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    There is no camouflage for DUI

    cc69e2352025c924c885Late last year, USA Today reported that most popular car colors worldwide for 2013 were white, silver, and black.

    I was wondering:  why wouldn’t more people want their cars to be brighter colors, say, red, or turquoise, or neon green?  Perhaps the choice of a neutral color suggests that drivers want to blend in with traffic, so to speak, and not stand out or be particularly memorable.  Again, why?  Perhaps people like white, silver, and black cars.  Or maybe there is another reason:  some drivers simply hope that law enforcement doesn’t notice them as they cruise down the highways and byways of Arizona.

    Just because the most popular car color choices are neutral hues, this doesn’t mean a neutral-colored vehicle is going to provide protective camouflage, so to speak, if the driver is impaired.  There is no camouflage for DUI.  A seemingly bland-looking car is not going to help anyone get away with driving while impaired.  It may work in the desert for snakes, but it sure won’t work for drivers on the asphalt of America.

    Of course, everyone has their preferences about what they want their vehicle to look like.  That isn’t the issue here at all!  That’s why not all cars are the same color.  And each year, car companies present us with new color choices and finishes to keep us interested.

    Whatever the vehicle, whatever the color, it is not going to help you in a DUI situation.  If you need legal help relating to a DUI charge, your wisest choice is always an experienced attorney. Here at Zachary Law Group, we are ready to take a look at your problem and “Zach-It!”  You may want to take advantage of our FREE 30-minute case evaluation, with one of our DUI defense attorneys.  Don’t wait in the hope your problem will go away by itself — call us today at 1-855-Zach-law.

    Why quick fixes to debt can add up to worse problems

    Briefcase full of moneyWhen debt becomes a serious obstacle to everyday life,  it can feel overwhelming, shameful, and hopeless.  And when fears about the future take over, people can become extremely susceptible to the temptations of easy solutions to their problems.  Like the quick fixes that TV commercials or online banners may offer.  Fast, easy, you can’t be turned away, and so on.  Peace of mind is offered along with money or plans to help ease your debt situation.

    Well, the expression “if it seems too good to be true, it isn’t” definitely applies here.  Because many of the easy fixes offered  have hidden costs and traps that can actually make a debtor’s situation much worse.  A recent article in U. S. News & World Report addresses some of these traps:

    • Borrowing money from a 401k account.  If you withdraw money earlier than what the law sets as appropriate, you will face IRS penalties.
    • Entering into a payday loan arrangement.  You will, of course, have to pay back the loan and the interest on the loan – and now you have incurred another debt!
    • Turning to a debt consolidation service.  These are companies that are not helping you out of the goodness of their hearts – their fees can be high and ongoing, as can interest rates.  And if you consolidate your debt by means of a home equity loan or line of credit, you could face losing your home to foreclosure if, again, you are not able to meet your financial obligations.

    However intimidating your debt problem might seem, there is no reason to think you have nowhere to turn for help.  Your first move should be to talk to an experienced, knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney at Zachary Law Group. We can answer your questions, and together, discuss your options regarding your debt situation, and which ones might provide the best outcome for you.  In fact, we offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation.  So don’t lose hope about how to approach your debt situation.  Let us get to work on your behalf, to “Zach-It!” All you have to do is pick up the phone and contact us at 1-855-Zach-law.

    Drug DUI in Arizona

    DrugLawDrug DUI in Arizona can be misdemeanors or felonies, just like those involving drinking.

    Most people, when they hear the term DUI, associate the term “under the influence” with drinking too much alcohol.  But the fact is, in Arizona and elsewhere, many DUI offenses relate not to alcohol impairment, but to drugs.  The effect of many chemical substances on a driver’s judgment, reflexes, and other aspects of operating a vehicle can be as devastating as alcohol’s are, and the penalties are just as severe.

    The test that law enforcement personnel may order to determine drug impairment is a blood test, since it is fair to assume that a breath test may not reveal drug consumption as readily as it does alcohol levels.  In either scenario, if the driver’s blood does test positive for any (illegal) drug, a DUI charge can result.  What’s more, in certain situations even legal prescription medications that cause impaired driving can lead to a DUI charge.  And, if you’re wondering if that reference to prescriptions includes legal medical marijuana, the answer is absolutely yes.  Drug DUIs do include marijuana as a potentially “actionable” substance.

    Of course, nothing in this blog should be taken as legal advice.  If you have a DUI-related problem, your first thought should be to acquire experienced legal advice from an attorney well-versed in DUI matters.  If you have questions about what Arizona law has to say about drug DUI, or you find yourself in a situation that calls for legal assistance, you may want to bring your issues to an experienced attorney at Zachary Law Group.  We offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation to get started on finding solutions for you.  We can go to work on your behalf, to assert and protect your legal rights.  That’s how we work; we “Zach-It!”  Contact us today at 1-855-Zach-law.

    How Arizona law defines the substances involved in a DUI

    dui attorney lawyerWhat exactly does Arizona law have to say about the substances involved in a DUI?  It does not come any plainer, or clearer than this.  To paraphrase Arizona law A.R.S. 28-1381(A)(1): It is unlawful for a person to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle while that person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, a vapor-releasing substance containing a toxic substance or any combination of liquor, drugs or vapor-releasing substances if the person is impaired to the slightest degree.

    DUI includes not just drinking, but also the consumption of drugs.  And the law does not differentiate between drugs that are ingested, smoked, inhaled, or taken internally by other methods…to put it a more colloquial way, in terms of law enforcement and how DUI is determined, drugs is drugs.

    Wait a minute, you say. What if you attend a children’s birthday party and inhale something from the helium-filled balloons?  What if a party host serves “enhanced” brownies? Or chocolate-covered rum balls?  What if you park in a garage full of carbon monoxide fumes? Or a person with diabetes takes too much, or too little medication, and then has just one alcoholic beverage?  Are those things going to get me arrested, jailed, or what?

    You can play “what if” until it’s no longer entertaining, but being charged with drug-related DUI in any form is no joking matter.  Incarceration, felony convictions, large fines, none of those is a joke, and all of those can accompany a DUI offense, depending on the circumstances.

    Getting behind the wheel while impaired may result from not thinking clearly, whatever you believe may be the cause.  Of course, nothing in this blog should be taken as legal advice.  If you have a DUI-related problem, your first thought should be to acquire experienced legal advice from an attorney well-versed in DUI matters.  At Zachary Law Group, you are welcome to come in for a FREE 30-minute case evaluation.  From there, we will do our best to assert your legal rights and represent you in court should that become necessary.  We’re ready to “Zach-It!” for you, but you need to make the first move.  Contact us today at 1-855-Zach-law.

     

    DUI and Arizona law

    going Green is what it takes for Global health.DUI and Arizona laws, like drugs, drinking and driving, don’t mix. Arizona law, specifically, A.R.S. 28-1381(A)(1) states, (and this is a little bit paraphrased):

    It is unlawful for a person to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle while that person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, a vapor-releasing substance containing a toxic substance or any combination of liquor, drugs or vapor-releasing substances if the person is impaired to the slightest degree.

    Perhaps you are familiar with the saying about being “a little bit pregnant” – for the purposes of this article, we are going to examine what it means to be driving while a “little bit impaired”.  Like “a little bit pregnant” there is no such thing.  You either are or you’re not.  And in Arizona, “impaired” means even to the slightest degree.

    As far as Arizona law enforcement is concerned, driving impaired means, at minimum, a DUI charge is forthcoming.  A little bit impaired, intoxicated, buzzed, stoned, tipsy… no matter what you might call it, the law has a zero-tolerance approach to driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.  The rest is all just semantics.

    “A little bit pregnant” is still pregnant.  “Impaired to the slightest degree” can get you thrown in jail.

    Of course, nothing in this blog should be taken as legal advice.  For that, you should contact an attorney; preferably one with experience in the area in which you are seeking counsel. Please remember, a DUI offense is not the occasion to try to talk yourself out of trouble.  If anything, it’s time to show at least a little bit of common sense.   I believe you can benefit if you find yourself in a situation like this by seeking assistance from an experienced DUI defense attorney at Zachary Law Group.  We have our own unique approach to helping clients, and finding legal solutions that work, both inside and outside the courtroom.   We’ll “Zach-It!” and that could make a great deal of difference in the outcome of your case. Contact us today at 1-855-Zach-law.

    The consequences of fraud crimes

    Woman plugging earsFraud, and the many types of crimes woven around it, can make for a fascinating story  in a movie or a novel.  It’s a category of crime involving people and deception.  But here in the real world, where I practice criminal defense law, the subject of fraud is a very serious, often life-changing one.

    You may only be familiar with the definition of fraud in terms of something being false, or fake.  In criminal law terms, fraud can take many forms.  I want to discuss these types of criminal charges, and their penalties here in Arizona.  Here is a brief breakdown:

    Credit card theft is a Class 5 felony, and even a first offense includes jail time.

    Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card can be misdemeanor or felony, depending on whether you are using the card or receiving anything purchased with an illegally obtained card. Jail or prison time is mandatory.

    Forgery is a Class 4 felony. Making, altering, or possessing a forged document, or trying to pass one off as legal or genuine, carries a prison sentence even for first-time offenders.

    Obtaining a Signature by Deception:  Obtaining someone’s signature with intent to defraud, or misrepresenting any information to obtain it is a Class 1 misdemeanor, but carries penalties of prison time and fines.

    Identity Theft, a Class 4 felony, is so prevalent in Arizona that it is treated very seriously in legal channels. The penalties for stealing/using another person’s identity include prison time plus additional charges for any fraud/forgery crimes committed using another person’s name.

    Criminal Impersonation can refer to persons using false identification to obtain employment, and can be charged as a Class 6 felony or a Class 1 misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. In any case, jail/prison time is incurred.

    I believe that only in books and movies should you ever see someone facing fraud charges defending themselves in a court of law.  It may make for interesting drama, but it may not be the best choice you can make. Call Zachary Law Group for a FREE 30-minute case evaluation.  Our experienced attorneys will go to work asserting and protecting your legal rights in court. When we “Zach-It!” you’ll know we are working toward the best possible resolution to your case. Contact us today at 1-855-Zach-law.

     

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