Criminal Defense Blog
Legal marijuana patients face drug charges
A defect in criminal laws and overzealous law enforcement are a combination that can threaten citizen rights. Prosecution and conviction of at least two people with valid medical marijuana cards in Yavapai County show that criminal appeals may be necessary to preserve rights when there are oversights with drafting new laws. According to the…
Read MoreArizona man wins appeal to drop armed robbery conviction
An Arizona resident arrested and charged after getting caught with a plastic bag full of $100 bills pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of armed robbery and two counts of bank robbery. In order for there to be a charge of armed robbery, however, a defendant must have…
Read More2 Things to Know About Appeals After a Plea Bargain
If you face a criminal charge in Arizona, the unknown is probably the scariest thing you are up against. You do not know if the court will find you guilty, and if it does, then you do not know what your sentence may be. You can speculate, but nothing is…
Read MoreWill more convictions lead to more appeals?
If you have been arrested or seen a loved one get arrested, you know just how frightening it can be. Feeling those cold metal handcuffs click into place on our wrists—might give you chills just thinking about it. More Americans are being arrested now than ever before. America’s arrest and conviction rates…
Read MoreHow Does the ‘Trial Penalty’ Affect Your Rights?
An in-depth report finds that the so-called ‘trial penalty’ has altered the United States’ criminal justice system, which is designed to be an adversarial process between government prosecutors and defense attorneys, presided over by a judge, with a jury of peers to decide a person’s guilt or innocence. In its…
Read MoreAppealing a plea deal
Accepting a plea deal may seem like a good idea at the time. Your attorney thought so, and it made sense to you. Later, you have doubts. The deal means that you have a criminal record and a sentence that, in hindsight, seems like it does not fit your crime.…
Read MoreA Lesser Sentence for an Embezzlement Charge Through a Plea Deal
An embezzlement charge requires a strong defense when the amount allegedly-taken from an Arizona employer is more than $25,000. Classified as a felony offense, an employee’s punishment may include up to 12.5 years of incarceration, a $1,000 fine, and restitution. The Investigation Must Uncover Proof of Employee Theft A conviction…
Read MoreUnderstanding tax evasion and its consequences
Many people find legal ways to reduce their tax burden. Even the government encourages taxpayers to take advantage of deductions, credits and tax-deferred retirement accounts. Yet, share of taxes – or paying any whatsoever. If you’re trying to reduce the impact taxes have on your finances, you may have considered…
Read MoreNFL players issued arrest warrants for robbery
Football fans in Arizona might be interested in learning that arrest warrants have been issued for two NFL cornerbacks. Quinton Dunbar of the Seattle Seahawks and DeAndre Baker of the New York Giants are wanted for multiple counts of robbery following an incident that allegedly occurred at a cookout in…
Read MoreSetting aside your conviction might get your life back on track
A felony can make life a lot harder. Even essential tasks like getting a job to support yourself becomes more difficult. Employers are 60% more likely to call back applicants without felonies, even when the charge is a non-violent offense from years before. While Arizona won’t let you claim a clean…
Read MoreSuperior Court appeals provide second chances
The Justice of the Peace handles limited civil and criminal law cases and can provide financial judgments and impose criminal sentences upon defendants who are found guilty. A financial or criminal penalty imposed upon a defendant by a county justice court is one the defendant can appeal and delay payment…
Read MoreDeepfakes create increasing problems in court
Arizona criminal proceedings are growing exponentially more difficult for all parties involved due to increasing difficulties in authenticating evidence. Advancing technology is making it easier for nearly anyone with the right equipment to make a doctored video or recording that could be introduced at trial. Deepfake technology has become much…
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