Domestic Violence
As a criminal law specialist who also handles an array of high-conflict divorce, child custody and other family law matters, attorney Bruce Blumberg is familiar with the issues of spousal abuse, child abuse and other incidents of domestic violence. We are aware that allegations of domestic violence are often untrue, or highly exaggerated, whether due to innocent misunderstandings or a desire to gain leverage in a divorce or child custody dispute. The consequences of a domestic violence finding are swift and severe. Long before any criminal trial or conviction for abuse, you can be forced out of your home, forced to relinquish firearms, and kept from having any contact with your children, often while being required to pay support at the same time.
Blumberg & Associates provides a strong, assertive defense against unfounded accusations of domestic violence. We’ll fight hard to protect your name, reputation and relationship with your children while helping you avoid the jail time and criminal record that can result from being found guilty of domestic violence.
Juvenile Offenses
The goal of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation, not punishment. For minors arrested for juvenile or criminal offenses, the juvenile system is almost always preferable to being put through the criminal system. Yet under Arizona law, some juveniles must be tried as adults for certain offenses, and even where it isn’t required, prosecutors can file charges in adult court, or juvenile court judges can transfer cases to criminal court. In many situations a juvenile charged in adult court may be entitled to a transfer hearing to return to juvenile court. Of particular significance is the area of juvenile sex crimes. It is vital to retain a criminal defense attorney with experience in handling juvenile sex crimes. The treatment of juveniles in this area differs substantially from that of adults. Bruce Blumberg is experienced across the spectrum of juvenile offenses. At Blumberg & Associates, we know the right steps to take to help your son or daughter get the best result after an arrest for a criminal offense or status offense in Phoenix or surrounding areas.
Probation Violations
Getting sentenced to a period of probation is an alternative to incarceration that, for many people, amounts to an excellent outcome in their criminal case. However, if during the probation period you commit any criminal offense or otherwise break the terms of your probation, the jail sentence which had been suspended or deferred can be imposed, without the benefit of a full trial. It is important to be aware of this possibility before you plead guilty to an offense in order to get probation. Talk to your attorney about whether a plea or trial is in your best interests.
Besides staying out of trouble, other common terms of probation include reporting to your probation officer as required, allowing the probation officer into your home, keeping a job, staying within a specified geographical region, refraining from associating with certain individuals, and submitting to random alcohol and drug tests.
If found in violation of probation, the court could send you to jail, lengthen your period of probation or add more restrictions to your current probation. You are entitled to due process before your probation can be modified or revoked, and you are entitled to be represented by an attorney. At Blumberg & Associates, we can submit evidence and testimony to challenge whether you actually violated the terms of your probation or show that your constitutional rights were violated. We may also be able to help modify or terminate overly restrictive probation that is keeping you from getting or maintaining a job or being with your kids.