State v. Ms. S (DMC No. 18062) – Misdemeanor Manslaughter (Per ARS 28-672.A.5) – Reduced to Civil Turn Signal ticket (with Zero Days in Jail) – Phoenix City Court (Case No. 5692968)
Ms. S was travelling northbound on 40th Street when she made a left-hand turn on to East Southern Avenue. She had entered the intersection while the light was green and cycling to yellow, and a motorcyclist in the curb lane travelling southbound at 48 miles per hour, slammed on their brakes and slid into Ms. S’s car. Unfortunately, the motorcyclist died. When the Police arrived, they did an investigation, and later cited Ms. S for Misdemeanor Manslaughter.
Ms. S had secured the services of DM Cantor, and we immediately hired an Expert to produce our own Accident Reconstructionist Report. We also gathered up all video in the area, and were able to show that the motorcyclist began quickly accelerating in order to “maker the light” before it turned red. We also put together a Mitigation Package showing Ms. S’s good character, and lack of criminal record.
After all this was complete, we sat down with the City of Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office and presented all of our evidence. Although Ms. S was facing potentially 6 months in Jail, and a criminal conviction, they agreed to Reduce the Charge to a Civil Turn Signal Ticket. Because of our help, Ms. S has no criminal record, and did not spend any time in Jail.