Vehicular Assault Attorney In Chandler

Support When Vehicular Assault Allegations Turn Your Life Upside Down

Being accused of causing a serious crash is frightening, especially when police or prosecutors use terms like "felony" or “vehicular assault.” If you are facing these types of accusations in Chandler, you may be worried about prison, your job, and your family’s future. At Jacobo Law Firm, PLLC, we defend people who are charged after serious injury crashes in Chandler and throughout Maricopa County. Our firm is led by attorney Manny A. Jacobo, who has more than 16 years of experience in the legal field and previously served as a prosecutor. We draw on that experience to anticipate how the State may try to build its case against you. You do not have to navigate this alone. We offer free, confidential consultations so you can understand your situation and your options before you make decisions that affect the rest of your life.

Call (480) 470-0823 today to set up a consultation, or contact us online to learn more. Our attorneys are ready to help.

Facing Vehicular Assault Charges

After a serious crash, it is common to feel shock, guilt, and confusion. Those emotions can intensify when you learn that the incident is being treated as a criminal case instead of a tragic accident. In Arizona, prosecutors may pursue felony charges when they believe a driver caused serious physical injury through reckless, aggressive, or impaired driving.

Depending on the allegations, a vehicular assault type case can bring exposure to prison time, lengthy probation, substantial fines, restitution to injured people, and long-term consequences for your driver’s license. A conviction can also affect employment opportunities, professional licensing, housing applications, and, for some noncitizens, immigration status. These collateral consequences can be as damaging as the direct sentence. You may worry that you already harmed your case by talking to the police or apologizing at the scene. In our experience, many people say things under stress that are later taken out of context. Charges are not the same as a conviction, and there are often ways to challenge the State’s version of what happened.

Why Jacobo Law Firm Is Different

When you are looking for a vehicular assault criminal defense Chandler firm, you need more than general criminal law knowledge. These cases can involve crash scenes, injury reports, intoxication testing, and complicated fact patterns. We bring a perspective shaped by years inside the prosecutor’s office and years defending people accused of serious crimes.

As a former prosecutor, Manny A. Jacobo understands how law enforcement investigates serious crashes, how charging decisions are made, and what prosecutors look for when deciding whether to negotiate or take a case to trial. We use that insight to examine the evidence, anticipate arguments, and identify weaknesses that the State may not expect to be challenged.

Our practice is focused on defending individuals who are accused of crimes, not on a mix of unrelated legal matters. That focus allows us to stay current on Arizona criminal law and local court practices. Clients work directly with their attorney, receive consistent status updates, and can reach us around the clock when urgent questions arise. Our goal is to provide clear advice, realistic guidance, and steady support from the first call through the resolution of the case.

What To Do After An Arrest

The hours and days after an arrest for a serious crash-related offense are often the most stressful. You may be taken to jail, appear before a judge for release conditions, or receive notice to appear in court. What you do during this period can affect how your vehicular assault defense develops later.

You are not required to answer questions from police or investigators about the crash, and it is usually safer to decline until you have legal counsel. Speaking about details of the incident with friends, family, or on social media can also create statements that prosecutors may try to use against you. Preserving any photos, messages, or other information from the day of the crash can be very important.

Some immediate steps can help protect your rights:

• Stay calm and be respectful, and clearly state that you wish to remain silent and speak with an attorney.
• Comply with court dates and conditions of release that are set in Chandler Municipal Court or Maricopa County Superior Court, and keep copies of all paperwork you receive.
• Write down what you remember about the crash, including road conditions, traffic signals, and witnesses, while the details are still fresh.
• Contact a vehicular assault lawyer Chandler residents can speak with directly, so you can get advice tailored to your situation.

When you contact us, we work to review your paperwork, explain the next hearings, and begin gathering information as soon as possible. We aim to guide you step by step so you are not left guessing what will happen next.

How We Defend Vehicular Assault

Each serious crash case is different, and we tailor our approach to the specific facts and to your priorities. A key part of our work involves carefully reviewing police reports, body camera recordings, crash diagrams, medical summaries, and any chemical test results. We look for inconsistencies, missing information, and assumptions that may not be supported by the evidence.

Many vehicular assault allegations turn on issues like alleged impairment, speed, distraction, or aggressive driving. We may examine how tests were performed, whether field observations were interpreted fairly, and whether conditions such as weather, road design, or actions by other drivers played a role. In some situations, we can consult appropriate resources to help us understand accident dynamics or injury patterns, depending on the needs of the case.

Because our attorney is a former prosecutor, we understand how the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office typically evaluates serious traffic cases and what factors may influence plea discussions. We use that knowledge when we discuss options that could include reduced charges or alternative resolutions, if they are available and consistent with your goals. If a case needs to go to trial, we prepare to challenge the State’s evidence and present your side of the story to the court.

Local Courts & Your Case

Where your case is heard usually depends on the level of the charge and where the crash took place. Serious felony charges related to injury crashes from incidents in this area are typically filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, which sits in Phoenix. That court handles many cases that begin with investigations by agencies such as the Chandler Police Department or the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Some matters that arise from driving incidents in the city may first involve proceedings in Chandler Municipal Court, particularly if they begin as misdemeanors or traffic cases. Procedures, schedules, and expectations can vary between these courts. We regularly appear in courts that handle cases from Chandler, and we work to help clients understand what each hearing means before they walk into the courtroom.

We also explain how scheduling works and what you should expect at typical stages such as initial appearances, preliminary hearings for some felonies, pretrial conferences, and trial settings. Knowing what is coming can reduce anxiety and give you a better opportunity to make informed decisions about your case with our guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What penalties could I face for vehicular assault?

Penalties in a serious crash case depend on the exact charge, the level of injury, and your record. Felony convictions can bring prison time, probation, fines, restitution, and driver’s license consequences. We explain the possible range in your situation and discuss ways we may work to limit exposure.

Should I talk to the police about the crash?

You have the right to remain silent, and exercising that right often protects you. Even truthful statements can be misunderstood or taken out of context. We generally recommend speaking with us before giving detailed statements so we can help you decide what, if anything, to share.

How can a former prosecutor help my vehicular assault case?

A former prosecutor understands how police build cases and how charging decisions are made. That perspective helps us anticipate arguments, identify weaknesses, and advise you about plea options and trial risks. It also informs how we prepare your defense so we can respond effectively to the State’s approach.

How soon can your firm start working on my case?

We begin reviewing information as soon as you contact us and we are retained. Early involvement allows us to look at paperwork, assess deadlines, and advise you before important hearings. Because we are available around the clock, you can reach out as soon as a situation arises.

Will I be able to speak directly with my attorney?

Yes, clients work directly with their attorney at Jacobo Law Firm, PLLC. We prioritize clear, consistent communication, including regular updates and responses to questions. Our client-centered approach means you are not left wondering about the status of your case or what to expect next.

Talk To A Chandler Defense Lawyer

If you are facing accusations related to a serious crash, you may feel like your future is no longer in your control. Speaking with a vehicular assault defense lawyer Chandler residents can trust is a way to regain some clarity and understand your options under Arizona law. At Jacobo Law Firm, PLLC, we bring a former prosecutor’s insight, a focus on criminal defense, and a commitment to personal communication to every case. We take time to listen to your side, review the circumstances, and explain potential paths forward. Your initial consultation is free, and the conversation is confidential.

Reach out before you attend another hearing or speak further with investigators so you can make informed choices about your defense.

Call (480) 470-0823 to speak with our firm about your case today.