discuss your legal concerns relating to DUI issues.  And, if  you choose to work with us, we take your case and “Zach-It”!  That’s what we call finding real-world solutions while establishing, asserting and defending your legal rights.

    You can contact us at 1-855-Zach-law.

     

    Hit-and-run DUI can run you into a felony

    Criminal2 6.45.51 PMHere is a question for my readers:  What’s worse than driving drunk or drugged and getting into an accident?  Answer:  Driving drunk or drugged, getting into an accident, and fleeing the scene of the accident.  You can call it hit-and-run, failure to stop, or leaving the scene. It all comes down to this:  hit-and-run DUI can run you into a felony.

    As readers of this blog may already know, a DUI conviction can be a simple misdemeanor.  However, repeat offenses and other contributing factors can add up to a DUI felony charge in Arizona. Leaving the scene of an accident that involves any injury or death is always a felony.  Leaving the scene of an accident when only vehicle damage occurs is usually a misdemeanor.

    You may think you would be lucky if all you had to pay for was damage to a vehicle, or a couple of vehicles.  Although “lucky” is not a term anyone would normally associate with a DUI charge, vehicle damage is certainly different from harming a person with your actions behind the wheel. Because the other penalties, in cases of death and injury plus failure to stop, include incarceration from four to ten years added on consecutively to other time being served for other charges, driver’s license revocation from five to ten years, fines and other restitution, and the use of an IID (ignition interlock device).

    It is common sense–not legal advice–that if you are involved in any kind of motor accident, to stop immediately and call the police.  If you are involved in a DUI situation, your actions at the scene may have major consequences.  If you would like to know more about how DUI laws may affect you, or you are facing any DUI-related situation, contact Zachary Law Group.  We offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation to help identify any legal issues that concern you.  Then we can work together to “Zach-It” – that is, establish and protect your legal rights, and pursue the best possible solution.

    Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you believe you need legal advice. Contact us at 1-855-Zach-law.

    Call now
    (855)ZACH-LAW
    To Schedule A Consultation

    Divorce Lawyers and Criminal Attorneys in Gilbert, AZ