Phoenix, Arizona Criminal Attorneys

A recent DUI incident at the Oregon Dune National Recreation Area near Coos Bay underscores the critical need for safety and sobriety on the coast. Driver Jamison Ellis, 43, faced allegations of intoxication after a high-speed crash on September 2 left him and an unnamed passenger with serious injuries. Coos County Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio confirmed that Ellis was cited for DUII, while the Coos County District Attorney may impose further charges. The swift actions of witnesses and the Hauser Fire Department helped save the trapped passenger. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of responsible behavior while enjoying Oregon's natural beauty.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that cities in the western states, including Grants Pass, Oregon, can legally impose fines and jail time on unhoused individuals for sleeping outdoors, even when no shelter is available. This decision comes from a case involving Debra Blake, who faced penalties under Grants Pass's strict policies against camping in public spaces. Advocates for unhoused people, including civil rights organizations, warn this ruling may lead to increased criminalization of homelessness, negatively affecting job access and essential services. Justice Sonia Sotomayor's dissent emphasized the ruling’s potential to worsen the crisis as cities may now prioritize punitive measures over effective employment and housing solutions. The decision underscores the complex intersection of criminal defense, social welfare, and human rights within Oregon and surrounding areas.

Wade Bradford's defense did not convince the jury as they found him guilty in the shooting death of Natalie Allan.

Bradford and Allan had met when Allan worked in one of Bradford's massage parlors. While they were dating, Allan was also dating Kevin Myles, her massage client.

During the trial, the prosecutors told the court that Bradford had shot Allan when she broke up with him and she and Myles had gone to Bradford's place to get her things.

This was countered by Phoenix defense lawyer Jamie Jackson saying that Bradford did not know that he had shot Allan.

According to Jackson, the gun accidentally went off because Myles had suddenly lunged at Bradford.

The jury, however, did not buy this.

Aside from Allan's death, Bradford is also facing charges for the death of another of his former girlfriend, Eleanor Su.

Debra Jean Milke, the mother of Christopher, the four-year-old kid murdered by two men in 1989, will be retried on Sept. 30.

A few decades back, Milke was meted the death penalty after she was found guilty of handing her son to two men who killed the boy in the desert.

Prosecutors had told the court then that Milke made a confession to Det. Armando Saldate of the Phoenix Police. However, the detective had no recording of the confession.

The Federal Appellate court reversed Milke's conviction last March after ruling that the prosecution failed to tell the court of Saldate's several misdemeanours that resulted to dismissed cases.

Houston defense lawyer Michael Kimerer, representing Milke, said his client is still overwhelmed that she was allowed to post a bond for her release.

The prosecutors, however, said that they will again ask for the death penalty in Milke's retrial.

John Chester Stuart has been found guilty of shooting to death Thomas "Tom" Beasley after an argument on the road in 2008.

The jury did not buy Stuart's excuse that he was only trying to defend himself when Beasley got out of his vehicle to argue with him.

This was Stuart's second trial for the incident. The first one wherein he had represented himself ended in a hung jury.

In this trial, Stuart had hired Phoenix criminal lawyer Rick Poster for his defense.

With Stuart's sentencing slated for October 24, more than 40 years of prison stay looms for him.

In a concerning trend for local enterprises, video footage has surfaced showing burglars breaking into multiple North Side businesses in Chicago. The suspects, three males equipped with hammers, targeted spots in Andersonville, Norwood Park, and Edison Park early Friday morning. Authorities reported that the thieves successfully made off with cash and other valuables, including register drawers. Chicago police are actively investigating these incidents, urging anyone with tips to step forward to aid in apprehending the suspects. Criminal defense lawyers may soon see an uptick in cases linked to these burglaries as the investigation unfolds.

Bridget McDermott, a former inmate at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Oregon, was wrongly imprisoned for an additional 21 months due to a clerical error by the Oregon Department of Corrections. Initially expecting to be released on October 4, 2024, McDermott’s release was recalculated to July 5, 2022, revealing the chaotic nature of recent prison releases. Sarah Bieri, an attorney for the Oregon Justice Resource Center’s Women’s Justice Project, is exploring potential legal avenues for her client, who now seeks employment as a counselor. The transitions from prison have proven challenging for McDermott, who aims to reintegrate into society amidst significant changes.

A new lawsuit has unveiled allegations of widespread sexual abuse at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center on Chicago's Near West Side, claiming hundreds of victims since 1995. Attorneys Jerome Block and Todd Matthews highlight the tragic stories of former detainees who suffered repeated violations at the hands of staff members. The lawsuit, representing nearly 400 survivors, calls for urgent reform, urging Chicago officials to shut down the facility. Survivors, including Temarkus Washington and Phillip Goodwin, recount their harrowing experiences and demand accountability. Amid growing scrutiny, the Cook County Chief Judge's office has proposed new community care centers as alternatives to youth detention.

Portland police have arrested 23-year-old Alex Brown-Golden in connection with the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Shepherd in Northeast Portland. The incident occurred on Beech Street, where witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots before finding Shepherd collapsed on the sidewalk. Authorities are emphasizing the importance of legal representation in such severe criminal cases, highlighting the role of competent criminal lawyers in Oregon. This arrest underscores ongoing efforts to enhance public safety throughout the state. Further investigations are ongoing as the community seeks justice.

A Chicago man, Jonathan Byars, 26, has been sentenced to 25 years for orchestrating a series of armed robberies targeting cellphone stores throughout Illinois. In collaboration with several accomplices, Byars committed six robberies and attempted two more between 2019 and 2020, brandishing firearms to intimidate and assault employees. The crimes occurred in cities including Lansing, Rockford, and Joliet, prompting significant concern over community safety. U.S. Attorney's Office emphasized the danger posed by such delinquent conduct, as Judge Philip G. Reinhard imposed the sentence. Four additional Chicago men received sentences ranging from seven to 12 years for their involvement in these criminal acts.