criminal defense attorney

Violent Crimes on Game Day: Are Football Games Dangerous?

How safe is it to be a fan at a football game? With emotions running high due to team loyalties, tense rivalries and alcohol consumption before and during the game, what seems like a fun sporting event can end in serious legal trouble.

Recently, three San Francisco 49ers fans were charged with felony assault for brutally beating a Minnesota Vikings fan after a Monday night game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

In 2014, Arizona police arrested two men on assault charges, and stadium security removed several others involved in the two fights that took place in the upper decks of the Cardinals stadium in Glendale.

While these incidents sometimes fly under the radar of stadium security, who can be overwhelmed by 70,000 screaming fans, others are taking notice.

An investigative report on stadium crimes by Seattle news station, KIRO-TV, reviewed approximately 10,000 incidents over two-and-a half seasons, finding hundreds of felony and misdemeanor crimes had occurred during this time.

KIRO-TV also revealed that the National Football League (NFL) keeps a detailed crime record for each stadium on game day, but doesn’t always share this record with police in hopes of protecting certain teams.

The NFL is reacting to growing awareness of violent fan crimes by facilitating communication between each franchise and local law enforcement and stadium security to focus on crowd safety, The Arizona Republic reports.

Currently, most NFL teams have a hotline fans can text to notify stadium officials of concerns and problems during a game, but is this enough to keep thousands of fans in line during a heated game?

Next time you’re watching your favorite team, be aware of escalating arguments, potential fights and drunk drivers.

Our attorneys know from experience that assault and DUI are common charges in Arizona after a big game or event.

Driving on the Holidays is Dangerous, But Which Holidays Are The Worst?

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, and brings not only drunk drivers, but widespread opportunity for a range of traffic violations.

Law enforcement is well aware of this increase and makes a significant number of arrests each year starting on Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. How many people does this affect? In 2013, Texas DPS cited almost 390 DWI arrests, just over 700 child seat belt citations, over 800 lack of insurance citations and issued almost 6,850 speeding violations during the Thanksgiving period alone.

As experienced DWI and traffic attorneys, Corso Law Group understands the challenges of holiday travel. A combination of holiday stress, alcohol use, adverse weather conditions and increased law enforcement on the roads results in more arrests, accidents and traffic violations during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations than any other time of year.

Thanksgiving

Increased travel during the Turkey holiday creates high-risk situations for drivers on the roads. Last year, AAA predicted 46.3 million people would be driving on the roads nationwide, averaging a travel distance of at least 50 miles from their homes.

Additional drivers can lead to a higher number of accidents and sometimes, deaths. Based upon previous data and research, The National Safety Council estimated 418 traffic fatalities during the 2014 holiday.  As for alcohol-related crashes, 40 percent of highway deaths were due to drunk driving during the holiday period according to MADD. In Texas specifically, more car crash fatalities occurred on Thanksgiving than any other holiday with a total of 55 deaths.

Christmas

Shortly after Thanksgiving, yet another period of celebration arrives – Christmas. While most of us regard the holidays as a fun time, studies have found that not everyone is stress-free during this holiday. According to a survey completed by State Farm, 32 percent of drivers in the U.S. showed greater signs of either road rage or aggression during the holidays.

Drinking also increases during Christmas and the days following. From just the few days spanning between Christmas to New Year’s Eve, studies show a 12 percent increase nationally in traffic related deaths involving a drunk driver than for the entire month of December.

New Year’s Day

The New Year is often celebrated with parties and alcohol, which can lead to dangerous roads when people don’t take the proper precautions and plan ahead. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, New Year’s Day presented the highest percentage of alcohol-related deaths with 42 percent of traffic deaths having to do with drinking and driving. The first day of the year is technically even worse for drunk driving accidents than New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Day is also listed as the number one day for holiday car theft, with Christmas ranking last.

Holidays are a busy time of the year, especially falling on weekends where alcohol-related accidents are more common. With an increased amount of law enforcement out during the holidays, DWIs and other traffic violations are more likely to happen. At Corso Law Group, we deal with these types of cases every day, helping our clients fight for their rights. If the holidays have you in a difficult position, we’re here to help.

How Online Dating Can Get You Arrested

Although online dating has come a long way and has lost much of its stigma, with 1 in 5 adults using the popular dating services, there are still many unaddressed vulnerabilities that could lead to serious legal problems.

One concern stems from users hiding behind the online barrier, making it difficult to really know if what you see is what you will truly get when dating online.

For example, a 19-year-old teen spent nearly 80 days in jail and is on the Michigan and Indiana sex-offender registries due to a misdemeanor charge of criminal sexual conduct after meeting with a 14-year-old girl who lied about her age on a dating app called Hot Or Not.

Zach Anderson, who believed the underaged girl he met was 17, spent 73 days in jail despite the fact that the girl’s parents never wanted to press charges and requested leniency for Anderson. The girl and her parents appeared in court where she admitted to lying about her age and wrote an apology letter to the Anderson family for her actions.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you my age. It kills me every day, knowing you are going through hell and I’m not. I want to be in trouble and not you,” she said.

Anderson’s attorney argued that Anderson was a victim of today’s online dating culture, which he characterized as a deceitful place that makes it nearly impossible to know someone’s true age. However, Berrien County District Judge Dennis Wiley disagreed.

“You went online, to use a fisherman’s expression, trolling for women to meet and have sex with,” he told Anderson. “That seems to be part of our culture now — meet, hook up, have sex, sayonara. Totally inappropriate behavior. There is no excuse for this whatsoever.”

Given a 90-day jail sentence, five years probation and 25 years on both Michigan and Indiana’s sex offender registries, Anderson will have to adjust to life avoiding schools, malls and other public places as well as learning to cope with the fact that landlords and employers may not accept him because of his conviction.

Online Dating Rights

If you were in the same situation as Anderson, what are your rights when it comes to online dating?

Even if the girl in Anderson’s case admitted to lying about her age and insisted the incident was consensual, current sex offender laws do not consider this an accepted defense.

Current laws allow Anderson’s name, home and work addresses to be made public, but his charges will not be specified. So, when a future employer looks at the registry, he or she will not see a difference between Anderson and someone with more severe convictions.

What to Do

The best way to avoid getting arrested because of an online dating scandal is to:

  1. Choose a legitimate online dating site. There are certain sites that perform background checks to limit who gets to join their service.
  1. Familiarize yourself with the terms of service. Make sure you know what information about yourself is being shared online and what specific policies the site has. Chances are, the online dating service will state that you are responsible for your actions and will not take the blame for your arrest.
  1. Exercise caution. If you have doubts about a person you met online, trust your instinct and avoid what could be a bad situation.

Three Things to Know If You’re Pulled Over by the Police

The recent news concerning Sandra Bland, who died while in police custody in Texas, and other police altercations has led many Americans to wonder what legal rights they possess when being stopped by an officer.

Was Ms. Bland obeying the law or breaking the law? Were the officer’s actions legal or was he using unnecessary force?

As we await the final outcome of this case, it’s critical that Americans are properly informed about their rights when being stopped by an officer.

You’re protected by the Fifth Amendment: Legally, you can’t be punished for refusing to answer a question.

While most of us understand the general meaning of the Fifth Amendment (the right to remain silent), this still remains a question on many civilians’ minds. Typically, the appropriate and safest thing to do is to respond politely to an officer’s questions without excessive description.

However, if you feel uncomfortable revealing specific information, know that you’re legally protected by the Constitution.

After given your ticket or warning, you’re free to leave.

After you’re given your ticket or warning and if the situation has not resulted in a more severe consequence, you are technically and constitutionally allowed to leave. If the conversation or investigation (which is lawful on the officer’s part) begins afterward, the situation has now progressed into a separate occurrence.

You can video record police (sometimes)

Depending upon the state and situation, this is completely legal. Some states have laws that prevent people from recording others without their consent and if your video is obstructing an investigation, you can be arrested. Otherwise, the ability to record police officers has led to some of the most widespread cases across the country including video of a North Charleston, S.C. shooting and police officers responding to a pool party in Texas.

What to Ask a Prospective Criminal Defense Attorney

The right criminal defense attorney can make all the difference when it comes to your pending criminal case. There are several helpful questions to ask a criminal defense attorney and ways to prepare for a beneficial consultation.

At Corso Law Group, our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys works tirelessly to get to know every client. It helps us prepare the best possible defense for cases such as DUI, criminal speeding, drug possession, weapons possession, assault, felony offenses, violent crimes and more.

Along with a strategic legal plan that’s tailored to your needs, Corso Law Group treats you and your family with the respect you deserve during all aspects of the legal process.

Here are a few questions to ask your prospective attorney and tips to help you prepare for a preliminary consultation:

Two Important Questions for your Attorney

  1. Have you handled other cases like mine?

It’s crucial to connect with an attorney who’s experienced in the field of law that your case falls under. For example, if you’re arrested for DUI, you need a criminal defense attorney who is experienced in the procedures, case law and successful outcomes of a DUI case.

  1. What are the possible outcomes of my case?

Once you explain your situation, your future lawyer should be open to discussing the potential approaches that could be taken with your case and the different results that could occur.

In general, you should have open lines of communication with your attorney so that he or she can keep you up-to-date on what’s going on through the duration of your case.

How to Prepare for the First Meeting

– Read over all legal documents and paperwork that you have regarding your case and bring them to the meeting. Going over your documents ahead of time will help you feel more prepared when you meet with your prospective attorney.

– Create a list of any questions you might have about your case. This is your chance to get answers and clear up any confusion you may have about certain laws or aspects of your case.

– Prepare to discuss costs associated with your case. Before meeting with an attorney, it’s a good idea to think about what you can afford for your defense. Remember – a cheaper attorney isn’t necessarily a better option for you or your case.

– Be able to provide a detailed, chronological summary of what happened including dates, names of people involved, locations, etc. Knowing your case inside and out, and being able to share that information with your attorney will help create the best possible legal plan for you. The more information, the better, so make sure you have as many details and specifics as possible. Remember, there are confidentiality laws attorneys are required to follow, so don’t be afraid to share any necessary information.

Virginia Lawmaker Wins Re-election While Serving Jail Time

Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, 57, resigned his seat after being charged for a sex scandal involving a teenage employee but recently won it back during a special election, which he campaigned for from his office as a legislator by day, returning to jail at night to serve time for misdemeanor charges. Now, he’s being indicted on multiple new felony charges.

Morrissey was convicted last month for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was originally charged with multiple felony charges for being sexually involved with a young woman, prosecutors allege, but instead agreed to a plea deal requiring him to serve six months in jail for misdemeanor charges.
Joseph Morrissey

Prosecutors accused Morrissey of having sex with former 17-year-old employee Myrna Pride, saying nude photos of the girl from Morrissey’s cellphone were shared with a friend, AP reports.

Pride, now 18, is pregnant and both she and Morrissey said the accusations are not true. It is unclear whether Morrissey is the father.

His sentence was later reduced to 90 days with work release. Morrissey wears an ankle bracelet so that Virginia law enforcement can keep track of him while he goes to work during the day, and then he returns to jail at night.

Morrissey’s defense team released a new document showing that he and Pride were meeting to discuss legal problems she was having with her parents – not to engage in an illegal relationship.

The document is a fabricated court order, said special prosecutor to the case William Neely in an article in the Washington Post. However, who forged it is still under investigation.

Morrissey is accused of forging the document and persuading Pride’s mother, Deidre Lashawn Warren, to swear to its authenticity during her testimony, Virginia publication The Free Lance-Star said. Both are facing perjury and forgery charges.

Due to urges from the House, Morrissey resigned his seat until reelection time when he ran as an independent and won over his constituency with approximately 42 percent of votes.

Morrissey has been able to run for reelection despite his legal problems because the Constitution only requires that the person running lives in the state at hand, is at least 25 years old and has been a U.S. citizen for seven years. It’s up to the members of Congress in each state to determine whether a person, if elected, is qualified and can go through the process of expelling or suspending the him or her if enough votes are gathered.

Virginia House delegates have been disturbed by the sex scandal, and although Morrissey has been sworn in again, he was stripped of committee assignments, had to give up his old office and his desk on the House floor was put in a far corner, according to the AP.

“This is a truly painful and embarrassing chapter for the oldest continuously operating legislative body in the world,” said House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). “The House will evaluate these new indictments as it pertains to disciplinary action,” he said in The Washington Post.

This is not the first time Morrissey has been in the news. In 1993, he gained the nickname “Fighting Joe” after engaging in a fistfight with another lawyer in court. He has also faced several contempt of court citations and lost his license to practice law but was later reinstated.

Morrissey is popular among voters, and is well liked for being a representative who fights for the underdog. Even if the House decides to expel him – this hasn’t happened since 1876 – Morrissey has a strong following of voters who could support him.

Scottsdale Law Firm Corso Law Group Believes in Providing the Best Possible Legal Representation, Clients Say

A strong passion for justice and dedication to defending the rights of their clients as well as an extensive knowledge of Arizona state and national laws have given Corso Law Group a competitive edge against other Arizona attorneys, and satisfied clients are sharing their positive experiences.

“Providing a personal touch is one of the rules we live by at Corso Law Group,” said founding partner Christopher P. Corso, Esq. “All of the positive reviews and positive feedback we receive bring us closer to our clients and allow us to continue to grow as a firm.

Several triumphant clients support Corso’s comments with positive reviews.

“I am very blessed to have walked into the law offices of Corso Law Group,” Alex L. said. “Their associates were only a call away, and they have been handling my cases ever since then. I currently live out of state, but Corso Law Group always keeps me updated, follows up with me and…believes in me. I don’t know what I would do without their judgement and strict belief in justice.”

The criminal defense attorneys of Corso Law Group aggressively work to defend their clients, but they also take the time to get to know each individual to meet their specific legal needs.

Another Corso Law Group review amplifies this statement.

“They were easy to work with and did not hide anything,” Anthony S. of Scottsdale said. “They showed me how the case would typically proceed and made sure I was comfortable. My first time with a lawyer was easy. They make you feel at home. My case was dismissed, as they predicted. Try them, I recommend them all day long.”

The experienced attorneys at Corso Law Group are experts in criminal law, handling all criminal defense cases, including DUI defense, domestic violence defense, possession of drugs, felony drug charges, photo radar, criminal speeding, disorderly conduct and marijuana possession.

Corso Law Group also handles all types of Arizona family law cases, including Arizona divorce issues such as child custody, child support, alimony disputes, spousal support issues and visitation rights. And the Arizona lawyers are experts at Arizona personal injury and accident cases. From worker’s compensation claims to Arizona auto accidents, the personal injury lawyers at Corso Law Group continue to garner positive reviews for their attention to detail and their care and commitment.

The experienced attorneys at Corso Law Group serve clients throughout Arizona, including the cities of Ahwatukee, Avondale, Buckeye, Chandler, El Mirage, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson and Youngtown. To schedule a free consultation, please visit www.corsolawgroup.com or call (480) 471-4616. Corso Law Group, PLLC is located at 17470 N. Pacesetter Way Scottsdale, AZ 85255.

Photo Enforcement Issues Continue to Infuriate Arizona Drivers

Since photo radar systems were first approved and made active in Arizona, the devices have been a source of controversy, with officials such as Governor Jan Brewer have been fighting to do away with photo radar for good.

Arizona drivers can rest assured on state highways where photo radar systems have been banned, but other busy streets and intersections are still considered photo radar traps by drivers.

The photo radar attorneys at Corso Law Group are experienced in specific Arizona traffic laws and tirelessly defend the rights of their clients by looking for the best remedy to each individual case.

Today, many are still outraged by the use of Redflex photo radar systems in the state. While cities like Surprise have eliminated photo radar systems, others continue to implement these devices.

El Mirage, a small city west of Phoenix known for its use of photo radar as a hefty source of the city’s revenue, has photo radar systems set up on several main roads including Primrose and Grand Avenue where a driver and his wife were ticketed by a photo radar system for speeding during what he claims was an escape from a dangerous road rage system.

You can read more more on this man’s case here.

Do you feel unfairly trapped by the state’s use of Redflex photo radar systems? If you’ve been ticketed by photo radar cameras in El Mirage, we can help.

Prosecution of Aurora Theater Shooting Gunman Stands Still

It’s been nearly two years since the attack on an Aurora, Colorado movie theater rattled the country, and the fate of gunman James Holmes is still not certain as defense attorneys and prosecutors continue to argue viciously over issues of his mental sanity and the death penalty. The latest development finds the defense accusing the judge in the case of favoritism.

While the defense focuses on its latest set of motions (two other motions remain sealed) filed last week, the issue of Holmes’ mental state continues to be determined.

During the week of January 27, 2014, a series of four hearings closed to the media and public took place followed by an open hearing on that Friday at the Arapahoe County District Court.James Holmes

Prosecutors requested a second court ordered psychiatric evaluation of Holmes on the claim that the first results, from the summer of 2013 after Holmes pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, were made by a biased doctor and therefore invalid.

The determination of the mental state of Holmes is crucial.

If Holmes is found to be insane, he is too mentally sick to be a fit candidate for the death penalty. If he is found to have been sane during the shooting, he will most likely face execution. Juries have a tendency to side with the findings of the psychiatric evaluation, so the report on his mental health will have an extraordinary impact on the results of this case.

The results of the first psychiatric evaluation are not available to the public, which is why the first several hearings took place behind closed doors.

The Friday hearing was open, and it was established that the family and friends of Holmes are allowed to testify, but will not be able to discuss their opinions on the death penalty with the jury. Victims of the shooting, and survivors of victims, face the same rules in court.

Arapahoe County District Court Judge Carlos Samour set the trial date for October, which is when one of the largest juries in U.S. history, at 6,000 prospective jurors, will be summoned for the first phase of jury selection.

Before that process begins, which could take months and push back prosecution even further, Samour set two weeks of hearings on arguments about the death penalty for the end of April and beginning of May.

A date for the final efforts to further postpone the trial is set for September 5, in an attempt to keep the already delayed case on schedule.

12 people were shot to death and 70 were injured by gunfire in the summer of 2012. Those left in the wake of the attack are frustrated with the time it has taken for trial to begin.

Milke Case: Is Double Jeopardy a Factor?

The defense attorney of Debra Milke, a woman who has served 23 years in prison for the death of her son and was released from death row last year, claims that retrying Milke in court because of the prosecution’s withholding of evidence in the initial trial would violate her Fifth Amendment rights.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Milke’s case when it was found that the state did not turn over evidence of misconduct by their key witness, Armando Saldate Jr., in the emotionally-charged 1990 trial. The evidence would have allowed the defense to question the witness’s credibility. Debra Milke

Saldate, a Phoenix police detective at the time, told jurors that Debra Milke confessed to the 1989 killing of her son when he questioned her, which was a key piece of evidence in the case. After Milke’s conviction, the court found that Milke never waived her right to have an attorney present in the interrogation.

The court accused Saldate of multiple occurrences of misconduct and eradicated many of his confessions in the case and other cases because he lied under oath and violated Milke and other defendants’ constitutional rights.

The overturned case now faces a new problem: the defense claims that retrying Debra Milke in court would be “double jeopardy”, violating her Fifth Amendment right of not being tried twice for the same offense.

Saldate is attempting to refuse to testify at Milke’s retrial by asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. In December, a judge sided with Saldate, although prosecutors are currently challenging the ruling.

Why would Saldate choose to plead the fifth?

If Saldate changes his testimony now from what he said in the original trial, he could face criminal charges for violating Milke’s rights. If he maintains the same testimony, he could be pursued for perjury charges based on the appellate court’s evaluation that his testimony may not have been credible – including a concurring opinion by Justice Kozinski indicating he believed the confession probably had never taken place.

Until further notice, Milke’s retrial is set for February 2, 2015.

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