criminal appeals
There are numerous campaigns to warn people about the dangers of drinking and driving. Even so, the 2018 holiday season in Arizona saw an increase in DUI arrests compared to the same period in 2017. Even if individuals only have one alcoholic drink, they can still become impaired to the point where police can arrest them. Police can arrest…
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Living without driving privileges is possible, but it’s not always easy. Sure, you can use public transportation, bike, or call a ridesharing service, but often those options can be limiting. If you’re feeling frustrated about not having your license, it may be time to think about how you can get your driving privileges back. Depending…
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Drug charges of any kind can have a severe impact on a convicted person’s rights, future, and freedom. When consequences to these charges can last years, it pays to build a serious defense against the charges. Many states across the country are legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. While it seems as if a new…
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Roger Stone’s federal trial and the judge’s consideration of a “gag order” brings up the interesting conflict between the right to free speech and the guarantee of a fair trial. Failure to protect trial rights in and out of the courtroom is one of the grounds for criminal appeals. What is a “Gag Order” in Court? A gag…
Read MoreRecognized 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 were installed as standard equipment…
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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 to a judge Reduce a charge…
Read MoreSometimes a defendant will opt for a plea bargain instead of going before a judge for a trial. In a plea bargain, the alleged offender pleads guilty and thus receives a lesser sentence than he or she would have received if convicted at trial. There are several issues with this process, and often a defendant…
Read MoreBeing convicted of a crime is a serious legal matter. It can mean that a Mesa resident will be separated from their family in order to serve a sentence of incarceration or that they may be required to meet other conditions of their sentencing. While some individuals choose to serve their sentences and carry out…
Read MoreWhen a prosecutor in Arizona files criminal charges against a person in the courts of the state, the matter, if it goes to trial, will be heard in the superior court of the jurisdiction where the prosecutor filed the charges. If the matter ends and the non-prevailing party believes that a mistake was made at…
Read MoreThe U.S. Constitution’s “double jeopardy clause” prohibits the prosecution of a defendant twice for the same crime. But, state and federal governments often prosecute a person for the same underlying crime under their own laws. In a case that may greatly impact criminal appeals and prosecutions, the U.S. Supreme Court heard argument earlier this month on whether a person…
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