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If you have been arrested and subsequently summoned to appear before the La Paz County Superior Court for a charge related to a DUI, knowing the location and how to communicate with the court is crucial. The La Paz County Superior Court is located at 1316 Kofa Ave., Suite 607 Parker, AZ 85344, and the phone number for the clerk is (928) 669-6131.
While legal trouble can be daunting and carry a great deal of stress, the process can be far less taxing when you understand the process. If La Paz County is the court system you are dealing with, the following information will likely ease your stress and prepare you to appear in court confident and with your head held high. It is important to remember if you are facing any DUI or Criminal charges in La Paz County, to contact an experienced DUI & criminal defense lawyer. Please call the Rosenstein Law Group’s expert La Paz County defense attorneys at (480) 248-7666 to schedule a free consultation.
If you receive a DUI charge in La Paz County, Arizona, the various courts that your case could be heard range from a Municipal Court, Justice Court, or the La Paz County Superior Court. The specific facts surrounding your charge of DUI will determine which of these courts hear your case.
If you received a DUI where no one is injured, that is considered a misdemeanor. Misdemeanors typically fall under the criminal jurisdiction of Municipal courts. Similarly, Justice courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanors and some preliminary hearings related to felony charges.
However, if you are charged with a felony DUI, your case will likely fall to the La Paz Superior Court. The DUI law specialists at Rosenstein Law Group can help you fight these charges. Please call (480) 248-7666 to schedule a free DUI charge consultation.
If you are facing criminal charges in the La Paz County Superior Court, the process of your case will typically follow these steps:
This is the first court appearance required for a defendant. If a defendant is already in custody, this occurs within 24 hours. If a defendant is out of custody, a document will be sent containing the date and time of the initial appearance. This document is delivered to the defendant and is known as a summons.
This is where the formal charges against the defendant will be articulated, as well as the right to an attorney. If a defendant cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to them during this appearance. The conditions for release and a future court date will be given to the defendant.
The defendant’s release is predicated on the terms of the bond given at the initial appearance.
During this meeting in court, both defense counsel and prosecutor meet in court. This provides the defense counsel and the prosecutor an opportunity to resolve the case. If they are able to reach an agreement, a sentencing hearing is scheduled, providing a judge the opportunity to consider the matter. If counsels are unable to come to an agreement, the court then schedules a preliminary hearing.
This is where the prosecutor gives evidence to the court in order to prove probable cause that allows the charges to proceed. The judge has two choices. The judge may dismiss the case outright for a lack of evidence or order a trial.
It is possible that your case becomes “scratched” at this stage. Essentially, when a case is scratched, the charges are temporarily dismissed. However, this only applies to felony charges, and still allows for the prosecution to file charges for up to 2 years. If a case is scratched, that does not mean the defendant is safe just yet.
This panel of jurors consists of 16 people. It is an alternative route for the prosecutor to bring charges. The grand jury must evaluate whether the evidence warrants the existence of probable cause alleged by the prosecutor. If probable cause is found by the grand jury, and indictment is brought against the defendant.
This provides the defendant an opportunity to enter a plea. A plea can come in the form of guilty, and not guilty. If the defendant decides to plead “not guilty” a court date will be provided. If the defendant decides to enter a plea of “guilty” then a sentencing hearing will be provided.
If a criminal case makes its way to trial, the burden is on the state to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the crime was committed by the defendant. The juries in the Superior Court are comprised of eight to twelve people depending on the charges. A unanimous verdict must be reached, or else the judge may rule in favor of a mistrial. When a mistrial is declared, retrying the defendant is still an option.
If both the prosecutor and defendant are able to agree to a bench trial, there is no need for a jury, as the decision falls directly to the judge. If a verdict of “not guilty” is reached, the defendant’s charged are dismissed, and retrying is not an option. The defendant is then safe from that charge coming back to life.
If a guilty verdict is reached, the defendant may be subjected to a wide range of sentences. At this point, a judge will set a date for sentencing, which allows the defense and the prosecution to bring forth evidence. The judge will then make a decision on what sentence is applicable to the defendant’s conduct.
If you or a loved one find themselves facing DUI or criminal charges, reach out to the experienced DUI and Criminal Law Specialists at Rosenstein Law Group. Our expert DUI attorneys in Tempe and La Paz County are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (480) 248-7666.