Attorney Profile

STEPHEN PAUL BARNARD, J.D. A graduate of the University of Arizona Law School. He limits his practice to the defense of vehicular crimes with emphases on DUI.

In his 25 years of practice he has tried over 800 Jury Trials involving Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs (as a defense attorney). These include: DUI, Aggravated DUI, Aggravated Assault by vehicle, Endangerment by vehicle, Manslaughter and Second degree murder by vehicle.

One charged with a DUI related offense soon finds that the case is treated by the Prosecution as a very serious matter. There is normally, NO significant plea-bargaining, nor reduction of charges or sentence. It is Mr. Barnard's firm belief that the only proven way to obtain the most favorable result possible for his client is to exhibit the unquestioned ability and dedication to take the case to trial and win. That is what we do.

A successful defense requires the service of a skilled trial lawyer, associates, and staff who have immediate access to daily updated research materials and trial techniques. This office thoroughly investigates the allegations made against the accused. All significant witnesses to any aspect of the case are interviewed and their testimony preserved. All written material, which has a bearing on the case, is obtained and reviewed. Photographs, diagrams, charts and other illustrations are prepared. Motions directed at the exclusion of prejudicial or wrongfully obtained evidence are filed in each case. We employ investigators, accident reconstructionists, forensic experts and jury selection experts as necessary.

Mr. Barnard's expertise does not end at the trial level. He and his capable staff have been responsible for more than twenty precedent setting cases before the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Arizona. The right to change judges in lower courts; the right to counsel during a DUI investigation; and the right to obtain independent evidence were established or enhanced through the efforts of this office.

Mr. Barnard is a member of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, America Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association; The National College for DUI Defense and is on the board of governors for Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice where he heads the DUI committee. He is an A rated lawyer by Martindale Hubble.

He has participated on the faculty of seminars, as a featured speaker, for the State Bar of Arizona, Pima County Bar Association, Maricopa County Bar Association, Maricopa Public Defenders Office, Arizona State University, and the 2^nd and 3^rd DUI Judicial Conferences. He is the Co-founder and Monitor of the AACJ Aggressive Defense of the Accused Impaired Driver seminar, an annual teaching seminar for lawyers where Nationally renowned DUI lawyers and experts gather to share their expertise.

A former prosecutor, Barnard is also a member of National District Attorney's Association (It pays to know the enemy).

He is admitted to practice in all courts in the state of Arizona, the Federal District Courts the Ninth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.

If you or someone you know has been charged with an alcohol or drug related offense, particularly if it involves a vehicle, please feel free to make an appointment to discuss your options. The initial consultation is free.