Posts Tagged ‘criminal defense attorney’

Penalties for Simple Assault in Arizona

So, you’ve just finished a nice dinner out with your family and while walking to your car a stranger approaches you and asks for change.  You reply that you are empty-handed, but the person insists you must have some money.  Feeling tired and annoyed, you engage in a verbal confrontation, pushing the stranger so he will leave you alone.  As a result of your push, the stranger stumbled, fell to the ground, and cuts his arm.  Now what?

It’s important to know that simple assault charges in Arizona are taken very seriously and the punishment increases with the severity of the assault, as well as the number of convictions you’ve had.

A misdemeanor assault (as described in the story above) is punishable by up to one year in prison, along with a $2,500 fine.  This level of assault is specifically defined as:

• Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person; or
• Intentionally placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury; or
• Knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure, insult or provoke such person.

Additionally, endangerment can also be classified as a misdemeanor in Arizona.  This includes a situation where a person’s actions recklessly endangering another person with a substantial risk of physical injury.

It’s important to know how Arizona law enforcement may react to your actions.  Instead of taking physical action against a stranger or anyone, call 911 immediately and get you and your family to a safe location until help arrives.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance of having committed an assault, contact the attorneys at Petersen Johnson for a free consultation.  We protect YOUR rights.

- T. Jacobs

How to Prepare Yourself for a Criminal Defense Trial

If you’re charged with a crime and you’re facing court, there are many things you need to be mindful of if you hope to beat the charge, or receive a lesser charge.

A criminal trial is held in front of a jury. That means you’re going to be judged on how you look, how you present yourself, as well as what you say and how you say it.

That’s why it’s recommended that, if you are facing a criminal trial, you get the help of a qualified defense attorney. An attorney will walk you through the court process and will help you with all the aspects necessary for you to convince a judge and jury of your innocence.

Of course, you can also represent yourself. If you’re going to do so, you’re going to have to think of everything on your own so that you don’t leave out one detail. Even one tiny skipped detail in a criminal defense trial can seal your fate and cause the jury to convict you of all charges against you.

Personal Appearance
Whether you’re defending yourself or you have a defense attorney, you must be mindful of how you plan to dress during your court appearances. A suit is always a good move, as it makes you look professional. If you have any tattoos, make sure they’re covered up.

Even though you shouldn’t be judged on your appearance during a trial, your personal appearance does make a difference in the eyes of the jury. Men should avoid long hair and excessive facial hair, and women should keep it feminine and modest.

All in all, just make sure you look presentable so that a jury will think there’s no way you could have possibly committed the crime you’re accused of committing.

Demeanor and Speech
Any defense attorney will tell you to keep your mouth shut unless you’re asked a question. In a defense trial, your attorney will do most of the talking, unless you’re asked to take the stand.

But if you’re representing yourself, you’ll want to make sure you speak slowly, refrain from using profanity and learn the law terms you’ll be using to prove your innocence. The less dangerous you seem, the more lenient a jury will be with you when it comes to conviction and sentencing.

Evidence
Now that you know how to dress and act in a defense trial, you’ll need to focus on what evidence is stacked against you. If you have an attorney, the prosecution will share the evidence they’ve collected that they hope will prove your guilt.

If you’re defending yourself, you can also get copies of all of this evidence. Pore over each aspect of the prosecution’s case. Look for holes that you can argue against, such as timeline problems or alibis you may have. Remember that if you do have an alibi, you’re going to have to call witnesses to the stand to help corroborate them.

It’s not recommended to defend yourself in a criminal defense trial. Unless you have extensive knowledge of the law, you may be in over your head. A wiser course of action is to contact a defense attorney at Petersen Johnson and have them defend your rights in a court of law.