An internal investigation by the Pinal County Sheriff's Office revealed breathalyzer records are missing, possibly resulting in the dismissal of at least six DUI cases. The Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday it had launched an investigation on June 4 after the County Attorney's Office contacted them regarding records for Intoxilyzer 8000, the device deputies use to detect levels of intoxication in suspected drunken drivers. The breathalyzer's calibration must be checked every 30 days and its functionality checked every 90 days, according to PCSO. If the sheriff's office does not produce records showing maintenance to the County Attorney's Office, some DUI cases may be dismissed on grounds that breath tests are inadmissible. The Sheriff's Office said it has not taken any disciplinary action and is now keeping records needed. An investigation is ongoing. If you have been charged with a DUI related offense, contact an aggressive attorney with extensive knowledge in the DUI laws. Contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation of your charges at arizonadui.com

The number of drivers involved in crashes in the Phoenix area rose over a recent eight-year period, and an increasing number of those accidents were fatal. The number of deadly accidents in Maricopa County had risen by more than 100 per year by 2006, the latest year for which figures are available. Among the findings of the Maricopa Association of Governments study: • The overall number of crashes has risen steadily since 1999, from 83,622 to 94,736 in 2006, a 13 percent increase. • The number of crashes with injuries has stayed roughly flat, declining 2.3 percent. • The number of fatal crashes increased 28.5 percent, from 396 crashes in 1999 to 509 in 2006. More recent statewide figures show some improvement, with traffic-related deaths down 17 percent from 2006 to 2007, according to the Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Council. Statewide traffic-related deaths reached 1,066 in 2007, compared with 1,288 the year before. Some reports suggest higher gas prices may be part of the reason fewer people are dying in accidents because people are driving fewer miles. The study of county traffic accidents was developed for MAG's Transportation Safety Committee, which coordinates safety measures in roadways. MAG hasn't analyzed the statistics. But Eric Anderson, the agency's transportation director, said numerous factors, including speed, roadway design, the mix of vehicles and the amount of traffic, play a part in crashes. The number of vehicles registered in Maricopa County grew from 2.33 million in 1999 to 3.86 million in 2006, an increase of 66 percent, according to the state's Motor Vehicle Division. That includes cars, trucks, all-terrain vehicles and even golf carts. According to MAG's study, most of the injury crashes were a result of rear-end collisions, while most of the fatal crashes were one-car accidents. It's unclear why there were more fatal crashes, but Kerry Wilcoxon, a Phoenix traffic engineer who heads the safety committee, said it could be due to an increase in high-speed accidents. "Those are less likely to be survivable," he said. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, contact Beauchamp Law Office for aggressive representation to compensate you for your injuries at arizonaaccidentinjury.com

NEW YORK - Disgraced ex-NBA official Tim Donaghy admitted that he'd brought shame on his profession Tuesday as a federal judge sentenced him to 15 months behind bars for a gambling scandal that still has the league on the defensive. U.S. District Judge Carol Amon sentenced Donaghy to prison time plus three years of supervised release, saying he'd let the sport down by taking thousands of dollars from a professional gambler in exchange for inside tips on games -- including ones he refereed. "The NBA, the players and the fans relied on him to perform his job in an honest manner," Amon said. Donaghy listened with his arms folded but showed no emotion. He told the judge that "I've brought shame on myself, my family and the profession." Defense attorney John Lauro asked Amon to give his 41-year-old client probation, saying the ex-official was a gambling addict who destroyed "the career he loved" and needed treatment, not incarceration. Donaghy also had sought to make amends by revealing "the good, the bad and the ugly" about the league's officiating, the attorney added. During the NBA finals, Donaghy said in a court filing that the league routinely encouraged refs to ring up bogus fouls to manipulate results, while discouraging them from calling technical fouls on star players. In the end, Amon refused Donaghy's plea to stay out of prison, though she imposed a penalty that was not as tough as the 33 months he could have received. Donaghy must surrender to prison on Sept. 23. Case closed for him. For the NBA, the damage lingers. Commissioner David Stern has made several moves to quell doubts about the integrity of the NBA's officiating, with more developments to come. Former Army Gen. Ron Johnson has been hired as senior vice president of referee operations, Bernie Fryer and Joe Borgia were promoted to new management positions and the league reassigned Ronnie Nunn, who had been the director of officials for five years. Still pending is a league-commissioned review of officiating by former federal prosecutor Lawrence Pedowitz. "I am conducting additional interviews and hope to obtain additional information from the government. My review is well-advanced but not complete," Pedowitz said Tuesday. No date has been set for the report's release. Justin Wolfers, an assistant professor of business and public policy at Penn's Wharton School, who co-authored a study that said white referees called fouls at a greater rate against black players than against white players, said the league needs to share all the information it has. "Any fan who sees anything other than transparency will have questions," he said. "I think they want to be as much of an open book with fans, journalists and researchers as they can possibly be." Perhaps most shocking were Donaghy's charges during the highly anticipated finals between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers that results were manipulated to help ticket sales and television ratings. The allegations -- contained in court papers arguing that Donaghy deserved leniency for voluntarily disclosing the alleged corruption -- included one instance claiming referees rigged a 2002 playoff series to force it to a revenue-boosting seventh game. Though the papers didn't name the teams involved, only the Los Angeles Lakers-Sacramento Kings series went to seven games during those playoffs. The Lakers went on to win the championship. Both Stern and the league's officials have said Donaghy made the claims to get a lighter sentence. "We anticipate that the judge's sentencing decision, together with the changes we have made to our referee operations staff, will enable us to continue with the improvements we are making to our anti-gambling rules, policies and procedures," Stern said Tuesday. "There is little comfort to be gained from the mandatory prison sentence, especially as it affects Mr. Donaghy's children and their mother, but hopefully the healing process can begin in earnest for all." The NBA could get a break from the Olympics, where the U.S. team is a heavy favorite to bounce back from a bronze-medal performance in 2004 and win the gold. MVP Kobe Bryant and all-star LeBron James, who has guaranteed victory, will lead a loaded U.S. team. Donaghy pleaded guilty last August to conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce in the tips-for-payoffs scheme. "By having this nonpublic information, I was in a unique position to predict the outcome of NBA games," he told a judge at the time. Lauro said that to clear his conscience, Donaghy began cooperating with prosecutors even before he was charged, and claimed he "provided the government a roadmap" to widespread misconduct in the NBA. "He told it all -- the good, the bad and the ugly," Lauro said. "He had to do it because it was the right thing to do ... The bottom line is that Mr. Donaghy has been a model cooperator." Prosecutors have said that though he deserved credit for helping make the case against two co-defendants -- both former high school classmates of Donaghy -- nothing else he alleged was criminal. At a sentencing last week, James Battista, a professional gambler and admitted drug addict, got 15 months in prison for making bets based on inside tips. Thomas Martino, the scheme's middleman, was sentenced to a year and one day for paying the referee thousands of dollars for the tips. The three men attended school together in Springfield, Pa. On Tuesday, the judge called Donaghy "more culpable" than the others. "Without Mr. Donaghy, there was no scheme," she said. The league had demanded nearly $1.4 million in restitution. But the judge last week set the restitution at $217,266, to be paid jointly by the three defendants. "Tim acted in a completely selfish and unforgivable way, and has forever compromised the way people look at sports and officiating," said Lamell McMorris, spokesperson for the National Basketball Referees Association. "However, NBA referees will continue to officiate with the highest level of integrity and professionalism." For a free consultation with a criminal defense attorney regardless of the charge(s), contact an attorney at Beauchamp Law Office by visiting arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

Seven people were hurt Monday morning after a speeding vehicle clipped another auto and then hit a Valley Metro bus, Glendale authorities said. Assistant Fire Chief Chris DeChant said two of the victims were transported to John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital. Each of them had been in the two vehicles. Two bus passengers were considered "minor-level patients," DeChant said. They were taken to Banner Thunderbird Medical Center. The remaining three victims were also on the bus but reportedly refused medical attention. DeChant said the collisions took place near 51st and Peoria avenues. The bus was westbound on Peoria Avenue, while the car that struck it was eastbound. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision, contact an experienced and aggressive personal injury attorney at Beauchamp Law Office or visit arizonaaccidentinjury.com for a free consultation of your claim

LOS ANGELES-Shia LaBeouf was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Sunday after an early morning wreck in which the "Indiana Jones" star injured his hand and knee, authorities said. LaBeouf was trying to make a left turn at a West Hollywood intersection around 3 a.m. when his pickup collided with another vehicle, rolling the truck over, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Wolf said. LaBeouf was booked then released for misdemeanor DUI. The 22-year-old actor was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and was being treated for injuries to his left hand and a knee, as well as a minor head injury. A woman passenger in LaBeouf's truck and the driver of the other vehicle were not seriously injured. the identities of the woman or the other driver were not known. The cause of the crash remained under investigation. The accident occurred when LaBeouf, who was headed northbound on La Brea Avenue, tried to turn onto Fountain Avenue. The intersection is the location of "High Voltage," the tattoo parlor where the TLC reality show "LA Ink" is filmed. LaBeouf starred in last year's summer smash hit "Transformers," and this year appears opposite Harrison Ford in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." LaBeouf has had previous brushes with the law, but until now they'd been relatively harmless - to the degree that they only served to reinforce his image as a Hollywood good guy with an edge. A drunken confrontation with guards at a Walgreens in Chicago late last year led to misdemeanor criminal trespassing charges. Arresting police in that incident noted that LaBeouf was "very courteous and polite," and the charge was dropped because the drug store didn't want to pursue the matter. LaBeouf was separately cited in February for smoking where he shouldn't in Burbank, but a judge later dismissed the charge. If you have been charged with a DUI related offense, contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation of your charges. To make an appointment for a free consultation with an experienced DUI attorney, visit phoenixarizonaduilawyer.com

After catching one of two people wanted in a series of break-ins, deputies in North Carolina let their fingers do the chasing to catch a second suspect. Catawba County sheriff's Maj. Coy Reid says that when deputies caught a 16-year-old suspect on Wednesday, they confiscated his cell phone. Soon, a text message arrived asking the teen if he had been caught. The deputies typed "no" in response. After a few more messages, the sender said he would try to pick up his friend, not knowing he was in custody. Deputies waited in an area where several break-ins had occurred. They say they arrested the 17-year-old texter after finding him in a car with three other people. Both teens face several charges, including larceny and breaking and entering. If your juvenile child has been charged with a criminal offense or may be facing charges, contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation with an experienced juvenile criminal attorney at arizonajuvenilelawyer.com

A York County man has been charged with homicide by vehicle in the death of a pedestrian in York. Brian Widmayer, 21, of Dover Township, turned himself in Thursday, York police said. Widmayer's car struck and killed 43-year-old David Peters in the 600 block of East Market Street in May, police said. Widmayer was texting on his cell phone when his car struck Peters, police said. Chief Deputy Prosecutor Tim Barker told a York newspaper that Widmayer both received a text message and sent one as he passed through the intersection of East Market and State streets at about 11:10 p.m. on May 7. Peters was crossing the intersection when he was struck by Widmayer's 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Barker said. Officers who investigated the accident found that Peters' body slid 64 feet after being hit by Widmayer's SUV and estimated Widmayer's speed between 30 and 36 mph, Barker said. The posted speed limit was 25 mph. Widmayer is also charged with accidents involving death or injury while not properly licensed, reckless driving, careless driving, careless driving resulting in death and driving without a license. If you or someone you love has been injured by the negligence of another, contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. An aggressive and knowledgeable attorney will be available for a free consultation of your claim. Contact arizonaaccidentinjury.com

A new appellate-court ruling tackles a long-standing issue for Arizona courts in DUI cases: control of a vehicle that isn't moving. That question typically involves people in parked cars, and that was the circumstance in the Arizona Court of Appeals' ruling in a Pima County case. A man had a blood-alcohol level of .357 percent and a revoked license when a police officer found him in a car with one hand on the steering wheel and the other putting the key in the ignition. Jurors were instructed to weigh whether the man's potential use of the vehicle presented a danger to himself or others. The appellate court says potential use of a vehicle isn't a crime and that the real issue is whether the defendant demonstrated actual control of the vehicle. The case is State vs. Zaragoza. Contact Beauchamp Law Office with any questions you may have regarding a DUI related offense. An aggressive and knowledgeable attorney will be available for a free consultation regarding your charges. Contact arizonadui.com

Though it has been nearly six months since an off-duty sheriff's deputy was cited for speeding in the Northwest Valley, a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office investigation into the matter is still pending. Peoria police in February ticketed Jason K. Parker, of Surprise, for driving 96 mph in a 45-mph zone in his Chevrolet Corvette. According to police reports, the 26-year-old deputy was also cited for failing to provide proof of insurance. Sheriff's Office officials said the agency would conduct an internal probe into the citation after they heard about the incident, and declined to comment until it was complete. A series of information requests to the Sheriff's Office about the case, which began on March 10, went unanswered. However, in a July 21 e-mail request for information, Capt. Paul Chagolla answered, "case still pending." Speeding was also apparently an issue while Parker was on the job, according to the deputy's annual evaluation, which was obtained by The Arizona Republic under the state Public Records Law. Parker's supervisor reported in Parker's Nov. 7, 2007, performance review that the deputy had been involved in two vehicle accidents in the past year, citing speed as a factor. In the off-duty speeding incident, a Peoria officer on his way home reported seeing a Corvette speeding near Grand and 111th avenues. The officer caught up to the vehicle in El Mirage, where he called for backup, police said. The car's driver was identified as Parker. State law states that speeding becomes a criminal offense if a driver exceeds the speed limit by more than 20 mph. However, a copy of the Peoria police citation shows that while Parker was cited for "excessive" speed, it was changed later to simple speeding.

Three people killed in a vehicle crash near Lake Pleasant are believed to be residents of Uzbekistan, a country in central Asia, authorities said Wednesday. Positive identification of the three, as well as notification of relatives, is still pending, said Bart Graves, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The head-on collision, which involved four vehicles, occurred about 6:20 p.m. Tuesday on Arizona 74, west of the lake, closing the highway in both directions until 4:18 a.m. Wednesday as DPS officers completed their investigation, he said. The victims, all passengers, were ejected from one of the cars involved in the crash, a gold passenger car that, after the collision, left what Graves described as "bio-hazardous material" strewn across the roadway. He did not identify the material. It is not believed that safety restraints would have saved the lives of the three, due to the severity of the collision, he said. Investigators believe that just prior to the crash, a white passenger van was heading east on Arizona 74 and was being followed by the gold car, Graves said. The driver of the gold vehicle tried to pass the van in a no-passing zone, striking a commercial vehicle that was heading west on the highway, followed by a box truck, he said. There was minor damage to the white van and box truck and all occupants were uninjured, Graves said. The driver of the commercial vehicle, believed to be from Arizona, was taken to a Glendale hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, he said. The driver of the gold car, who was wearing safety restraints, was airlifted to a Phoenix hospital and is expected to survive, Graves said. If you have lost a family member in a collision caused by another's negligence, contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation of your claim at arizonaaccidentinjury.com

Providence state police say they arrested a man Tuesday whose blood alcohol level was 0.491 percent - the highest ever recorded in Rhode Island for someone who wasn't dead. Stanley Kobierowski, 34, of North Providence was taken to a hospital, put in the detoxification unit and sedated.He was arraigned Tuesday on charges of driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest and he was released with a hearing date set for Friday. Kobierowski was arrested after he drove into a highway message board on Interstate 95 in Providence. After police arrived, Kobierowski had trouble getting out of the car, then grabbed it and refused to move, forcing troopers to carry him to the breakdown lane before taking him back to their barracks. A breath test showed blood alcohol readings of 0.489 percent, followed by 0.491, these were the highest readings state officials could remember for someone who didn't end up dead. The legal limit in Rhode Island is 0.08. A level of 0.30 is classified as stupor, 0.4 is comatose and 0.5 is considered fatal, according to the health department. If you have been charged with a DUI related offense it is important to seek the advice of an experienced DUI attorney. Contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation with an experienced attorney at phoenixarizonaduilawyer.com

Gilbert police arrested a 17-year-old boy Monday morning after he reportedly stole a Greenfield Junior High School golf cart and drove it until police eventually caught up with him in Mesa, according to a police report. Police spotted Shawn Thomas driving the golf cart on 32nd Street and Javelina Avenue in Mesa early Monday morning, about four miles north of the school. As police approached the golf cart, Thomas fled into a nearby neighborhood. Officers deployed their Tasers, "in an attempt to stop his escape," but were unsuccessful, according to the report. Thomas was eventually caught after a "significant search," and is charged with burglary, criminal damage and false reporting, according to the report. Another golf cart was reported damaged at the junior high school. If your juvenile child is facing a criminal offense make your first step consulting with an attorney with experience with the juvenile criminal justice system. Contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation at arizonajuvenilelawyer.com

A motorcycle ride to a barbecue Sunday turned into a painful hospital stay for an off-duty sheriff's deputy who collided with a suspected drunken illegal immigrant. Jose Torres, 47, who suffered three broken ribs, a broken collarbone and road rash in the 2:30 p.m. crash, was helpless as he lay on the pavement and watched the driver leave. "I said, 'Where you going? Stop,' " Torres said Monday from his hospital bed. Two witnesses who saw Abel Garcia-Deniz, 40, flee the scene at Mesa Drive and Eighth Avenue followed him and kept him from leaving when he pulled over about a mile away, police said. Detective Steve Berry, Mesa police spokesman, said the witnesses didn't need to use any physical force on Garcia. Police arrested Garcia on suspicion of leaving the scene of an injury accident and aggravated assault, according to court documents. Garcia showed several signs of being drunk when police spoke with him, according to court documents. He had no insurance and is in the country illegally. The crash occurred about a mile from where Sheriff Joe Arpaio set up shop to conduct immigration sweeps June 26-27. Mesa police showed up in force to keep peace between opposing factions of the immigration sweeps. Torres accused Mesa police of getting in the way of the sheriff's operation. "If Sheriff Joe had been allowed to do his job, maybe this guy would have been rounded up," said Torres, his raspy voice barely above a whisper. Mesa police Chief George Gascón declined to comment on Torres' statement. Torres, whose motorcycle was a custom Harley-Davidson with a paint scheme to honor fallen police officers, firefighters and military personnel, said Garcia's most egregious act was leaving him injured in the road. If you have been charged with a DUI offense contact Arizona's top DUI defense firm for a free consultation with an experienced attorney at arizonadui.com

If someone you know has been arrested and charged with a criminal offense, contact our office for a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

A Mesa teenager was likely enjoying his recent freedom with his mother and grandmother when he got a surprise Wednesday night. That's when Mesa police Detective Nancy Spina knocked at his door and began the process to send the 16-year-old boy back to jail. Spina began tracking him down after learning his fingerprints matched those on a green Neon stolen last year in Mesa. The teenager, who has had at least 51 involvements with police, had just bonded out of jail on two stolen-vehicle charges. Cases like this are why west Mesa's Dobson patrol district spent two days this week targeting juveniles to reduce serious crime, which spikes during the summer. The first night, Wednesday, police made eight felony arrests and 10 misdemeanor arrests. The "Dobson Night Out" detail focused on juveniles breaking curfew and on underage drinking. Officers arrested three juveniles. They identified one new gang member and re-contacted three documented juvenile gang members. Police focused their efforts from the U.S. 60 to Broadway Road and from Mesa Drive to Dobson Road, where the majority of aggravated assaults and armed robberies occur in the district. Juvenile traffic Wednesday was low, police say. Their goal is to keep juveniles off the streets and to keep them from becoming crime victims. "I was really impressed with the level of work and dedication our officers exhibited last night," Mesa police Dobson operations Lt. Lee Rankin said. Rankin said the operation appeared to be successful in keeping serious crime down, with only one strong-arm robbery Wednesday night. But high enforcement was only one part of the operation. For the first time, Dobson patrol officers set up their command post at the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley Grant Woods Branch. Gang detectives and crime specialists spoke to nearly 100 kids about the dangers of gangs. If your child has been charged with a juvenile crime, contact an attorney with experience in the juvenile court system to assist you every step of the way. Contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation at arizonajuvenilelawyer.com

A pilot Department of Public Safety photo speed-enforcement program will soon mushroom from just two mobile vans to 60 stationary cameras and 40 vans snapping speeders along the state's roadways. The citation-generating cameras could potentially pump millions into Arizona's budget, but the program is drawing criticism because it lets drivers pay the ticket without license points or insurance consequences. DPS announced the numbers Thursday, saying they will target spots around Phoenix and Tucson like major freeway interchanges known for speed-related crashes. Expansion will start Sept. 26, and all 100 devices are expected to be operating by January. Citations carry $165 civil fines but no other consequences. Critics say allowing violators to pay the tickets this way is a ruse to raise money and help the state out of a budget deficit. "This will create an autobahn for the wealthy," said Barrett Marson, spokesman for House Republicans, referring to the German roadway system where the speed limit is 130 kilometers, or about 81 miles, per hour, in some sections. "People who can afford to pay can drive at higher speeds. There's no reason to do it this way other than to create an incentive to pay the fine and not to challenge it," he said, adding the provision was slipped into the budget under lawmakers' radar. Senate Minority Leader Marsha Arzberger, D-Willcox, said beefed-up photo enforcement was part of the negotiated state budget. Higher payment rates are a good thing, and fines are punishment for speeding, she said. "There is nothing wrong with making speeders pay." Recent figures released by Chandler show only about 10 percent of the city's photo-enforcement citations issued are paid. Unlike the DPS citations, the city's are forwarded to the state Department of Motor Vehicles and carry license penalties and potential insurance-rate increases. However, cases are dismissed if drivers didn't acknowledge receipt of the citations and were not served, court administrator Carla Boatner said. Evidence from a pilot DPS mobile enforcement program that started in October with two vehicles shows the enforcement vans are reducing accidents, DPS spokesman Lt. James Warriner said. The test focused on the most dangerous stretches road in Maricopa and Pinal counties. One of the prime targets has been Arizona 347, the popular route from west Chandler to Wildhorse Pass Casino, Firebird Lake, Puerto Peñasco and San Diego. Before cameras started nabbing speeders, the agency responded to two or three serious collisions along the stretch every week, Warriner said. "Now there have been only one or two accidents here in the last six months." Numbers from the test program also show its money-generating potential. A citation van frequently stationed along Interstate 10 or on Arizona 347 is generating so many tickets that Keith Frankel, Chandler San Marcos justice of the peace, said he might have to extend court hours to handle them. The two enforcement vans generated 2,063 speeding tickets in Maricopa County between Feb. 1 and June 28. Numbers for Pinal County, where they were also stationed, were not available. Frankel said that before the program started, planners told him they expected just 50 a month. Drivers who don't respond to mailed citations or who are challenging the citation are summoned to appear in the San Marcos or Casa Grande justice courts, depending on where the speeder was photographed. "So far we haven't seen a huge number, but we're getting ready for the influx," said Karma Buckner, chief clerk for the Casa Grande court. The vendor for the expanded program, Redflex Traffic Systems, will get about $20 million, according to DPS Director Roger Vanderpool.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's immigration and crime sweeps are being targeted in a lawsuit that alleged his officers have racially profiled countless Hispanics. The attack on the sweeps alleged the officers based some traffic stops on the race of Hispanics who were in vehicles, had no probable cause to pull them over and made the stops so they could inquire about their immigration status. "From what we have been hearing on the ground, (Arpaio) has been violating people's civil rights left and right," said Kristina Campbell, an attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, one of the groups pushing the allegations. The allegations were filed Wednesday as part of an existing lawsuit. While Arpaio defends the sweeps in Phoenix, Guadalupe, Mesa and other cities as crime suppression efforts, he has been criticized heavily for conducting the crackdowns in heavily Hispanic areas and has fueled a backlash from some officials who consider the operations to be an unwanted intrusion into their communities. Sheriff's spokesman Capt. Paul Chagolla declined to comment on the lawsuit's contents, but said the agency doesn't racially profile people and that the sweep allegations were an attempt to refresh a civil case against the sheriff. "This is not a new lawsuit," Chagolla said. Allegations about the sweeps were added to a lawsuit, filed in December, that alleges a Mexican man in the country legally was unnecessarily detained by a deputy investigating the man's immigration status. Among Arizona's local police bosses, Arpaio has taken the most aggressive approach to cracking down on illegal immigration. His efforts include creating a special immigration unit, arresting more than 1,000 illegal immigrants under a state smuggling law and setting up a hot line to report immigration violations. The latest court filing alleged Arpaio, who has 160 patrol and jail officers trained in enforcing federal immigration law, has let deputies and posse volunteers perform immigration duties when they weren't trained to do so. The federal agency that gave the officers the special training has said the sheriff has stayed within the bounds of its training agreement. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, who disapproved of the sweeps in Phoenix and has become Arpaio's most prominent critic, has asked for a federal investigation of Arpaio for possible civil rights violations. The U.S. Justice Department has declined to say whether it would investigate the sheriff.

HOUSTON - A company official says a crane collapse at a southeast Houston refinery has killed four people and injured six others. Fire Department Assistant Chief Omero Longoria says a crane several hundred feet long fell over at the LyondellBasell refinery at about 2 p.m. Jim Roecker, LyondellBasell's vice president for refining, says those killed and injured were contract employees. Longoria says five people were taken to area hospitals. He says two were in critical condition and three others were being treated for trauma-related injuries. Roecker says about 1,500 contract workers are employed at the refinery. If a loved one has been taken from you by a catastrophic injury, or you have been the victim of the negligence of another, we would like to hear from you. Contact an experienced and knowledgeable attorney at Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation by clicking on Beauchamplawoffice.com

A 60-year-old Chandler resident was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street at Alma School and Pecos Roads early Wednesday morning. He was taken to a Scottsdale hospital and is recovering after surgery. The man told police in an interview at the hospital that he had a walk sign and was at the crosswalk about 5:15 a.m. when the vehicle hit him, said Detective David Ramer, a police spokesman. The investigation is continuing and detectives have spoken with the driver. It's unclear yet whether any charges will be filed or citations issued, Ramer said. If you have been injured in a pedestrian/motor vehicle collision, do not give a statement to any insurance company before contacting Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation of your personal injury claim at arizonaaccidentinjury.com

Law-enforcement officers from Peoria and other West Valley agencies will hit the streets Friday night for a crackdown on drunken driving. The effort by the West Valley DUI Task Force will be hosted by Peoria police from a staging area at the Peoria Public Safety Administration Building, 8351 W. Cinnabar Ave., near downtown Peoria. The goal of the crackdown, which will be funded by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, is "to make our streets safer," said Mike Tellef, a Peoria police spokesman. Joining the effort will be officers from Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Phoenix, Surprise and Tolleson, as well as the Arizona Department of Public Safety and state Liquor Department, he said. If you have been charged with a DUI offense, contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation with an experienced and aggressive attorney at phoenixarizonaduilawyer.com

Phoenix police have identified a second case that the brother of one of the accused serial shooters may be involved in. On Tuesday, police said Jeffrey Hausner, brother of Dale Hausner, stabbed 35-year-old Timothy Davenport in a west Phoenix parking lot. Around 6 a.m. on May 17, 2006, Davenport was stabbed repeatedly in the back and left side in a parking lot at 4827 N. 75th Ave. Jeffrey Hausner is serving a 7  1/2-year prison term for the stabbing of a homeless man on April 14, 2006. That case has not been linked to the serial shooters' killing spree. Dale Hausner and Samuel Dieteman were arrested in August 2006 at their Mesa apartment. They are charged in connection with a monthslong spree of violence across the Valley that left eight people dead and 14 others wounded. Authorities allege that the pair drove around Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale and shot people and animals at random with a shotgun. Dieteman has pleaded guilty to two murders and has agreed to testify against Dale Hausner, who faces eight murder charges and has pleaded not guilty. Investigators believe that Dale Hausner and Dieteman were with Jeff Hausner during the stabbing of Davenport. The case was submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for prosecution, and Jeffrey Hausner is now facing charges of attempted murder in that stabbing. Jeffrey Hausner has also been linked to another shooting police say involved his brother and Dieteman. That one was in November 2005 and involved the killing of Nathaniel Schoffner, a transient who tried to intervene to stop the men from killing a dog in Phoenix. If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offense, contact an experienced aggressive criminal defense attorney at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

Blood rushed from the unconscious man's head. A crowd gathered as men pushed and threatened each other and women holding the victim yelled at the man in the Arizona Cardinals jersey who had thrown the knock-out punch. When Chandler police arrived in the first minutes of 2008 at McDuffy's Bar & Grill, 980 E. Pecos Road, there was more fighting before two men left in handcuffs: Levi Pew, 25, who was charged a month later with manslaughter, and Jeremy Self, 36, who was booked on suspicion of disorderly conduct, interfering with a police investigation and resisting arrest. Self of Mesa alleges in a June 27 notice of claim that he was trying to keep the peace and help the injured man, Wallace Murray, 25, when Chandler police tackled him from behind, stung him with a Taser and broke his elbow. The claim is paperwork a plaintiff must file before suing a government agency in Arizona. Self also alleges the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office didn't provide adequate medical treatment while he was in jail for three days after the incident. The Chandler Police Department declined comment for this story. However, Chandler police officers who responded to the fight wrote in their reports they told Self three times to back away from the injured man before they placed him under arrest and he resisted. Reports say it took three officers to take down Self, a personal trainer and construction worker who stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 260 pounds. Officers also wrote in their reports that Self admitted to not listening to them. Some of the witnesses, including his wife, said police were telling him to back away, the report states. Self declined to be interviewed for this story, but his attorney, Joel Robbins, said police were just telling people to step aside and never announced their presence as they arrived to control the mob. If they had done that, Robbins said, Self would have complied instantly. "They just kind of jumped on Jeremy," Robbins said. According to the police report, Self was at the restaurant with a party of 10 while Pew and Murray, brothers-in-law, were there with their wife and girlfriend and some other friends. Self had a brief exchange of words with Pew, but nothing came of it. Pew, Murray and their party were then kicked out of the bar by the manager of McDuffy's and the two men got into a shouting match outside. Pew eventually punched Murray once in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. He suffered a fractured skull and a doctor declared him brain dead the next day. Self was leaving when he saw Murray on the ground and determined he wasn't breathing. He went to Murray's aid but then saw that Pew and one of his friends were about to fight, so he jumped up to intervene. Police wrote that when they arrived Self and Pew were in a pushing match. Self, whose hands and arms were covered in Murray's blood, said he was walking back to Murray when police tackled him from behind. "Jeremy says he did not know it was police when they made physical contact with him," homicide detective Brett Lockwood wrote in his report. If you have been injured by the negligence of another, contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation of your claim at beauchamplawoffice.com

Police responding to burglar alarms early Thursday morning discovered a trail of blood between two Mesa businesses left by a man surveillance tapes show walked barefoot over broken glass after smashing store windows with a rock. About 5 a.m. police responded to alarms at Taco Bell, Subway and Water & Ice in the same shopping complex on East Brown Road near Mesa Drive. According to a police report, the man's first target was the Taco Bell. Video surveillance showed him walking around inside moving objects but not taking anything, police said. Next he went to Subway where surveillance shows the man walking over broken glass from the smashed window in bare feet. The tape shows he left the restaurant abruptly after being startled by something. Police discovered a blood trail that began in Subway and led them to Water & Ice, where it was discovered that a cash register and cash was taken. Police found Anthony Lazzaroni, 18, walking in a nearby canal after he was pointed out by witnesses as a possible suspect. During interviews with police, Lazzaroni - who had cuts on the bottom of his feet that required medical attention - appeared to be sleepy and lethargic and said he did not know his address because he is living with friends and has only lived in Arizona for two weeks, authorities said. He was arrested on suspicion of three counts of third-degree burglary. The stolen items were not recovered. If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offense, contact an attorney with the necessary experience to efficiently handle your claim. Contact an attorney at Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation of your case at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

A Knoxville Tennessee man says he was so consumed by the spirit of God that he fell and hit his head while worshipping. Now he wants Lakewind Church to pay $2.5 million for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Matt Lincoln says he is suing after the church's insurance company denied his claim for medical bills. The 57-year-old has had two surgeries since the June 2007 injury but still feels pain in his back and legs. He says he was asking God to have "a real experience" while praying. Lincoln says he has fallen from the force of the spirit before but has always been caught by someone. Lawyers for the church say other congregants saw him on the floor laughing after his fall. They say he failed to look out for his own safety.

Less than a month before Baseline Killer suspect Mark Goudeau is set to go on trial in the slayings of eight women and one man, his lawyer wants to send his murder case back to a grand jury. His lawyer claims the grand jury that returned an indictment of Goudeau last year was biased. He said Friday it's likely the Aug. 6 trial date will be pushed back while a judge can decide the matter. County Attorney Andrew Thomas said he will push to get a trial started as soon as possible. "Our office will do its utmost to make sure this case moves forward to trial despite these last-minute efforts," Thomas said in a statement. Goudeau faces 74 criminal charges, including nine murder counts, stemming from a crime spree in 2005 and 2006 that police have attributed to the "Baseline Killer," named for the south Phoenix street where many of the early attacks took place. He has pleaded not guilty. The slayings were behind one of two serial murder investigations that put the Phoenix area on edge for months during the summer of 2006. In addition to the Baseline Killer case, assailants dubbed the "serial shooters" were also on the loose. One of two men arrested in that case has pleaded guilty to two counts of murder. Samuel Dieteman agreed to testify against his co-defendant, Dale Hausner, who faces eight murder charges and has pleaded not guilty. In court documents, Goudeau's lawyer pointed out that the grand jury forewoman was Goudeau's neighbor. During a Jan. 12, 2007, hearing, the forewoman told prosecutors that media reports about the killings made her scared of him. The forewoman added that she was "prejudicial somewhat toward him," according to court documents. When the prosecutor asked her to elaborate, she said in front of other jurors that: "I was just -- I'm scared because I'm thinking, you know, he was just like right on the street right next to me and if indeed, you know, (he) committed these things, it just -- it made me scared to think I live nearby." Prosecutors point out in a response to the defense lawyer's request that the forewoman said during the hearing that she had not made her mind up about the truth of the allegations against Goudeau. The forewoman also said she could be impartial in the case. Four days later, on Jan. 16, 2007, the grand jury returned an indictment against Goudeau. Judge Warren Granville scheduled a hearing on Aug. 1 to discuss the issue. The next trial for Goudeau will be his second in the Baseline Killer case. Goudeau was convicted last year of sexually assaulting two sisters -- attacks also blamed on the Baseline Killer -- and sentenced to 438 years in prison. To speak with an experienced, aggressive and knowledgeable attorney regarding pending criminal charges, contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

A victim's clue led to the arrest of two teens accused of burglarizing and spray-painting obscene graffiti in a Mesa woman's home Wednesday. The victim, Elizabeth Williams, said during the initial investigation that her son's friend called the house Monday, shortly after she left for work. Although the call was not answered, the number left on the caller ID led authorities to the first suspect, the son's friend, a Mesa Police press release said. Eventually another teen was linked and both went to the police station, along with their parents, where they reportedly admitted their involvement. The teens led authorities to the stolen property and, with the exception of some jewelry, all of the stolen goods were recovered. Both were booked on one count of second-degree burglary and one count of felony criminal damage. Due to the graphic nature of the graffiti, the case was also referred to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office to be reviewed as a hate crime. When dealing with Juvenile criminal charges, it is very improtant to seek the advice of an attorney experienced in juvenile criminal proceedures. If you have a juvenile child or relative facing criminal charges, contact an experienced, aggressive attorney at Beauchamp Law Office at arizonajuvenilelawyer.com

Close to 300 people throughout the state were arrested with DUIs during the Independence Day Holiday DUI Task Force enforcement. The campaign started Thursday and is led by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. Seventy agencies and 399 officers participated, making 3,700 traffic stops throughout the weekend. Eighty-four of the 297 received extreme DUIs, with at least .15 blood alcohol content. The average BAC was .14. Police also gave out 141 minor underage consumption citations. Officers conducted saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and youth alcohol enforcement statewide throughout the weekend. Final numbers through Sunday will be available today. If you were charged with a DUI related offense, contact an experienced attorney for a free consultation at arizonadui.com

Chandler settled a police brutality case and won a judgment in a lawsuit in federal court in June. The city agreed to pay $7,500 to Stephen Madrid, 32, who accused a Chandler police officer of beating him with a flashlight while he was handcuffed on Nov. 15, 2005. "One of the reasons we settled was he needed to get on with his life," said G. David DeLozier, Madrid's attorney. Madrid complained of lingering medical problems sustained from the alleged beating, which would have been difficult to prove at trial, DeLozier said. A trial would have cost Chandler and his client much more than $7,500, DeLozier said. According to court documents, officer Mark Olivier went downtown in response to a 911 call made by Madrid. Police had responded to two calls in previous hours involving Madrid, but the victims in those calls refused to press charges. Olivier then arrested Madrid for a false 911 call. Madrid was agitated, talking gibberish and uncooperative, court records say. Madrid kicked Olivier in the face, bruising and cutting his face, and in the ensuing struggle "both parties received further injury," the document states. Madrid was charged with aggravated assault and was acquitted at trial in May 2007. In the other incident, U.S. District Judge John W. Sedwick granted judgment on June 26 in favor of the city and a police officer in a case in which a Chandler man accused police of violating his constitutional rights by ticketing him for parking on an unimproved surface, a misdemeanor violation of the city code. Michael Sembach also sued a city judge for issuing an arrest warrant after he failed to show in court and the police officer who arrested him. Sembach argued that the officer had to possess the warrant when the arrest occurred. Sedwick wrote that there were no constitutional violations. Sedwick refused to grant the city attorney fees, however, saying that "although a lawyer can easily see the lack of foundation," Sembach represented himself. If you or a loved one has been injured by the negligence of another person(s), contact an attorney at Beauchamp Law Office at beauchamplawoffice.

The overturned black Kia Spectra lying at the edge of Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn hospital's parking lot drew the attention of three women walking along Drinkwater Boulevard Thursday morning. "What happened?" one of the women asked as she peered at the yellow police tape and small shards of broken glass around the mangled sedan. The concerned reaction was exactly what Scottsdale Healthcare's trauma unit is hoping for. "It's intended to heighten people's awareness. People are so busy, they don't take the time to stop and think, especially younger people who think they are invincible," said Vicki Bennett, Scottsdale Healthcare's trauma program manager. The wreckage is part of the hospital's effort to raise awareness about trauma injuries and the dangers of drunken driving, especially during this prom and graduation season, as well as the approaching Memorial Day holiday. The donated car, which went on display Tuesday, was the brainchild of the hospital's trauma staff, who witness a large number of what they describe as "preventable" crashes. The wrecked car, which faces Drinkwater north of Osborn Road, is expected to be on display until the end of the month. Osborn hospital, the East Valley's only Level 1 trauma center, treated about 3,600 trauma patients last year, according to hospital reports. Of those, about 91 percent were blunt trauma injuries, which arise mainly from vehicle crashes, bicycle injuries and falls. The other 9 percent involved penetrating injuries, which typically include gunshot and stab wounds. Bennett said there are a number of common-sense measures motorists can take to keep themselves safe. Those include wearing a seat belt, not running red lights and not engaging in distracting activities such as speaking on a cell phone while driving. And certainly not driving after drinking. If the display gets people to think before getting into their cars, the campaign will be a success, Bennett said. "Even reaching one person can make a difference," she said.

SAN FRANCISCO, California -- The parents of a teenager killed by an escaped tiger at the San Francisco Zoo filed a claim against the city Thursday, seeking monetary compensation for the mauling of their 17-year-old son. Carlos Sousa Jr. died December 25 when a Siberian tiger named Tatiana escaped its enclosure and attacked the San Jose teenager and two of his friends. Kulbir and Paul Dhaliwal were injured before police shot the tiger dead. Sousa's parents, Carlos and Marilza Sousa, allege the city did not properly house the tiger, noting that the enclosure failed to meet height standards set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which accredits U.S. zoos. The city of San Francisco "knew the tiger's enclosure was insufficient and thereby knowingly exposed zoo patrons to extremely dangerous, wild animals," according to the claim filed Thursday with the city controller's office. In addition to financial compensation, Sousa's family wants the city to make sure all enclosures at the San Francisco Zoo meet standards set by the zoo association. The city has 45 days to respond to the wrongful death and negligence claim, which is a precursor to a lawsuit, said the family's attorney, Michael Cardoza. "They didn't house the animal properly, so they are responsible for both the death of Carlos Sousa Jr. and the tiger," Cardoza said. "If they had done their job properly, neither one of them would be dead." In the claim, Sousa's parents say they haven't been able to complete their own investigation into the attacks because the police department has not released reports or investigative information. City Attorney Dennis Herrera declined to comment on the claim filed Thursday because he had not seen it. The city last week disputed claims filed by the Dhaliwal brothers alleging negligence and defamation and seek monetary compensation for their injuries. The brothers said they were the targets of a "smear campaign" by a consultant hired by the zoo's manager regarding their role in possibly provoking the attack. Herrera's office said that an investigation found that the city was not liable for those injuries and that the claims should be referred to the San Francisco Zoological Society, the zoo manager, and to the society's insurance company. Mark Geragos, an attorney for the Dhaliwals, said Thursday that he plans to sue soon, possibly next week. If you or someone you love has been seriously or fatally injured due to the negligence of another, contact an experienced aggressive attorney at beauchamplawoffice.com

Elizabeth Nelligan, 24, sued Dr. Mark Radzicki in 2005, claiming that during a social visit to his house, Radzicki broke her foot after he knocked her over while he was intoxicated. On Monday, a jury in Hampden Superior Court in Springfield awarded Nelligan $5 million. An additional $1 million in interest was awarded by the court. Radzicki was Nelligan's primary care physician when she and her mother went to his house for dinner in January 2005. Nelligan's mother was dating Radzicki at the time. In her negligence lawsuit, Nelligan said Radzicki became intoxicated, then staggered, stepped onto her right foot, lost his balance and fell on her. Nelligan said she was knocked to the floor, with her foot underneath her. Her attorney, Charlotte Glinka, said X-rays taken the next day did not show a broken bone, but follow up X-rays several weeks later showed a healing fracture in her foot. The injury developed into a condition known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, or RSD, a chronic neurological syndrome with symptoms including severe burning pain, tissue swelling and increased sensitivity to touch. Entertainer Paula Abdul has said she was diagnosed with RSD in 2004. Glinka said Nelligan, who was a college student when she was injured, has suffered nearly constant pain since and was forced to drop out of school for two years to manage it. She said Nelligan, who returned to college last fall, abandoned plans to go to medical school because she believes her pain would make it impossible for her to handle the demands of being a doctor. "What the jury heard was that she could live another 50-plus years and she will always have this," Glinka said. "It can wax and wane, and it can be better at times and worse at times, but it will always be there." During the trial, Radzicki denied Nelligan's claim that he was drunk. Radzicki, a general practitioner in Springfield, could not be reached for comment on the jury's verdict. Messages left for him Wednesday at his office were not immediately returned. His attorney, Timothy Netkovick, also did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Glinka said Nelligan had surgery to implant a spinal stimulator, which has relieved some of the pain from her condition, also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Nelligan still takes pain and antidepressant medication, Glinka said.

A Phoenix jury convicted a Valley father on Thursday accused of starving his three young children for what he called a "vegan lifestyle." The jury convicted Parker of lesser charges. The three yound children, who allegedly were fed a strict vegan diet -- no meat or animal byproducts, suffered from severe malnutrition, barely looking their ages. The jury -- seven men and five women -- found Blair Parker guilty on all three counts, but they were lesser charges of negligent child abuse and wreckless child abuse. The lesser charges mean there is no mandatory prison time and Parker will be eligible for parole. The kids' mother, Kimu Parker, had already been found guilty of the more severe charges of child abuse. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Blair Parker's trial begain about a month ago. Like his wife, he faced a possible sentence of 30 years. The children were taken into state custody in the spring of 2005. Photos of them stunned the Valley. An 11-year-old girl weighed just 36 pounds. Her 9-year-old brother weighed 29 pounds. The youngest child, a 3-year-old girl, weighed only 12 pounds. The doctor who examined her said she could see every bone in the child's body. The case came to light after the 3-year-old was rushed to the hospital because of seizures. The Parkers said at the time that they had their children on a strict vegan diet. A social worker said that after the children were hospitalized, they grew and gained weight. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, Beauchamp Law Office has attorneys available 24/7 for a consultation for your charges. Contact arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com