MZJ Fights for you
We represent defendants facing criminal charges in appellate, state, & federal courts. We will represent you in trials, plea bargains, revocation hearings, appeals & post-conviction remedies.
Comprehensive
Our experience has extended to everything from the prosecution and defense of homicides to traffic tickets, white collar, and many other crimes.
Credentialed
Paul Ziel and Alan Johnston are members of CJA (Criminal Justice Act), meant to handle only the most serious criminal cases in Federal Courts.
Experienced
Our attorneys have handled criminal cases through extensive appeals processes, going as high as the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Our Idaho Falls Criminal Attorneys Specialize In The Following Areas
DUI
Felony
Misdemeanor
Juvenile
White-Collar
White-Collar Defense
White-collar crime is generally characterized as crimes committed in a business or a government setting—embezzlement, fraud, misuse of computers, etc.
These are typically felonies and, as such, can result in fines and prison.
We’ve handled these kinds of cases in the federal courts and defended clients from agencies such as the SEC, CFTC, and more.
DUI Defense
- DUIs are charged for operating a motor vehicle while having a blood content (BAC) of .08 or higher, or operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, a combination of alcohol and drugs, or any other intoxicating substance.
- If under the influence while operating a commercial vehicle, a person can be charged if his or her BAC is .04 or higher.
- If a person is under 21 years of age, he or she can be charged with DUI if his or her BAC is .02 or higher.
- BAC of .20 or higher can result in an excessive DUI.
- If a person has three DUI driving charges within the past ten years, or two excessive DUI charges, he or she can be charged with a felony.
- If a person causes a crash due to driving while under the influence, he or she may be charged with a felony depending on the circumstances.
- If a person refuses to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test when a law enforcement officer suspects him or her of driving under the influence, his or her driver’s license may be suspended for up to one year.
- If a person agrees to submit to BAC testing and his or her level is over the legal limit, his or her license will be suspended for 90 days.
First Offense DUI
A person who has been charged with DUI for the first time or charged for the first time in more than 10 years after having been convicted. The general penalties and consequences include the following:
Maximum of six months in jail,
maximum of $1,000.00 fine, driver’s license suspension of up to six months,
SR-22 high-risk insurance,
up to two years of probation, which often includes taking drug and / or alcohol evaluations and following the recommendations of those evaluations, and community service.
Second Offense DUI
A person who has been charged with DUI for the second time within a 10-year period. The general penalties and consequences include the following: Maximum of 12 months in jail with a minimum of 10 days, and 48 hours of the 10 days must be consecutive; maximum of $2,000.00 fine
Mandatory driver’s license suspension of one yeas; SR-22 high-risk insurance; maximum of two years of probation, which often includes taking drug and / or alcohol evaluations and following the recommendations of those evaluations.
Excessive DUI
Maximum of 12 months in jail with a minimum of 10 days, and 48 hours of the 10 days must be consecutive; maximum of $2,000.00 fine; mandatory driver’s license suspension of one year; SR-22 high-risk insurance; maximum of two years of probation, often includes drug/alcohol evaluations and following the recommendations of those evaluations.
Felony DUI
Maximum of 10 years in prison; minimum of 30 days in jail with the first 48 hours being consecutive
$5,000.00 fine; mandatory one-year driver’s license suspension with no exceptions for things such as work privileges; mandatory SR-22 high-risk insurance; and probation of up to 10 years, which often includes drug court.
We Will Help You Every Step Of The Way
What To Expect With MZJ
Felony
Years as a Deputy Prosecutor Handling a Wide Variety of Felonies. Over 2 Years Clerking for Judges, Handling Several Criminal Matters.
Members of CJA (Criminal Justice Act), Who Are Assigned Significant Federal Criminal Cases to Handle.
Experience Defending Felonies Ranging From Burglary, to Drug Possession, and Much More.
misdemeanor
We counsel with you regarding your options and the risks and rewards of each course of action.
We carefully review all of the prosecuting attorney’s materials, including police reports, video and audio recordings, and physical evidence.
Upon completing a full review, we analyze your case for possible constitutional violations and aggressively fight to get evidence excluded if your constitutional rights were violated.
In cases where it is appropriate to have trial, we work tirelessly to ensure that we give you the best possible chance of acquittal
In cases where it is appropriate to make plea agreements, we work hard to mitigate your consequences.
Juvenile defense
Juvenile defense is a unique area of law in Idaho, and a child charged with a juvenile offense should be represented by someone who is well-versed in Idaho’s juvenile system. Mr. Ziel has prosecuted juvenile cases for over three years.
Ask Us Anything. anytime.
We offer consultations—let’s get in touch!
