Criminal Defense Blog
Lawful exceptions to the Fourth Amendment
The Fourth Amendment protects the citizen of Arizona from unreasonable search and seizure. However, there are circumstances that the law may deem reasonable, depending on the location and details of the search. At the Nolan Law Firm, we often fight to ensure the protection of our clients’ rights from illegal…
Read MoreDo renters have rights against illegal search and seizure?
You probably know that you have a right against illegal searches in Arizona. This comes from the U.S. Constitution. It protects you against the government or a government agent searching your person or personal property and seizing items that it could then use against you in court. While this law…
Read MoreWhat do illegal search and seizure entail?
According to a study the Connell Law School, 2 out of 3 individuals have lost their fourth amendment rights to DHS. Agents do not need a probable cause or a warranty, for that matter, to search and hold your property. The law dictates how much authority law enforcers have to search and seize…
Read MoreDemands from police are sometimes not lawful
An important decision recently reminded Arizonans that police cannot drag out a traffic stop for a long time without a good legal reason to keep people from moving on. It was also a reminder that police sometimes give orders that will not stand up legally under closer study, and that…
Read MoreVehicle black box is a serious witness
Recognized as presenting information in airplane accidents, an event data recorder or black box is now standard equipment in American vehicles. Suspects may begin to claim that seizure of black box data is an illegal search and seizure because police are now equipped to gather and use this evidence. Beginning in 2018, black boxes…
Read MoreA Quick Overview of Plea Deals
What is a plea deal? A plea deal, also known as a plea bargain, is an agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant. The agreement is for a defendant to plead “no contest” or guilty to charges in exchange for one of the following actions from a prosecutor: Recommend a specific sentencing guideline…
Read MoreHit-and-run kills motorcyclist in Mesa
On Jan. 22, a motorcyclist struck a vehicle that turned abruptly in front of him. The man collided with the car and later died from his injuries. The driver of the vehicle struck did not stop and fled the scene. The Arizona Department of Public Safety worked the scene at 3200 E.…
Read MoreBill may lessen sex offender registry law
All people convicted of a sexual offense in Arizona must register with the state’s sex offender registry. A bill was recently introduced that may grant eligibility for more people convicted of sex crimes to have their names removed from the registry. But, some criminal justice reform advocates claim that it may present obstacles for…
Read MoreSupreme Court to review traffic stops
Motorists have a right of privacy while they are in their vehicles. But, stopping motorists often leads to the filing of criminal charges, such as drunk driving, drug charges or theft. Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an illegal search and seizure case involving a traffic stop…
Read MoreUnderstanding juvenile driver’s license suspension
Most Mesa teenagers can barely wait for their sixteenth birthday so that the driver’s license process can start. Earning that license is a rite of passage that means greater freedom – but also much greater responsibility. Unfortunately, motor vehicle crashes are still the leading cause of death and disability for…
Read MoreHow to Avoid a Holiday Party DUI
Across the nation, drunk driving fatalities show a marked increase in December. According to the Department of Transportation, the U.S. experiences about 300 alcohol-related fatalities during the week from Christmas to New Year’s Day alone. If you plan to celebrate the holiday season with egg nog, wine, spirits, or beer, follow these…
Read MoreArizona has the strictest penalties for DUIs in the country
The ramifications of drinking and driving go far beyond paying a few fines and fees. With a higher number of charges and greater severity of convictions come some real dire consequences. Driving under the influence (DUI) in Mesa can lead to some heavy fines, but those aren’t the only costs…
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