How I got here.
Get to know Amanda Bynum, owner of AJB Law firm, LLC in Tucson Arizona, an attorney specializing in criminal defense and small business legal services. Interesting mix? Allow her to tell you why in this post.
Pima County Justice Court Indigent Defense
If you are a defendant in Pima County Justice court, and the judge appointed me to represent you, this post was made for you. It should answer some basic questions and prepare you for what to expect going forward.
When a judge appoints me to represent you, my role is to look at the evidence the government intends to use against you, the applicable laws, and your personal circumstances in order to advise you about options. I will also act as your advocate and representative throughout the criminal process–both with the County Attorney, and with the Judge and jury
I was charged with a Felony: What is a Preliminary Hearing?
After an arrest, at the initial appearance, the Judge set a Preliminary Hearing date. This is also the deadline for the County Attorney to decide how to proceed with your case. Behind the scenes, the arresting officers are preparing reports and taking the reports to the County Attorney’s Office where they meet with a Prosecuting Attorney to discuss the evidence and law in your case.
Held without bond in Arizona?
Caselaw has defined proof evident presumption great as “all of the evidence, fully considered by the court, makes it plain and clear to the understanding, and satisfactory and apparent to the well-guarded, dispassionate judgment of the court that the accused committed” one of the designated non bailable offenses. The proof presented must be “substantial” but need not meet the “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” standard.
What to expect after a DUI arrest.
If you've been charged with Driving Under the Influence, you are probably overwhelmed and you probably have a lot of questions and are experiencing a lot of emotions.
If you are stopped by police and you are suspected of DUI, that arrest can have lifelong consequences that you may not be aware of. As your blood alcohol concentration rises or as the number of DUI arrests increase, the consequences will increase.
Why is my license suspended when I am still innocent until proven guilty of DUI?
In Arizona, when you get your license, you agree that you will lose your license if you are arrested for DUI. (You probably didn’t read the small print, no one does).
The law says that if an officer arrests you for DUI, and law enforcement gets your breath or blood pursuant to Admin per se, then your license will be suspended if the results are above a .08 or a prohibited drug is detected. Your license will also be suspended if results are not available, and you do not ask for a hearing.
Driving Under the Influence in Arizona Comes with Serious Consequences
If you’ve been stopped for driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, it can be a terrifying experience. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, but unlike many other Misdemeanor crimes, a conviction for DUI comes with mandatory jail time, fines, license consequences, and other collateral consequences.
Shoplifting at the self-checkout?
Why my client’s shoplifting charges were dropped.
Why your attorney MUST review the police body camera footage
Why your attorney MUST review the police body camera footage