Kristopher Califano

Mr. Califano has defended thousands of Arizonans charged or investigated for crimes. He has been a state-bar licensed Arizona attorney for more than 10 years and has substantial jury trial experience on felony and misdemeanor cases. Mr. Califano has defended cases ranging from first-degree murder to civil speeding cases. He has received numerous recognitions and awards.

Kris is often asked and conducts seminars for other attorneys about DUI laws and trial strategies. He is results oriented, tenacious and pragmatic. His success can be attributed to his knowledge of the law, a strong motion practice, jury appeal, work ethic, and firm negotiation skills. He recognizes that there are two sides to any story, that a person IS innocent until proven guilty. committed to strenuously arguing the law and facts for his clients. The results are; He has obtained multiple felony and misdemeanor pre and post dismissals, lenient plea offers, and not guilty jury trial verdicts.

Mr. Califano graduated from the prestigious Pepperdine University School of Law. He obtained his bachelor's degree at the University of Arizona, majoring in journalism. He has published articles critiquing and monitoring the criminal justice system.

Kris was born and raised in Arizona. He is continually committed to the Arizona community and ensuring that law enforcement officials do not violate the rights and freedoms of people living or visiting his home state. Kris has always been a criminal defense attorney and proud to have never taken freedom from another person. He continues to offer his services as a contract public defender in the Phoenix Municipal Court and Maricopa County Courts.

Kris always offers a Free Initial Consultation of at least one hour. He prides himself on keeping fees as low as possible and still offering the best representation possible.

*Mr. Califano does not endorse criminal activity or impaired driving.

Pepperdine University School of Law

J.D. (2007) | Law

2004 - 2007

Honors: Juris Doctor Commencement Breakfast Speaker Certificate in Dispute Resolution

Activities: International Moot Court- London, England

University of Arizona

B.A. (2003) | Journalism / Communication

1999 - 2003

Honors: Scholarship for writing

Activities: Newspaper

Attorney

Maricopa County Public Defender

2014 - Current

Attorney

LAW OFFICE OF KRISTOPHER CALIFANO, PLLC

2010 - Current

Attorney

City of Phoenix Public Defender

2007 - Current

Arizona DUI and MVD DUI

AVVO

January 1, 2016

MCSC - Investiture Speaker, Judge Investiture, Phoenix, AZ

MARICOPA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

MCSC - Investiture Speaker, Judge Investiture, Phoenix, AZ

MARICOPA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

APDA Cross Examination of the Phlebotomist, APDA, Tempe AZ

Arizona Public Defender's Association

APDA - Representing the Innocent, APDA Summer Conference, Tempe

APDA - DUI Remand Motions, APDA Summer Conference, Tempe

Top 40 under 40

PHOENIX BUSINESS JOURAL

Top Valley Lawyer

North Valley Magazine

Peer Review Rated

Martindale Hubbell

Preeminant 4.8-5

Martindale Hubbell

Super Lawyers

Rising Star

Current

AVVO

Superb Lawyer 10/10

Current

Martindale-Hubbel

Highest Possible Ranking in Competency and Ethics

Current

ASLA

Top 40 Under 40

Current

Public Counsel

City of Phoenix Public Defender

Current

Arizona

Since 2007

Arizona

• Free Consultation
  Most circumstances involve free consultations of at least one hour.
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Flexible fee structures including Flat Fee, monthly payments after initial retainer and hourly rates with Trust Retainer.

Q. What is the difference between a DUI and a wet and reckless?

August 16, 2018

A: Generally speaking, the legal community in Arizona refers to a "wet reckless" as a "confirming reckless driving plea offer." A "conforming reckless driving plea offer" ("conforming reckless," herein) carries many of the same penalties as a DUI, however there is usually no interlock requirement. TI agree with what the other lawyers have posted on this issue. However, it's important to understand that because a "conforming reckless" carries many of the same penalties, many lawyers, including myself, try to negotiate a full-blown dismissal or traditional reckless driving resolution. Each case is different. The probability of obtaining a dismissal, reckless driving, or conforming reckless driving ("wet reckless"), depend on many factors. The most important factor is whether the State's case has weaknesses in it that make the prosecutor concerned that the prosecutor may lose the case in front of a jury. Having said that, other factors are usually also very important: the policies of the prosecutorial agency involved, the defendant's background, the judge, etc. Some prosecutors will never care about the defendant's background, while others will. Having an experienced DUI lawyer is important because that lawyer can more effectively find weaknesses in the prosecutor's case (if they exist) and can more persuasively present your background and the legal issues to the prosecutor, jury, or judge. Thus, whether your goal is negotiation or litigation, having an experienced DUI lawyer is necessary. ... Read More