Tempe Police Fight New Type of Gang War

Convictions result in life altering criminal and collateral consequences for offenders.

The search resumes for missing 19 year old ASU student who disappeared during what he previously described to his family as “hell week” for initiation into a fraternity. He was last seen at Tempe Marketplace 11:00 pm on November 30, 2012, after attending an event held by a fraternity for which he was pledging.

Tempe police have tenaciously conducted ground and lake searches; used K-9 units; surveillance video; interviews with friends, class mates and followed many leads, in desperate attempts to find the missing college student.

But this is not the first report of crimes, possibly involving fraternities that have plagued the City of Tempe AZ this semester. Tempe police report that crime has increased in the city, since Fraternity Houses known as “Frat Row”, were eliminated and moved off of A.S.U. Campus.

Police crime statistics for Tempe reflect an overwhelming number of #911 calls and incident reports at fraternity houses and apartments complexes, now occupied by the fraternities in the city.

Many of the arrests have been for common offenses such as underage drinking; property damage and disorderly conduct. However, a number of the arrests were for hostilities between different Fraternities members resulting in misdemeanor and felony assaults, and violent attacks. The latter are serious charges that are egregiously prosecuted. Assaults, property damage and violent crimes are considered crimes against victims, and carry severe consequences.

Criminal Liability and Collateral Consequences of Felony Convictions

If a person is found guilty in a court of law, or pleads guilty to serious crimes, there will usually be long term consequences.

Convictions for many of these crimes will result in criminal liability, and will expose a person to jail, fines, fees, restitution, counseling, probation, community service, and more. Felony Convictions in Arizona call for prison sentencing. Violent crimes will result in long term prison sentences, and a felony criminal record that will have life altering adverse impacts.

Many first-time DUI or criminal offenses are the result of errors in judgment, and offenders of the law do not realize what type of penalties they will suffer if convicted. Further, they may not be aware of the fact that the convictions will result in other consequences, such as civil state penalties, especially felonies. These are sometimes referred to as “collateral consequences”, which can be just as devastating as criminal penalties. A Felony Conviction with criminal record may include civil or collateral consequences such as loss of:

• Current Job;
• Future job opportunities;
• Suspension or termination from school;
• Ability to obtain loans or credit;
• Scholarships, or other state or federal grants;
• Driving privileges;
• Right to vote; possess or carry a firearms;;
• USA Citizenship;
• Prohibition from entering some other countries outside the US