Uncategorized

Our Houston defense attorneys work to provide a fair and aggressive defense for each client. We understand that every case is different and each client requires our undivided attention and skills in order to attain a favorable outcome. We’ve found that our client reviews have positively reflected this, showing potential clients that these reviews do indeed matter.

They reveal who the criminal defense attorneys are behind the firm

Brent A.  – Corso Law Group review: “I had a great experience with this law firm. I recommend them to everyone. My legal team was experienced and worked hard for me. If you need a lawyer, consider this firm. I liked the fact that they were dependable and always had the answers. I was living out of state at the time and it was important for me that I knew my lawyer and team had everything under control.”

We understand that it can be difficult to fully understand who your criminal defense attorney is solely from the firm’s website. Client reviews present personal attributes of the attorneys, revealing that they are dependable and trustworthy, or possess other desirable traits you seek when hiring a criminal defense attorney. 

They help you understand the firm’s process for their clients

Juan P. – Corso Law Group review: “The lawyers were able to assist me with questions I had regarding getting my old charges cleared. I got to go in for a personal consultation with the owner, and within a couple weeks they had taken care of my record for me. Every step of the way I was notified and if I had any questions, I could call at any time. Wonderful staff. I would recommend.”

One of the most important aspects about the criminal defense firm you decide to hire is understanding their process for assisting their clients. Are they quick to respond to you? Do they lead you through each and every step of your case? Their process should revolve around you and the situation you’re in, not them. Client reviews reveal how consistent, effective and motivated a firm is through the way they assess and then act on your case.

They provide proof of success

Paul B. – Corso Law Group review: “Because of their experience and professionalism, my charges were reduced to one from three and the one was reduced to a reasonable outcome. The circumstances of my mistake could have been much worse. I salute this firm. Thank you.”

No one wants to hire a law firm that isn’t good at what they do. Take the time to read each review and see if the outcomes are in line with what that client expected and received. Your criminal defense attorney should be experienced in the field your case is in and present proven successes to you up front.

Time and time again, we have worked with truck drivers to secure their livelihoods after legal difficulties, learning that their salaries either proved unfair or challenging to live on. Now, after a change in economic conditions and an increase in the shortage of truck drivers, companies are beginning to seek their services at a higher paid and more frequent rate.

This year, the truck driving industry has experienced a continued shortage of drivers throughout the United States, causing salaries of current drivers to increase by approximately 12 percent.

According to the National Transportation Institute, average salaries for long-haul truck drivers have increased approximately 17 percent since 2013, rising to $57,000 in 2015. Due to low employment costs and an increase in demand for imported goods that must be transported by long-haul trucks, the trucking industry has seen great benefits. According to Bob Costello, American Trucking Association’s Chief Economist, the expected increase in driver’s salaries will continue to rise as long as the shortage continues.

An increase in salaries is long overdue, but long-haul truck driving still proves an impossible task for some due to the commitment of time spent out on the road.

Jarrod Ritter, a 35-year-old truck driver, tried long-haul truck driving a few times but was never able to commit to the long hours and multiple days away from home. In a Wall Street Journal article which discussed the raise in truck driver’s salaries he stated, “It’s a hard life…You’re living 24 hours a day, seven days a week inside a rolling closet.”

Offering more time at home is one of the changes the American Trucking Association is considering in order to attract more drivers to fix the shortage. Although a steep increase in salaries is intriguing for drivers, this factor, as well as a change in how the supply chain treats the drivers and improving the reputation of the industry, are said to be in the works.

Additional changes in the industry also include lowering the age requirement for interstate truck drivers and working to hire veterans.

Another challenge for truck drivers includes specific legal difficulties. Texas CDL tickets can result in serious penalties for truck drivers and are difficult to fight without the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

That’s why our firm is here to help. We work with these individuals every day to help them succeed and grow in their positions by fighting for their rights.

We understand that truck drivers must maintain a clean driving record to continue making a living. To learn how to protect yourself, please contact us today.

With so many protests resulting in violence, mass arrests and illegal use of force, what exactly are your protesting rights? The Scottsdale attorneys at Corso Law Group explain your rights and how to stay safe while participating in demonstrations and protests.

Threats and Violence

The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, which includes the right to protest. While this does mean that there are no restrictions on the content of your speech, it does not protect all types of speech.

While you are certainly within your rights to express your opinion, no matter how extreme or unpopular, threatening or violent remarks could be considered criminal threats, which could result in jail time.

Private Property

You’re legally allowed to protest government actions and participate in demonstrations individually or in a group setting, but there are specific rules and restrictions to follow.

Typically, if a protest is large and involves loud speakers or any special equipment, a permit is required, even if the demonstration takes place on public property, while smaller, unobstructive protests do not.

These rules apply only to public property such as streets and sidewalks. The moment a protest moves onto private property, the owners of that property have the right to ban or restrict protesting altogether. If protesters do not comply with the owner’s rules, they can face trespassing charges.

Police Restrictions  

Even if a protest takes place on public property, police can limit protesters to protesting zones to keep other citizens safe.

For example, blocking roads, obstructing traffic and closing off entrances to businesses could create a dangerous situation, and doing so during a protest could get you arrested.

Media

Although media coverage can help bring attention to whatever cause a group may be representing, some protesters are reluctant to interact with or even allow media coverage to take place during a demonstration.

Recently, during protests against racial injustice at the University of Missouri, mass media professor Melissa Click was recorded confronting photographer Mark Schierbecker, telling him to leave the demonstration.

Click was recorded threatening force to get Schierbecker to leave, saying “Who wants to help me get this reporter out of here? I need some muscle over here.”

Even if a protester doesn’t want to be filmed, members of the media have every right to cover public protests. The First Amendment, the same right that protects the right to protest, also protects freedom of the press and allows reporters the right to cover public events.

Going into business has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. As a criminal lawyer, I get an opportunity to help people everyday. It’s a great feeling knowing that you’ve made a positive impact in the lives of other people.

I was recently asked for my advice on my biggest milestone in business. For me, it’s been the ability to expand our business into the Houston market, doubling the impact we can have as criminal defense lawyers:

“This year was a defining year for Corso Law Group as we completed our firm’s first expansion, into Houston, Texas. We put in years of hard work to establish Corso Law Group in Scottsdale, Arizona focusing on key cases that made a difference in our state and to our clients. Our team then carried this work ethic and focus into the Houston market, and we proudly opened Corso Law Group in Texas this past summer. What’s even more exciting is that the new firm is thriving in a new environment and we’ve continued to have success in our home base of Scottsdale.”

Recently, I was asked to comment on the reasons why your case needs a medical marijuana expert. It’s a great read and incorporates plenty of other experts in the field.

Those who know me will tell you I always advocate for hiring the best expert you can find. It holds true when you build a home, have your car repaired and especially when you’re facing a criminal conviction. In a court of law, you can’t afford to go it alone. That’s why we’re here – to provide the best legal defense possible for you and your family.

So why do you need a medical marijuana expert? Here’s why:

A medical marijuana expert understands impairment.

In Arizona, our firm has seen landmark cases in which the expert’s opinion was a crucial deciding factor for the jury. Arizona is creating legal precedent with cases like Darrah v. Hon. Mcclennen/City of Mesa where we, as lawyers, are literally breaking new ground every day in the defense of individuals charged with marijuana possession or driving under the influence.

As with any new battleground in the legal field, the quality of your case can many times rely on the quality of the experts you choose to support your case. Experts on the effects of marijuana are commonly retained for DUI cases in order to first determine if the drug was present in the defendant’s system, and secondly, to quantify if the percentage found in the defendant’s blood was significant enough to prove impairment.

Experts responsible for supporting arguments involving impairment are typically highly educated criminalists and doctors who specialize in internal medicine – professionals well versed in the effects of marijuana and with extensive experience testifying in court.

A marijuana expert can bolster your defense – and weaken the prosecution’s case.

Typically, the prosecution has no problem seeking a conviction for drug possession if they’ve proven the individual was in possession of marijuana. In this case, a marijuana expert can’t do much to bolster the defense. However, the defense can argue the individual legally obtained a medical marijuana card, and should not be convicted for drug possession based on state laws. Depending on the prosecutor and judge however, this argument won’t necessarily be impactful.

If a DUI is involved, the situation becomes much more complex, and the support of an experienced marijuana expert is crucial. Unlike alcohol, marijuana traces, or metabolites, remain in the system for longer periods of time. An expert is needed to discuss how metabolites affect the body and whether these trace amounts of the drug resulted in impairment.

Drug identification “experts” aren’t doctors.

Unlike marijuana experts such as criminalists and internal medicine doctors who defense attorneys call upon to help with a case, drug recognition experts (DREs) or drug identification experts typically focus solely on proving that drugs were present in the defendant’s system at the time of the arrest.

DREs aren’t nearly as qualified as doctors to speak on impairment, and aren’t highly educated on the medical aspect of whether the driver was impaired. They have undergone training and courses to “recognize” impairment based on their previous experiences as well as a person’s behavior and actions. That’s why highly qualified drug experts are so crucial if your client is ultimately charged. For us, science trumps what a DRE might see on the side of the road.

Thanksgiving is one of America’s most cherished holidays, but it’s also one of the deadliest. This time of year marks an extremely busy travel period, and more people on the road means more accidents overall – especially drunk driving accidents, according to Corso Law Group.

“Most people assume New Year’s Eve is the most dangerous time of the year for drunk driving accidents, but that’s not true,” said Christopher Corso, owner and founder of Corso Law Group. “Thanksgiving is deadlier due to a significant amount of drunk driving crashes that occur over the holiday weekend.”

Drunk driving accidents increase by 30 percent during the four-day period spanning Thanksgiving Eve through the following Sunday, MADD reports. In fact, Thanksgiving Eve is a particularly dangerous time to drive and is commonly referred to as “Blackout Wednesday” or “Drinksgiving”.

“Police are well aware of the increased DUIs this time of year, especially during the holiday weekend, and they won’t hesitate to pull people over, make arrests and give out citations for drunk driving and any other traffic violations they witness,” Corso said. “Having an experienced and aggressive Arizona DUI lawyer on your side can make a difference.”

With millions of people expected to travel during Thanksgiving, Corso expects a high number of drunk-driving related accidents will take place this year based on data from previous Thanksgiving weekends. Last year, the National Safety Council estimated 418 traffic fatalities and 44,700 injuries took place over the holiday weekend.

Corso Law Group is an experienced team of legal professionals who have handled thousands of Arizona DUI cases. Founder Christopher Corso is a former Maricopa County prosecutor who can help with drunk driving cases as well as other criminal defense needs such as criminal speeding, CDL tickets, photo radar tickets, felony charges, drug possession, weapons possession, violent crimes and more.

To schedule a free consultation with Corso Law Group, please visit https://corsolawgroup.com or call (480) 471-4616.

Corso Law Group, PLLC is located at 17470 N. Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255.

Not many people outside the trucking world are informed about the requirements, issues and current laws surrounding truck driving. Our firm works diligently with these individuals to help them find solutions when it comes to traffic violations, license issues and much more.

Recently, there have been several public scandals related to over-the-road commercial driving, and currently the industry is experiencing a shortage in drivers.

A recent study completed by the American Trucking Association revealed the shortage of U.S. truck drivers will increase to 175,000 by 2040 if no changes are made. Over the last several years, the number of licensed drivers has ebbed and flowed, according to Bob Costello, the American Trucking Association economist and leader of the study. According to Costello, the industry witnessed an improvement last year but has experienced yet another decline in 2015.

As a result of high retirement rates and continuous growth, the industry must find almost 90,000 drivers to meet growing demand.

The job isn’t an easy one though. Truck driving typically means time away from one’s family and long hours, a difficult sacrifice for many parents to make.

Kevin Poulter, a current truck driver says drivers “must be able to deal with the stress of traffic”, too. He knows a variety of weather, road conditions and driving laws can take a toll on drivers.

Long hours can mean good pay but in order to fix the shortage the American Trucking Association is suggesting changing the industry’s requirements and guidelines. The association is questioning specific requirements currently in place.

The current age requirement for long-haul driving is 21 years old, but the American Trucking Association suggests lowering it. They also suggest increasing the amount of time drivers are allowed to spend at home and suggest exploring hiring more military veterans.

According to the association, another piece of the problem is the view the outside world has of truck drivers and the lifestyle it permits. Improving the industry’s reputation will attract more drivers.

Corso Law Group knows truck drivers are passionate about their jobs, and need valid commercial driver’s licenses and a clean driving record to make a living. To learn how to protect yourself, please contact us today.

Ever since the Campus Carry bill was signed into law in June, we’ve discussed how this controversial piece of legislature is being received. The law allows those who are licensed to carry a concealed weapon on public college campuses. As expected, not all Texans are showing their support.

University of Texas professor Daniel Hamermesh recently sent University President Gregory Fenves his letter of resignation due to the new law. Hamermesh strongly believes this law will not only bring more danger and violence to campuses, but specifically to his classroom, a large auditorium of more than 400 students.

In Hamermesh’s letter to Fenves he states, “I cannot believe that I am the only potential or current faculty member who is aware of and disturbed by this heightened risk.” He also believes the new law will make recruiting students and staff to attend and teach at the University of Texas much more challenging.

In ending the letter, Professor Hamermesh touches on one of the University’s most important aspects – its reputation. “Applying this law broadly will detract from the…national and international reputation of this University.”

While Hamermesh feels the risk of gun violence is now enhanced, he’s not the only one who has voiced his opinion publicly on the matter. Several student groups and other Texas professors have spoken out about the potential dangers this new law could bring.

On the other hand some say that students are already bringing concealed weapons onto campuses, this law is just making it legal. Texas state representative Allen Fletcher (R-Cypress) stated that even though those on campus are not allowed to do so, they already carry concealed weapons on them because it is legal outside of campus.

Big business is also getting involved, including national fast food chain Whataburger.

Campus Carry is set to go into effect at the start of the year on January 1, 2016. A separate license will not be required for those who already have licenses to carry a concealed weapon and no additional fee will be charged.

In today’s culture, people post information on social media that can be shocking and revealing. Behind a screen, users seem to feel safe and protected from the consequences of their publicly shared stories, photos and videos, even if they are illegal.

This raises the question of whether you can be legally liable for what you say on social media? Is a photo, video or status enough evidence for law enforcement to deem your action illegal?

While it depends on the case, the answer is yes. If what you post on social media is illegal, you have a significant change of essential incriminating yourself.

Whitney Beall, a 23-year-old from Florida recently received a DUI after live streaming herself driving drunk on Periscope. Police were able to track her location and arrest her while committing the crime. Hawaii resident Richard Gerlad Godbehere, Jr. wasn’t live streaming but similar to Beall’s actions posted a video of himself online driving while drinking. After the police were informed of the video, Godbehere was arrested for Possessing Liquor While Operating a Vehicle as well as Driving Without a License.

In cases such as Godbehere, although police didn’t physically catch him breaking the law, the video presented substantial evidence revealing illegal actions. This was also the situation with Jacob Cox-Brown, an 18-year old Oregon resident who posted a photo on Facebook of a parked car he had crashed into while intoxicated then left behind.

He captioned the photo “Drivin drunk…classic;) but to whoever’s vehicle I hit I am sorry. :P”, complete with careless character faces. Facebook friends of Cox-Brown soon informed authorities and due to his posted evidence, he was later charged with failure to perform the duties of a driver. Cox-Brown was not charged with drinking and driving though as the photo posted did not prove the teenager’s physical state at the time of the incident.

There have been several of these cases and the outcomes are typically similar, if you are presenting evidence of a crime you committed online in a public virtual setting, it’s essentially the same as you presenting the evidence to a law enforcement officer in person.

The digital age is still evolving and now more than ever, the online community is consistently growing. Law enforcement uses Facebook and other social media channels to solve cases, catch criminals and gather evidence for prosecution. A confession is still a confession, no matter where it takes place.

With 2016 just a few weeks away, Arizona identification cards and driver’s licenses are undergoing big changes to meet Federal REAL ID standards, and those that don’t will become much less usable.

Some of the newest and most important updates have to do with license photos.

Due to a new facial recognition software, ID photos must comply with a new facial recognition software that requires clear, high quality photos.

Those who wear eyeglasses everyday will need to go in for an updated, lens-free photo as the new software will not allow facial features to be covered in ID photos. Facial hair and religious items, like hijabs, are still allowed as long as they are worn daily and don’t cover up the eyes, nose or mouth.

This new facial-recognition system will examine photos of those applying for driver’s licenses and ID cards at Motor Vehicle Division offices and alert workers if one of the new photos matches with a photo that already exists in the database. Additionally, Arizonans will now need to get a new license photo every eight years.

This is intended to notify officials if multiple names are being used for one photo, for example, to help detect fraud, identity theft, and more. However, some believe that the new software could be violation of privacy.

The American Civil Liberties Union supports getting rid of the REAL ID, arguing that the new licenses are a “tremendously destructive impact on privacy,” The Phoenix New Times reports.

Although older Arizona licenses with existing ID photos will still be valid forms of identification in several cases, such as for voting, they will not be accepted forms of ID for traveling, even domestically. Those without a REAL ID will need to use a passport or other form of ID to get through airport security. The date for when this transition will take place has yet to be announced.

REAL-IDs are predicted to be available in Arizona in April.