Courtesy of Charles Carreon (who makes guest appearance this episode), I had an enlightening interview with Charity Clark, Esq. regarding her defense and successful settlement (plea bargain) of Arizona v. DeArmon. According to a news story published on AZ Central, “Investigators believe Dearmon had packages of mescaline shipped from Peru to his home. A search of his home yielded 8.9 pounds of mescaline, 427 peyote cacti, 83 marijuana plants, 29 pounds of dry peyote, 59 pounds of processed marijuana, five pounds of psilocybin mushrooms and seven LSD tabs, the Sheriff’s Office said, adding that there were “many other substances found” that detectives are working to identify.” Were that the end of the story, Mr. DeArmon would have been facing incarceration measured well past the natural end of his life. However, Mr. DeArmon was acting with sincere religious intent and in his capacity as a religious leader of a congregation, DeArmon having moved to Camp Verde in 2020 to minister for a Native American Church and to operate a hemp business.
The implication of religious exemption to this case is inestimable and clearly critical. As Charity discusses, word of this case made its way to Charles and ultimately to Charity. Had it not, and had the case stayed with a public defender, there was a real chance the defense of religious exemption would have gone unrecognized or underexplored. Fortunately, we will never know. Charity was able to have a productive dialogue with the prosecutors at the County Attorney’s Office and was able to arrive at a plea deal that accounted for the religious exemption. As for the rest, you’ll just have to listen to Charity tell the story.
You can watch this episode HERE.
Here is a whole lot more about Charity from Charity’s Website:
Charity Clark is a top-tier attorney renowned for her commitment to her client’s success. She strives to provide the highest quality representation, treating each case with respect and compassion. With extensive experience in criminal matters, Charity has an eye for complex issues that can make or break a case.
This expertise has been featured in high-profile cases like the national news trial of Elizabeth Johnson, AKA the “Baby Gabriel” case, and it enables Charity to obtain not guilty verdicts where other attorneys deemed it impossible. In addition, she has successfully won cases involving child prostitution, burglary, resisting arrest, aggravated assault, and many other serious offenses.
Charity stands out for her ability to look beyond the surface and think outside the box. She starts with the basics, picking each charge apart and finding the issues below the surface, then strategizing the best way to utilize them for each particular case. Charity will do more than just the basic legal work.
From defending her clients in courtrooms across the state to advocating for justice within our legal system, Charity Clark is a force to be reckoned with in the legal world. With her commitment to excellence and drive for results, she has established a reputation as one of the most effective and reliable attorneys in the business.
No matter how complex or challenging your legal case may seem, you can trust Charity Clark to provide you with the highest quality counsel available. Whether in the courtroom or through negotiations, Charity will be your strongest ally and help you achieve the best outcome possible for your case.
With her expertise in criminal defense and dedication to client success, Charity Clark has established a place among Arizona’s most successful attorneys. Charity is a native of Arizona. Born on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, where her parents worked, her family moved to Chandler, Arizona, where she grew up. She began her undergraduate degree at Northern Arizona University and then transferred to and graduated from Arizona State University in 2006, earning a degree in communications with an emphasis on speech and debate, which has served her well as a litigator. After several years working in the legal field, Charity returned to school to earn her law degree. She graduated from Phoenix School of Law in 2012 and began to practice law in Arizona and the federal district of Arizona.
In addition to her criminal defense work, Charity also serves on a legislative committee, Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, focusing on criminal justice reform. She is the mother of two daughters and spends her free time with her family and friends enjoying camping, hiking, game nights, and travel.