Sheriff Joe ongoing legal matter There’s a new Sheriff in town. At long last, the contentious elections are finalized. The polls were not only heated in the national election. Here in Arizona we had some controversial votes to cast. Along with legalizing recreational marijuana, Maricopa County had to decide on who will run the sheriff’s office. The results of […]
Arizona DUI / Criminal Defense Law Blog
How Many People Were Arrested for DUI in Tempe Over Halloween Weekend
Halloween is one of the busiest weekends for DUI arrests. People are having fun and going to dress up parties. The good news is throughout Arizona, DUIs over Halloween weekend were down in 2016. Compared to the 320 DUI arrests last year, only 209 people were arrested this year. Although the arrest rate is down, the average […]
Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Order of Protection Hearing
People use order of protection interchangeably with restraining order. Essentially, they are the same thing. To receive an order of protection, you must prove to the court that a person you live with, are romantically involved with or have been romantically involved with is harassing or threatening you. Harassment could be in the form of […]
5 Things NOT to Do If You’re Involved in a Collision
Sometimes it is just as important to know what not to do in a situation as it is to know what you should do. This is definitely true when you are involved in a collision. Auto collisions always take you by surprise. It is easy to operate in reaction mode without really thinking about the […]
The Lasting Effects of Having a Criminal Record
When people think of a criminal, they often have in mind some version of a character they’ve seen on television. “Regular” people are not criminals, certainly not the average citizen. At Matthew Lopez Law PLLC we work with people every day whose lives have been turned upside down due to criminal charges levied against them. […]
Received a DUI in Glendale, Arizona – Now What?
Because of the Cardinals, Coyotes, concerts and shows, Glendale is one of the busiest cities in Arizona when it comes to DUI arrests. Police know people are tailgating and partying at the venues. If you’ve ever been to an event at Westgate, you know navigating the one way streets can be extremely difficult. Police are looking […]
Oktoberfest in Arizona Leads to Hundreds of Minor in Consumption Tickets
Oktoberfest in Arizona The past few weekends have been the first cooler weather weekends of the year, marking the start of festival season in the Phoenix area. Tempe Town Lake is the perfect venue for large events with its open grass area, beautiful view of the lake, and proximity to lively Mill Avenue. One of the […]
Types of DUI Charges in Arizona
Driving under the influence is generally described as operating or controlling a motor vehicle while intoxicated, either by alcohol or drugs. In the State of Arizona, there are three basic types of DUI charges, with graduating levels of severity. The seriousness of the charge will be based on several key factors including previous convictions and […]
Should I Hire an Attorney in Arizona for a Felony Drug Charge?
Arizona law classifies drugs into two basic categories: dangerous drugs and marijuana. Use or possession of a dangerous drug in Arizona is classified as a Class 4 Felony. Possession of dangerous drugs for sale or manufacturing or to administer to another individual is a Class 2 Felony. Drugs are further divided into 6 categories of […]
Should I Hire an Attorney in Arizona for a Felony DUI?
A DUI of any type is a very serious charge and can carry significant penalties, as well as put your livelihood at risk. Penalties for a DUI can include jail time, fines, suspended or revoked license and more. DUI’s may be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on a number of factors. For a Felony DUI, penalties […]