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Joshua W. Bugeja

Joshua W. Bugeja

Bugeja Law Firm AND Arkansas Public Defender Commission Conflicts Division (part-time)
  • Criminal Law, DUI & DWI, Domestic Violence ...
  • Arkansas
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Biography

A native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Joshua W. Bugeja has a passion for providing quality legal services at affordable prices. Mr. Bugeja is willing to travel across Northwest Arkansas for little to no additional charge.

Practice Areas
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
DUI & DWI
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights , Victims Rights
Divorce
Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
Personal Injury
Animal & Dog Bites, Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Truck Accidents
White Collar Crime
Traffic Tickets
Suspended License
Additional Practice Areas
  • Auto Accident
  • Civil Litigation
  • General Practice Issues
Video Conferencing
  • Zoom
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    30 minute free initial consultation with appointment.
  • Contingent Fees
    Auto-Accidents are always "no win, no fee"; A small number of other cases may be contingent upon outcome as well.
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    To get started on your matter, I accept cash, check, and money order. Depending on the work involved, I am usually able to provide my services at a reasonable up front retainer and affordable monthly payment plan. I offer a 10% military discount on attorney's fees for all hourly/flat fee cases.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Arkansas
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8th Circuit
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U.S. Supreme Court
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United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
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United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Owner/Attorney (primary position)
Bugeja Law Firm
- Current
I represent private clients in a variety of civil and criminal matters. This is my primary position, despite also working for the Public Defender Commission part-time.
Conflicts Attorney (part-time)
Arkansas Public Defender Commission
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As a part-time Public Defender, I represent criminal clients who are unable to afford legal representation on their own. Since this is a part-time position, I still operate my private law practice and am available for hire in a variety of practice areas.
Associate Attorney
Meadors Law Firm
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Due to the Meadors Law Firm closing at the end of June 2012, I went back to operating my own law firm.
Education
University of Tulsa College of Law
J.D. | Law
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Activities: Student Bar Association Member, Board of Advocates Member, Interstate Law Society Member
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University of Central Arkansas
B.A. | Writing Major, Philosophy Minor
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Activities: U.C.A. Judicial Board Member, Model U.N.
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Southside High School
High School Diploma (2002)
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Awards
Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Arkansas
American Society of Legal Advocates
Less than 1.5% of lawyers nationwide are selected each year. More about the selection process can be found here: https://www.societyoflegaladvocates.org/selection-process/
Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Arkansas
American Society of Legal Advocates
Less than 1.5% of lawyers nationwide are selected each year. More about the selection process can be found here: https://www.societyoflegaladvocates.org/selection-process/
Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Arkansas
American Society of Legal Advocates
Less than 1.5% of lawyers nationwide are selected each year. More about the selection process can be found here: https://www.societyoflegaladvocates.org/selection-process/
Professional Associations
Sebastian County Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Arkansas Bar Association
Member
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Arkansas Board of Realtors
Realtor
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Publications
Articles & Publications
New Admittee Survival Guide
Arkansas Bar Association - Young Lawyers Division
Tech Tip: Dual Monitors
Arkansas Bar Association Young Lawyers Section In-Brief Vol. 17 #1
Speaking Engagements
Food Tax Forum - Proposed 1% Prepared Food Tax, Fort Smith, Arkansas
League of Women Voters
Being LGBT in Arkansas: Legal Concerns and Complications, River Valley Pride: Presenters and Poets, Fort Smith, Arkansas
River Valley Equality Center
Websites & Blogs
Website
Bugeja Law Firm Official Website
Website
Facebook Page - Bugeja Law Firm
Website
AVVO Professional Lawyer Directory Website - Joshua W. Bugeja Profile
Legal Answers
7 Questions Answered
Q. If I have a warrant from county (a) & have an upcoming court date for county (b) can (b) hold me for(a)2come get me
A: As a general rule of thumb, yes, the court for one county can serve the warrant for the other and arrest you (to allow the transfer). It does make a difference if the warrant was from another state though since many states, including Arkansas, often don't arrest individuals appearing in their courts for out of state warrants unless those warrants are for felonies. With out of state warrants, there is an extradition process as well, though instead of going off into a potentially unrelated tangent, I won't address that issue (your question seems to imply both of the warrants are for the same state).
Q. Had about 5 or 6 grams of cannabis & an open liquor bottle. Are either of those proper possessions of crime?
A: Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-71-218 specifically addresses the criminal offense of "possession of an open container containing alcohol in a motor vehicle." Since your question doesn't provide enough factual details to compare the situation to the statute, it is difficult to state whether or not that is a "proper" charge or not and you should look at the requirements of that statute (known as "elements" of the crime).

A.C.A. § 5-64-215 classifies marijuana as a "Schedule VI Substance." A.C.A. § 5-64-419 specifically addresses unlawful possession of marijuana and, under that statute, the weight in question utilizes ounces, as opposed to grams like your question (make sure not to confuse those by the way as that will make a huge difference in the analysis) to determine misdemeanor vs felony status of that offense. You didn't mention a medical marijuana prescription so I won't delve into that area as it may needlessly complicate this discussion. In any event, it is possible that is also a "proper" charge per the facts presented.

It is entirely possible that a probable cause to search/consent argument may be worth exploring for suppression considerations but, like many criminal defense questions, this analysis is so dependent upon specific facts for the incident and subsequent arrest that I recommend you speak with an attorney who can analyze the case in more detail.
... Read More
Q. Can primary custodian keep child away from other parent when they are grounded?
A: Generally speaking, visitation and child punishment are entirely separate issues (though they may seem related). One public policy consideration is that, as a society, we don't want parents effectively penalized due to a child's bad behavior and we don't want child punishment "weaponized" to hurt the other parent by withholding visitation. A similar issue often arises when cell phones/communication devices are taken away from a minor child as a punishment, thereby interfering with the other parent's ability to get in touch with the child while the child is out of their care. The best approach is to typically to try and work those issues out among parents (additional/make-up visitation time is always encouraged by the courts, especially to avoid unnecessary litigation). ... Read More
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Contact & Map
Bugeja Law Firm
1615 N. A St.
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Telephone: (479) 459-1173
Fax: (479) 668-2888
Monday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed (Today)
Sunday: Closed
Notice: Closed for lunch (noon to 1 p.m.) and also available other days/times at no extra cost (with scheduled appointment).
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