Legal Question in Criminal Law in Arizona

Without doubt your girlfriend will be impacted negatively if she "ends up paying the fines" which means she has plead guilty. As a teacher simply being charged may and likely will result in her losing her fingerprint clearance card. I of course know nothing about her case but can say to her that in no way should she plead guilty without having a qualified, experienced, aggressive lawyer representing her. She and her attorney should do everything reasonably possible to avoid a conviction and the related collateral consequences. She needs to be very very careful given her job status. Good luck.

I concure with Mr. Orent and recommend spending the money to hire an attorney who will help you fight or reduce the charges. If you just pay the fines, you are pleading guilty, which more likely than not will have lasting negative consequences on her career and future professional growth.