Serious Motor Vehicle Crimes

Arizona Vehicular Crime - Hit and Run - Fleeing an Officer

In Arizona, the more serious motor vehicle offenses are classed as felonies, and often involve mandatory prison time upon conviction. In Maricopa County, the current policy is not to negotiate pleas in cases such as negligent homicide, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, or serious injury accidents related to drunk driving. To get the help of veteran Phoenix trial attorneys who are experienced in the defense of serious vehicular crimes, contact the AV-rated* Weingart Law Firm in Tempe.

Because motor vehicles of any kind are considered weapons for purposes of Arizona's dangerous crimes law, the following offenses can result in a mandatory prison term, even when the defendant has no prior convictions of any kind:

• Manslaughter or negligent homicide in fatal auto accidents
• Aggravated assault in serious injury accidents
• Hit and run accidents

In developing and presenting your defense on the merits to the crime charged, we investigate the circumstances of the accident or conduct underlying the charges, and work with forensic experts to aid your defense on issues ranging from blood alcohol content to crash dynamics. In cases involving charges of manslaughter or negligent homicide, we also explore the fine but critically important distinction between a reckless and a negligent state of mind.

While we prepare your defense concerning the facts of the case, we also work hard to minimize your exposure to criminal punishment. Mandatory prison sentences are based on one of two circumstances--classification of the offense as a dangerous crime under Arizona law, or prior felonies. We'll attack the prosecution's case on both fronts as the case warrants. In many cases, we can demonstrate that a prior felony cannot be used against you to increase the penalties for a present offense.

For a free consultation about resolving your current difficulty, contact an Arizona criminal trial lawyer at the Weingart Law Firm in Tempe.

* CV, BV, and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Ratings evaluate two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.