Remona Charles was shocked to hear that the man that killed her 20-son, Chezray Young, in a drunk driving accident in 2016 has been arrested for a second time - for DUI.
DUI Driver Arrested Again for Second DUI Offense
Young was killed in a car crash in January 2016 in Tempe. Stanley Chu was suspected of drinking and driving when he crashed into the back of Young’s car.
“It (brought me back) to day one all over again. I can’t sleep,” said Charles, speaking of when she first heard new charges that have been brought against Chu for suspected of drinking and driving in Scottsdale. Chu was out on bond and awaiting his trial for the crash that killed Young when he was stopped for drunk driving in Scottsdale.
Young is hopeful that Chu is not let go on bond again for fear that he could hurt others.
“I would not want another person to endure this pain,” she said. “This pain is unexplainable. Do I feel like he would do it again? Yes. He doesn’t have any concern for anybody.”
According to legal experts, there’s not much Young can do. “In this case, because someone had a DUI, even if there was an injury or death associated with that, that wouldn’t be grounds to hold them without bail,” said James Arrowood with Arrowood Attorneys, PLLC.
“But there’s no absolute way when somebody is innocent until proven guilty and they haven’t gone to trial yet, there’s no absolute way that the government under the Constitution to protect other citizens from those people being free and about,” added Arrowood.
Currently, Chu is in jail and according to a Maricopa County Superior Court spokesperson, is still eligible for bail.
DUI in Arizona
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<a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/wrongful-death-attorney/labor-day-weekend-duis/">Driving under the influence (DUI)</a> or driving while intoxicated, is defined as: operating a means of conveyance (a motor vehicle) while excessive amounts of alcohol, or any kind of controlled substance, are present in the body.
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Under Arizona law:
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"It is unlawful for a person to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle in this state under any of the following circumstances:
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1. While under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, a vapor releasing substance containing a toxic substance or any combination of liquor, drugs or vapor releasing substances if the person is impaired to the slightest degree.
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2. If the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed either before or while driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle."
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DUI is serious and common offense. All 50 states, including the District of Columbia, have laws that state it is a crime for anyone to operate a motor vehicle if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above a certain level. In Arizona that level is 0.08.
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Under Arizona law: "A person who is convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor." And if convicted, a person may be subjected to the following under Arizona law:
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"1. Shall be sentenced to serve not less than ten consecutive days in jail and is not eligible for probation or suspension of execution of sentence unless the entire sentence is served.
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2. Shall pay a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars.
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3. May be ordered by a court to perform community restitution.
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4. Shall pay an additional assessment of five hundred dollars to be deposited by the state treasurer in the prison construction and operations fund. This assessment is not subject to any surcharge. If the conviction occurred in the superior court or a justice court, the court shall transmit the assessed monies to the county treasurer. If the conviction occurred in a municipal court, the court shall transmit the assessed monies to the city treasurer. The city or county treasurer shall transmit the monies received to the state treasurer.
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5. Shall pay an additional assessment of five hundred dollars to be deposited by the state treasurer in the public safety equipment fund. This assessment is not subject to any surcharge. If the conviction occurred in the superior court or a justice court, the court shall transmit the assessed monies to the county treasurer. If the conviction occurred in a municipal court, the court shall transmit the assessed monies to the city treasurer. The city or county treasurer shall transmit the monies received to the state treasurer.
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6. Shall be required by the department, on report of the conviction, to equip any motor vehicle the person operates with a certified ignition interlock device. In addition, the court may order the person to equip any motor vehicle the person operates with a certified ignition interlock device for more than twelve months beginning on the date of reinstatement of the person's driving privilege following a suspension or revocation or on the date of the department's receipt of the report of conviction, whichever occurs later. The person who operates a motor vehicle with a certified ignition interlock device under this paragraph shall comply with article 5 of this chapter."
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There are also specific laws that dictate what happens to repeat offenders. Consequences include additional fines, jail time, community service, and the revoking of that person's drivers license.
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<strong>Working with a Personal Injury Attorney for Your DUI Case</strong>
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If you have been involved in an automobile accident, you should immediately call a personal injury attorney that can help you build your case. If a loved one has been killed in a <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/car-accident-attorney-phoenix/">hit and run accident or car accident</a>, you'll want to immediately contact a personal injury attorney. They have the experience necessary to ensure you are able to prove your injuries or find justice for your deceased loved one so that you can collect the compensation you are owed.
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Here are some more reasons to hire an <a href="https://www.personalinjuryattorneys.me/personal-injury-attorney-mesa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">experienced personal injury attorney</a>:
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<b>Experience with assessing claims:</b> Personal injury attorneys are experts when it comes to these types of cases and can advise you from the beginning on if you have enough of a case to pursue legal action. There's no point in preparing for litigation if you do not have a solid case from the beginning. A personal injury attorney can assess your claim and save you time and money.
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<b>Cut through the red tape:</b> Personal injury cases come with a lot of complicated legal procedures, confusing medical terms, and paperwork. An experienced attorney is familiar with all the paperwork and can help you cut through the red tape so you can move on with your life.
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<b>Access to an investigative team:</b> Typically, attorneys work with a team of experienced investigators that will skillfully examine all the technical aspects of your case. You will want to provide your attorney with all of the information you have available to you so they can pass it on to the team.
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<b>Offer objectivity:</b> Without a doubt, you will experience anger, pain, frustration, and fear if you or a loved one have been involved in a personal injury accident. These emotions may impact your ability to see the facts clearly. An attorney will be objective about your case and the facts and will help you to understand all aspects of the case before you make a rash decision. For example, you may want to agree to a quick payout, but an objective attorney might advise you that it is in your best interests to wait for a more appropriate offer.
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<b>Alternative dispute resolution:</b> You might not need to go to trial. Many personal injury lawsuits reach a negotiation before going to court. A lawyer will be able to assess the case and determine if there are alternative dispute resolution methods (ADR), such as mediation or arbitration, that could resolve the case.
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<b>Experience resolving cases with other lawyers:</b> An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to deal effectively and quickly with the other side’s attorney, especially during the fact-finding part of litigation where parties are legally required to exchange facts and documents.
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<b>Experience working with insurance companies:</b> Insurance companies often move to settle quickly so they can receive their money and move on. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be accustomed to working with all the insurance companies involved and will not feel pressured by tactics or the pressure to settle.
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<b>Settlements: </b>Many personal injury cases are resolved before they go to trial. This means an attorney negotiates a settlement on behalf of the client. Typically a plaintiff gives up the right to sue in exchange for a payment from the defendant or an insurance company. This often resolves the case sooner than if the case went to trial.
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<b>Legal Strategy:</b> Should a case go to trial, a personal injury lawyer can represent you in court and work toward achieving the best possible jury verdict for you. He or she will be able to develop a legal strategy that will help you receive any and all compensation that is available for your injuries.
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Working with a Personal Injury Attorney
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The attorneys at Personal Injury Attorneys PLLC have experience handling personal injury cases such as DUI accidents.The help of an expert personal injury attorney who is well versed in the laws specific to automobile accidents in Arizona can help ensure you get the settlement you need and deserve.
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After contacting an attorney, they will investigate the specifics of the crash. The more information you can provide to them, the better. That means specifics of the crash, any witness information, any medical bills or time spent in the hospital, and the specifics of your injuries. They will build a case for you based on these specifics and then defend you should the case go to trial. You'll want to work with experienced personal injury attorneys like the ones at Personal Injury Attorneys PLLC.
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