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Jerald Schreck

Jerald Schreck

The Schreck Law Firm
  • Criminal Law, Domestic Violence, DUI & DWI ...
  • Arizona
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Lawyer Rating and Reviews
Legal Knowledge
5.0/5.0
Legal Analysis
5.0/5.0
Communication Skills
5.0/5.0
Ethics and Professionalism
5.0/5.0
Justia Lawyer Rating - 10.02 reviews
About the Justia Lawyer Rating
Marci Hoff Linde
Marci Hoff Linde January 24, 2020
Rating: 10 Lawyer Rating - 10 out of 10
Jerry is dedicated to defending the rights of his clients and maintaining a high level of professionalism.
Client Reviews
Susan S. September 27, 2021
Knowledgeable and listens I would personally recommend Mr. Schreck to anyone that is facing charges. He is very honest and up front. Mr. Schreck worked directly with everyone involved and worked on our behalf while still being completely honest and transparent. I can’t say enough good things about this law firm. He is also highly professional.
B. S. February 13, 2020
Very knowledgeable Attorney who provided excellent legal counsel. I retained Jerry's services to provide legal counsel and services to help with a legal situation I was potentially facing. After listening to all the specifics of my case, Jerry explained his background in similar cases and went into great detail on all of the options that I had available to me. He used detailed examples of similar historical cases to showcase potential outcomes. He knows what he is talking about and it showed in the meticulous details he provided. He has a very business like, but calming way, of explaining what was happening and what my options were. I felt completely relieved upon working with Jerry, knowing I received the best counsel available and that everything would work out just fine. And that was exactly what I was hoping for. I would absolutely recommend Jerry will retain his services if I ever need any legal assistance in the future.
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Biography

Jerald Schreck is an award-winning criminal defense attorney in private practice in Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to entering private practice, he was the supervisor of the Sex Crimes Trial Team at the Maricopa County Public Defender's Office where he practiced for approximately twenty-four years. He has concentrated on the defense of persons charged with sex crimes for over twenty years. During that time he has been involved in the defense of college students, teachers, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, corrections officers, attorneys, parents, juveniles, group home workers, coaches, religious leaders, athletes, day care workers and corporate executives on a wide variety of sex crimes allegations and cases ranging from child molestation to sexual exploitation of a minor to child sex trafficking. Based on his experience defending sex crimes charges, Jerald has been recruited to teach sex crimes law and practice trainings to lawyers and law students throughout the state of Arizona. His trainings have been presented to many different legal organizations in Arizona, including Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, the Arizona Public Defender's Association, the Mojave County Bar Association, the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department, the Maricopa County Public Defender's Office, and ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law. The sex crimes trainings Jerald has conducted include Sex Crimes 101, the Sex Crimes Defense Conference, Schreck on Rape Shield, Sex Crimes and Punishments, Registration or Regret for Juvenile Sex Crimes Practitioners, the Good, the Bad, the Ugly: What's New in Sex Crimes Law and Legislation, Let's Talk About Sex Crimes, You Do The Math - Calculating the Sentence in a Sex Crimes Case, Chicken Soup For the Sex Crimes Litigator's Soul, and Latest Developments in Defending Sex Crimes. Given his experience, Jerald is the sex crimes litigator you need if you are facing sex crimes allegations in Arizona.

Practice Areas
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
DUI & DWI
Juvenile Law
White Collar Crime
Additional Practice Areas
  • Sex Crimes Defense
  • Juvenile Sex Crimes Defense
  • Sex Offender Probation Modification Requests
  • Sex Offender Registratin Advice & Representation
  • Defending Against False Allegations of Child Sex Trafficking
  • Defending Against False Allegations of Child Prostitution
  • Campus Sexual Assault Defense
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    Mr. Schreck charges a consultation fee for sex crimes cases given the unique complexity of such cases.
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    I charge a flat fee or an hourly rate depending on the complexity of your case. You will know exactly what your cost will be when you hire the Schreck Law Firm.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Arizona
State Bar of Arizona
ID Number: 016006
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United States District Court District of Arizona
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Languages
  • English
Professional Experience
Owner-operator
The Schreck Law Firm
Current
Education
Southwestern Law School
J.D. (1994) | Law
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University of California - Los Angeles
B.A. (1992) | Political Science
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Awards
The Sixteenth Annual Joseph P. Shaw Award
M.C.P.D.
In recognition and appreciation of extraordinary dedication and efforts on behalf of his clients.
Outstanding Performance Award
A.P.D.A.
In recognition and appreciation of his commitment to excellence and the provision of high quality legal representation.
Professional Associations
American Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
Allied Professional Member
- Current
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Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice
Member
- Current
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Natonal Association of Criminal Defense Laweyers
Member
- Current
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Arizona State Bar
Member
- Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
The Arizona Sex Crimes Sentencing & Registration Chart
The Schreck Law Firm
Speaking Engagements
Miranda Land - An interactive presentation about Miranda Rights Law and Voluntariness Law, Gideon Day Celebration, Florence Arizona
Pinal County Public Defenders' Office
Taught an update version of Mirada Land to the Pinal County Public Defenders' Office as part of their Gideon Day Celebration. Miranda Land is an interactive board game that helps presentation participants learn about Miranda Rights and Voluntariness Law while competing in a fun game.
Giveing Your Client A Road Map To Sucess On Sex Offender Probation, 16th Annual APDA Statewide Conference, Tempe, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This course was a panel discussion with Mr. Schreck and a former sex crimes probation officer about how to prepare your clients for sex offender probation.
Mirandaland - An interactive presentation about Miranda Rights Law and Volunariness Law, 16th Annual APDA Statewide Conference, Tempe, Arizona
APDA
This interactive presentation utilized a gameboard and game cards akin to Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit to teach the attendees about Miranda Rights Law and Voluntariness Law.
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly - What's New in Sex Crimes Law & Legislation, 16th Annual APDA Statewide Conference, Tempe, Arizona
APDA
" #MeToo Effects Your Sex Case Too" was the theme of this presentation that explored how the "Me Too" movement has impacted sex crimes judicial decisions and legislation since October 15, 2017 when Alyssa Milano tweeted about sexual harassment and sexual assault awareness giving a deserved voice to survivors of sexual abuse. The presentation explored everything from the how the evolution of propensity evidence in the Coby trials to sentencing in the Larry Nassar case to the future of jury selection in sex cases in new the post #MeToo world, and how we as defense attorneys will need to adjust to a new normal in defending against sex crimes allegations.
Introduction to Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes Defesne Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This course was an introduction to Arizona sex crimes defense practice with a special emphasis on sex crimes being a specialized area of practice that lawyers need to understand in order to ethically represent a client facing sex crimes and punishments.
You Do The Math - Calculating the Setence in a Sex Crimes Case, Sex Crimes Defesne Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This course was an interactive presentation, utilizing hypotheticals, on how to calculate a sentence in an Arizona sex crimes case.
Giveing Your Client A Road Map To Sucess On Sex Offender Probation, Sex Crimes Defesne Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This course was a panel discussion, where Jerald Schreck, as the moderator questioned participants about how they prepare their clients for success on sex offender probation in Arizona.
Sex Crimes Punishments, Sex Crimes Defesne Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This course was an in depth look at the statutes and caselaw pertaining to sex crimes punishments in Arizona.
The Good, The Bad, The Ulgy - What's New in Sex Crimes Law and Legislation, 15th Annual APDA Statewide Conerence, Tempe, Arizona
Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice
This is an annual presentation updating changes and development in sex crimes law and legislation during the past year.
Fresh Starts & No Endings, 15th Annual APDA Statewide Conference, Tempe, Arizona
Arizona Public Defender Association
This class focused on the dichotomy of advice concerning registration that defense attorneys should give their clients who are adjudicated delinquent for sex offenses.
Introduction to Defending Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes Defense Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County of the Public Defender
This course was an introduction to sex crimes defense litigation in Arizona.
Understanding & Protecting Your Client Facing Sex Crimes and Punishments, Sex Crimes Defense Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County of the Public Defender
This course focused on the unique challenges to developing and maintaining an attorney-client relationship with a client facing sex crimes and punishments, and the unique challenges to protecting this genre of clients from jail violence.
Sex Crimes Punishments, Sex Crimes Defense Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
The Office of the Maricopa County Public Defender
This course was a comprehensive overview of the punishments associated with sex crimes in Arizona.
You Do The Math - Calculating A Sentence in a Sex Crimes Case, Sex Crimes Defense Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
The Office of the Maricopa County Public Defender
This course was a comprehensive overview of the punishments associated with sex crimes in Arizona.
Realities of Sex Offender Probation, Sex Crimes Defense Conference, Phoenix, Arizona
The Office of the Maricopa County Public Defender
This class explained the nuances of sex offender probation so the participants will be able to prepare their clients for rigors of sex offender probation in Arizona.
Latest Developments in Defending Sex Crimes, AACJ Fall Seminar, Prescott, Arizona
Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice
My portion of the this presentation focused on developments pertaining to the representation of persons dealing with pre-file sex charges in Arizona.
Sex Crimes Punishments, Sex Crimes College, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
A comprehensive class on sex crimes sentencing laws in the state of Arizona.
Understanding & Protecting Your Clients in Sex Crimes Cases, Sex Crimes Defense College, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
The focus of this class was how build a professional attorney-client relationship with a client in the situation where an attorney is representing a client facing sex crimes and punishments.
Introduction to Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes Defense College, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This class was a brief introduction to the unique aspects of Arizona Sex Crimes Litigation.
Calculating the Sentence in a Sex Crimes Case - You Do The Math, Sex Crimes College, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This class was an interactive class where the instructors led the attendees through a series of hypotheticals to teach them how to calculate a sentence in a sex crimes case in Arizona.
Preparing for Sentencing in a Sex Crimes Case, Sex Crimes College, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This class gave the participants tips on how to prepare for a sentencing in a sex crimes case in Arizona.
The Good, The Bad, The Ulgy - What's New in Sex Crimes Law and Legislation, 14th Annual APDA Statewide Conerence, Tempe, Arizona
Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice
This is an annual presentation updating changes and development in sex crimes law and legislation during the past year.
Sex Crimes Punishments, Sex Crimes College, Phoenix, Arizona
The Office of the Maricopa County Public Defender
This course involved a detailed explanation of the punishments associated with violations of Arizona sex crimes statutes.
Mirandaland - An Interactive Presentation About Miranda Rights Law and Voluntarienss Law, 13th Annual Statewide APDA Conference, Tempe, Arizona
APDA
This interactive presentation utilized a gameboard and game cards akin to Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit to teach the attendees about Miranda Rights Law and Voluntariness Law.
Setting Your Client Up For Sucess on Lifetime Probation- The Ins and Outs of Sex Offender Treatment, 13th Annual APDA Stateswide Conference, Tempe, Arizona
Arizona Publid Defender Association
This was a panel discussion with criminal justice stakeholders (lawyers, a sex offender therapist, and a sex offender probation officer) that work with persons on lifetime sex offender probation.
How Police Use of TASERS Can Impact Standards of Valid Miranda Waiver, 13th Annual Statewide APDA Conference, Tempe, Arizona
APDA
This panel discussion explored challenging the validity of Miranda Rights waivers in situations where law enforcement officers have deployed a TASER on the arrested person.
Sex Crimes Punishments, 12th Annual Statewide APDA Conference, Tempe, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This class involved an in-depth two hours and thirty minute presentation into the punishments mandated for persons convicted of sex offenses in the state of Arizona.
Calculating the Sentence in a Sex Crimes Case, Sex Crimes College, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This class, utilizing a workbook with hypothetical sex crimes scenarios, taught the attendees how to calculate a sentence in an Arizona sex crimes case.
Sex Crimes & Punishments - An Overview, Sex Crimes College, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This course give a detailed explanation of every sex crimes offense a defendant can be charged with in Arizona and the punishments that accompanying convictions for those charged offenses.
The Elments of Arizona Sex Crimes, Sex Crimes College, Phoenix, Arizona
The Office of the Maricopa County Public Defender
This course involved a detailed explanation of the elements of all Arizona sex crimes statutory offenses. In addition, it involve a detailed review of the statues and case law pertaining to sex crimes defenses in Arizona.
Sucessful Outcomes: "Guideing your client through sentencing and beyond.", MCBA Lunch CLE Series, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Bar Assocition
This was a panel discussion consisting of lawyers and probation officers who gave advice on how to prepare clients for a successful outcome at the sentencing phase and post sentencing phase of a criminal case.
Sex Crimes 101, 10th Annual Statewide APDA Conference, Tempe, Arizona
APDA
Sex Crimes 101 is an introductory course for lawyers representing clients charged with sex crimes in the state of Arizona.
Sex Crimes 101 - Perspectives From the Defense, Mohave County Bar Association CLE Saturday, Kingman, Arizona
Mohave County Bar Association
This was the first half of a two part CLE on the basics of sex crimes litigation and practice. Mr. Schreck taught the first half - perspectives from the defense, and a prosecutor taught the second half - perspectives from the state.
Sex Crimes For RCC Lawyes, Maricopa County Public Defender's Office Brown Bagger, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Public Defender's Office
This is an introductory course for lawyers representing clients in the RCC setting whose clients are on probation for a sex crime or charged with a sex crime.
Working With Sex Offenders & Their Lawyers, Maricopa County Adult Probation SOCOM Training, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Adult Probation Department
This was a presentation to probation officers who supervise a sex offender caseload about how to develop positive working relationships with sex offenders on probation, and lawyers representing sex offenders in probation violation court and on other legal issues related to probation.
Sex Crimes For RCC Lawyes, Maricopa County Public Defender's Office Brown Bagger, Phoenix, Arizona
Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender
This is an introductory course for lawyers representing clients in the RCC setting whose clients are on probation for a sex crime or charged with a sex crime.
Sex Crimes 101, 7th Annual Statewide APDA Conference, Tempe, Arizona
APDA
Sex Crimes 101 is an introductory course for lawyers representing clients charged with sex crimes in the state of Arizona.
Sex Crimes 101, Sixth Annual Statewide Conference, Tempe, Arizona
Arizona Public Defender Association
This class was in introduction to sex crimes litigation for lawyers handling their first sex crimes cases in the state of Arizona
Sex Crimes 101 - The Nuts & Bolts of a Sexual Offense Case, 4th Annual Statewide APDA Conference, Tempe, Arizona
Arizona Public Defender Association
This one and a half hour presentation covered the basics of what attorneys need to know when handling their first sex crimes case.
Schreck on Rape Shield, Second Annual APDA Conference, Tempe, Arizona
Arizona Public Defender Association
This class was an in-depth review of the Rape Shield Statute in Arizona. It included a review of all reported Rape Shield cases in Arizona, and practice pointers on how to proceed if Rape Shield is an issue in your case.
Certifications
Certificate of Completion of Adult Assessment Track
National Associtation for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
Certificate of Completion of the Intervention, Treatment, Managment of Youth who Engage in Sexually Abusive Behavior Track
National Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
Completion of the Defender Impact Leadership Conference
National Legal Aide & Defender Association
Diploma in Advocacy Skills
National Institute for Trial Advocacy
Completion of the Trial Practice Institute
National Criminal Defense College
Certificate of Completion of DWI Detection and Standarized Field Sobriety Training Program
National Highway Safety Administration Approved Program
Websites & Blogs
Website
Legal Answers
2 Questions Answered
Q. I was on an adult only website and came across a minor. What do I do?
A: This is a fairly common situation people run into in the internet age. Sometimes it is an actual minor on an adult web site, other times is a fraudster attempting to extort money from site visitors and frequently it is a police officer posing as a minor working on an undercover task force. As a protective measure, my general suggestion is that you cease visiting all dating websites and chat rooms. I know this sounds extreme, but I am a criminal defense lawyer in Arizona and have had countless clients, many of them very good people, who have lost their liberty, property and careers after becoming entangled in a situation like yours.

In Arizona, we often see people that come across minors on adult websites charged with a crime. Charges are filed whether the person is a precocious minor lying about their age to gain access to the website, or a police officer posing as a minor. Usually, my clients that come across minors on websites are charged with luring a minor for sexual exploitation, in violation of A.R.S. § 13-3554. This is a serious crime with serious penalties, including registration as a sex offender for life and a mandatory prison sentence, with a range of 2 to 8.75 years. This sentence may seem harsh, but it is the least extreme sentence for a luring offense, and only applies if the minor is fifteen to seventeen years old. If the minor or police officer posing as a minor is under fifteen years of age, then my clients are charged with a dangerous crime against children (DCAC) and the prison range pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-705(G) is a minimum sentence of 5 years, a presumptive sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of 15 years, and the sentence is a flat time sentence. Typically, my clients are charged with DCAC because the undercover officers posing as minors begin their online conversation posing as adults, and after they get the person to take the bait, they invariably weave into the conservation that they are under the age of fifteen.

My specific advice to you involves a set of magical phrases if you are ever contacted by government agents about your online interaction: 1) I am invoking my Fifth Amendment Right to Remain Silent and 2) I am invoking my Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel. Additionally, I advise you to deny any request by law enforcement to search your property. If officers have a warrant, then you will be unable to stop them from searching and seizing items specified in their warrant, and you should get out of their way. However, complying with the warrant does mean you are obligated to give them any information like phone or computer passwords because a warrant does not mean you give up your Fifth Amendment Right to Remain Silent.

A final suggestion is that you contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Lawyers practicing in your jurisdiction in the field of sex crimes defense may not be able to stop you from being charged with a crime, but often the cases I obtain my best result on are those where I was contacted by my client before the police came knocking at their door.
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Q. Does sexual abuse include a male making a minor strip naked?
A: The elements of the crime of Sexual Abuse in Arizona (A.R.S 13-1404), regarding minors, depends on the age of the particular minor. If the minor is fifteen or more years of age, then sexual abuse is committed when the accused, without consent engages in sexual contact with the minor. Sexual contact is defined as "any direct or indirect touching, fondling, or manipulating of any part of the genitals, anus or female breast by any part of the body or by any object or by causing a person to engage in such conduct." However, if the minor is under fifteen years of age, the illegal behavior is limited to sexual contact with the female breast, consent is not an element, and sexual contact with the genitals or anus is classified under the more serious offense of child molestation.

So, regarding the question posed of does sexual abuse include making a minor strip naked, that question cannot be answered without more details involving the offending behavior. If the minors' genitals, anus, or breast is touched directly or indirectly, or the minor is instructed to touch their own private parts or breast, then the offender during the minors' act of stripping naked, would be committing the crime of sexual abuse. If the there is no sexual contact involved in making a minor strip naked, that still does not mean the behavior is legal. I can think of a variety of crimes a male making a minor strip naked could be committing. One example would be if the male photographed the undressing of the minor, then he could be charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (13-3553), or, Just the simple act of a male ordering a minor to strip in front of him could be charged as Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (A.R.S. 13-3612).

The bottom line is that an experienced criminal defense lawyer would need to know more to answer your question. For example, was the male making the minor strip as part of his caretaker responsibilities? If so, then any lawyer experienced in sex crimes defense, like we are at the Schreck Law Firm, could explore the viability of a caretaker defense to a charge of sexual abuse.

If you were the male engaged in the hypothetical activity, it would be advisable to seek legal counsel immediately, and if you were the minor subjected to the hypothetically illegal activity as described in the question, then you should immediately discuss your victimization with your parents, your school counselor, and your local law enforcement office.
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Contact & Map
The Schreck Law Firm
45 West Jefferson Street
14th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Telephone: (602) 370-3262
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours (Today)
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Notice: The Schreck Law Firm is open 24/7. At the Schreck Law Firm "We Don't Ask 4 Justice, We Make It" and justice never sleeps.