BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF RICHARD D. COFFINGER

RICHARD D. COFFINGER, 50 years criminal defense attorney, Arizona native.

EDUCATION: Phoenix Central High School (1965); Phoenix College (1967); ASU (BS-Economics-with distinction) (1969); ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (1972).

EMPLOYMENT: Solo criminal defense attorney in Glendale, AZ.

LAW-RELATED ASSOCIATIONS: State Bar of Arizona active member since 1972, Young Lawyers Section, President (1979); elected member Board of Governors (2005-17); Arizona Board of Legal Specialization, Certified Criminal Law Specialist since 1987; Maricopa County Bar member since 1972, Young Lawyers Section, President (1978); Arizona Attorney’s for Criminal Justice, Charter Member; West Maricopa County Bar Association, Founding Member and Past President (1995); The Best Lawyers in America (2001 Consumer Guide); LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers (2010-present) ; Southwest Super Lawyers (2007-9); Glendale Rotary Club, President (1993) (perfect attendance 44 years); Glendale Downtown Development Corporation, President (1989-1999).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: State v. Sherrill , 1998, client found not guilty by jury of assaulting 15 yr. daughter by spanking with belt, national cable T.V. coverage by former  “Court TV” with Nancy Grace;  State . Demir,  defendant who shot his roommate in chest,  was found not guilty of aggrevated assault at 2^nd trial after hung-jury  in 1^st trial, Appeals include: State v. Nelson, 208 Ariz. 5, 90 P.3d 206 (App. Div 1, 2004) (Indian tribal police traffic stop off reservation); In re Timothy M., 197 Ariz. 394, 4 P.3d 449 (App.Div. 1, 2000) rev. den. (Juvenile court pleas may be withdrawn prior to court’s acceptance); State v. Seyrafi case, 201 Ariz. 147, 32 P.3d 430, 2001 (Mandatory presumption in city ordinance unconstitutional); State v. Olquin case 216 Ariz. 250, 115 P.3d 228 (App. Div. 1 2007) (Agg DUI with child under age 15 in car); State v. Organ case, 225 Ariz. 43, 234 P.3d 611 (App. Div. 1 2010) (Did the police violatd defendant’s 4^th Amendmend right by making a traffic stop of the vehicle he was driving, in spite of the fact that he had not committed any traffic violation, soly in order for the officer to perform a “community care-taker”  “welfare check” on the driver becausethe officer had previously seen the vehicle   stopped on to the side of the road with it emergency  lights flashing)..