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After you have been caught driving under the influence it can be a scary time. After being arrested for DUI, you may be facing potential jail time and thousands of dollars in fines. You need to turn to lawyers that you can trust. Ideally, you need an attorney that is board certified. That has over 100 years of combined experience in the Arizona Justice courts. You need to turn to The Rosenstein Law Group. With two board certified attorneys and over 100 years of experience. The Rosenstein Law Group has seen and handled all types of cases from misdemeanors to felony DUI. The compassionate yet fierce advocates at the Rosenstein Law Group serve the entire Valley and state. Schedule an appointment or call 480-248-7666 today if you want to be represented by the best. Call the Rosenstein Law Offices today for assistance with your DUI charge.
West McDowell Justice Court is located at 620 west Jackson Street in Phoenix, Arizona. It covers the area just west of downtown. The West McDowell Justice Court boundaries are Glendale Avenue to the north, Lower Buckeye Road to the South, 27th Avenue to the east, and 43rd avenue to the west. An exact map can be found at the Maricopa County official website. It is important to go to the court you were directed to when you received your DUI. Courts can only hear cases that they have “jurisdiction” over or are in charge of. If your case is from an area that they do not have jurisdiction over then your case can be thrown out because they are not in charge of it.
The West McDowell Justice court is currently presided over by the Honorable Michele Reagan. Judge Reagen is a former state representative, senator, and Arizona’s 20th secretary of state. Currently, she chairs the Justice Courts Legislative committee and is a member of the professional standards and policy committee. Judge Reagen is committed to enforcing DUI laws. So, it is important to have a lawyer who knows the law and the West McDowell Justice Court well.
A DUI case usually follows these steps:
An initial appearance can be confused with an arraignment because they are similar. During the initial appearance, you will be informed of your rights and defense options. Bail is often set by the judge. At this point, you do not need to be informed of their rights to counsel, nor do you have the right to be represented by counsel. The initial appearance allows a judge to set the tone for the upcoming proceedings and allows for all the prerequisites to be sorted out. There is a possibility that the District Attorney does not file charges. This can lead to your case getting “scratched.” When the case is scratched it means that the government paused your case. At any time in the next two years, they can unpause your case.
Another important stage of the criminal process is a status conference. Simply put, this is a meeting that occurs before trial where the attorneys and the presiding judge meet. In this meeting, the defense and prosecution exchange information about the case, and evidence, and often negotiate possible resolutions.
Arraignment is the more formalized appearance before a judge that is taken at the beginning stages of criminal proceedings. An arraignment occurs after formal charges have been brought against you by the District Attorney. Generally, Arraignment is regarded as the start of the criminal process. Here, the Defendant will be advised of the charges filed against him and will be read their constitutional rights. An important distinction between an initial appearance and the arraignment is that during the arraignment, legal counsel is allowed to be present. Here, counsel can provide the Defendant with advice and representation in entering a reasonable plea.
There are other pretrial conferences that are extremely important like the case management conference and the trial readiness conference. This is where most of the negotiating for plea deals will take place. This is also where evidence between the two sides is shared, and special instructions are given by the judge. Additionally, any remaining motions may be filed. It is important to have an experienced lawyer at this stage so you have someone who understands the evidence and knows how strong or weak your case may be. Knowing this will help you make the decision to settle, take a plea deal or continue to court.
The trial and sentencing are the most critical and technical times in your case. This is where you will find out what impact your DUI will have on your life. In Arizona, a DUI is a serious crime that carries serious consequences. Even for your first offense, there is a possibility of jail time. The amount of jail time fines and time spent with a suspended license only increases with the severity and number of DUIs you have had. At the trial you will state if you plead guilty or not guilty, arguments will be made and evidence presented. In a jury trial, your life and case will be decided by strangers. The entire trial is formal and is difficult to navigate all of the formalities. That is why it is crucial to have an attorney that knows the West McDowell Justice Court.
The offices of the Rosenstein Law Group are here to help you navigate this difficult process. Do not let the state dictate your life after being charged with a DUI. Call 480-248-7666 or schedule a free consultation online today.