James Grunert, 40, has been arrested on suspicion of DUI following his involvement in a four-vehicle crash that killed a 64-year-old Surprise woman, according to a news report.
Peoria police say that Grunert was allegedly speeding south on 83rd Ave. in Peoria when his black SUV rear-ended a car driven by Kathleen Petrotta of Surprise. Petrotta’s car was stopped at a red light at the time of the collision, which sent her vehicle into the intersection where it was hit by two other vehicles, a Chevrolet Silverado and a Toyota Tundra.
Petrotta was transported to a local hospital where she died shortly after arrival. The driver of the Silverado was taken to a local trauma center with non-life threatening injuries; the driver of the Tundra was not injured.
If you have been arrested for Arizona DUI and need a Phoenix criminal defense attorney, contact our Arizona criminal defense law firm.
Phoenix Teacher Facing Sexual Abuse Charges
A 54-year-old substitute teacher at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix has been arrested and charged with two counts of assault, one count of sexual abuse and one count of kidnapping in connection with three separate cases, according to a news report.
Otis Magee allegedly touched a 15-year-old girl inappropriately when he was driving her to a fast food restaurant, then restrained her when she tried to get out of his car. Phoenix police said the girl is a family friend.
Magee is also charged in connection with two 2008 incidents at Precision High School in Phoenix, where he was a teacher. He is accused of inappropriate conduct with two female students, and police said there may have been a third girl involved as well.
If you have been accused of sexual assault, sexual abuse or of violating any other Arizona sex offender laws and need a Phoenix criminal defense attorney, contact our Arizona criminal defense law firm.
What to Do If You Are Pulled Over for DUI
If you are pulled over by the police on suspicion of DUI, there are things you should – and should not – do to help beat the charges that may be filed against you, whether you had no drinks, one drink or more than one:
Stay calm. By panicking and fumbling around for your license and registration, you give the police more support in their probable cause to arrest you. It’s a good idea to keep your documents handy when you are in the car to avoid this.
Do not answer questions. Police may ask you if you have been drinking. The only answer you should give – politely – is, “I have been advised by an attorney not to answer questions like that.”
Refuse a field sobriety or Breathalyzer test. You do not need to take any field sobriety test. If requested to do so, refuse politely. The officer can ask you to take any test or test for alcohol. If you refuse the alcohol test, you are subject to the mandatory loss of your driving privileges for one year. If you accept the test, your driving privileges can be suspended for 90 days if your test results exceed 0.08. Normally, if it is your first offense, I recommend refusing the field sobriety test, BUT take the alcohol test. If it is a second offense (or more), then a conviction would result in at least a 1-year revocation. So, in that case, I would normally recommend refusing all field sobriety and alcohol tests as your driving privileges will likely be invalid for at least one year.
Use passengers as witnesses. Make sure any passengers in the car observe your interaction with the police so they can be used as witnesses if necessary at trial to rebut the police’s account. If they can record the incident on cell phones that would be even better.
Finally, call a Phoenix DUI attorney to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive a fair trial, if it comes to that.
If you have been arrested for Arizona DUI and need a Phoenix criminal defense attorney, contact our Arizona criminal defense law firm.
Three Arrested in Phoenix Child Abuse Case
A 43-year-old grandmother, her boyfriend and a family friend have been arrested in connection with the child abuse death of two-year-old Juanita Buelna in Phoenix.
According to a news report, Buelna’s grandmother, Juanita Rodriguez, allegedly admitted to abusing the girl along with her boyfriend, Jumilio Dominguez Vazquez, 32, and Christopher Lopez, 37.
Police said that Buelna was left in the care of the two men in the absence of her grandmother, who was the child’s legal guardian. While Rodriguez was gone, the men reportedly called her to tell her the child was not breathing. After Rodriguez returned to the apartment, she called paramedics, who administered CPR but were unable to revive the child. She was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
If you have been accused of child abuse or a violent crime in Arizona and need a Phoenix criminal defense attorney, contact our Arizona criminal defense law firm.
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Mesa Domestic Violence Assault
William Evans, 43, of Mesa has been arrested on accusations that he broke his girlfriend’s shoulder during a domestic violence dispute, according to a news report.
Mesa police say that in January, Evans was allegedly drinking, became angry with his girlfriend and demanded that she give him money and the keys to her car. When she tried to stop him, police say he shoved her into a bookcase, breaking her shoulder.
Police also said that in February, Evans allegedly attacked his girlfriend again by pushing her into a headboard, reinjuring her shoulder. In March, Evans reportedly injured her shoulder again by punching it.
Evans was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, and reportedly told police he has anger problems and does not like it when his girlfriend calls him a loser.
If you have been arrested for assault or any other violent crime in Arizona and need a Phoenix criminal defense attorney, contact our Arizona criminal defense law firm.
Cottonwood Man Faces Charges of Child Abuse, Animal Cruelty
A 22-year-old Cottonwood man has been charged with two counts of child abuse and one count of animal cruelty in connection with injuries sustained by his four-month-old son and a puppy, according to a news report.
Johan Wall was arrested by Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies after an investigation allegedly revealed evidence of physical abuse to Wall’s infant son. The boy was taken to a Phoenix hospital earlier in the month, where doctors allegedly found evidence of fractures to his legs and ribs and internal bleeding in his head.
Investigators also said that Wall allegedly abused the family’s four-month-old puppy by throwing it to the ground. A veterinarian exam showed the puppy had sustained a broken shoulder.
If you have been accused of child abuse or a violent crime in Arizona and need a Phoenix criminal defense attorney, contact our Arizona criminal defense law firm.
Oakland A’s Outfielder Arrested for Scottsdale DUI
Oakland A’s outfielder Coco Crisp has been arrested in Scottsdale on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, according to a news report.
Crisp, who is in Scottsdale for the A’s spring training camp, was stopped after a Scottsdale police officer allegedly observed him driving erratically. When the officer stopped Crisp, he reportedly observed signs of intoxication.
After taking a field sobriety test, Crisp was placed under arrest and cited for driving while impaired, having a BAC of 0.08 percent or more, driving with an expired California registration, failure to drive in a single lane and no proof of current insurance, according to police.
If you have been arrested for Arizona DUI and need a Phoenix criminal defense attorney, contact our Arizona criminal defense law firm.
