As we roll into 2024, so does Arizona’s rise in hate crimes. And when these types of crimes are publicized, they bring up debates and questions about what this charge means. What qualifies as a hate crime? When does the First Amendment apply? In this...
In the United States, the federal government has a blanket set of laws that apply to everyone, including visitors of the country. While federal laws are in effect for the entire country, each state has the power to create its own set of penal codes....
A penal code is a collection of all the laws that define criminal offenses and their punishments. Each state has a penal code, and Arizona is no exception. Penal codes are used to maintain order. They help protect people from the harmful behavior of others by...
One of the lesser-known charges associated with stolen cars is dismantling them for parts. While taking a car apart is not illegal in itself, you can face extensive consequences if that car was stolen. Not only will chopping a car make you an accessory to...
Whether you’re a longtime resident or simply visiting the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix offers a lot of recreational gambling options. However, Arizona is still fairly strict when it comes to gambling laws. And as a criminal defense law firm in Arizona, we recommend partaking...
The Old Wives’ Tale—that hot weather makes people irritable and more likely to commit a crime—may just have some validity. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice gathered nationwide research and published a report in which they tracked seasonal criminal victimization trends for various violent...
In 2019, the Arizona state website reported over 10,000 crashes that were the result of distracted driving. The new Arizona hands free law is intended to help lower the amount of accidents from distracted driving. It also serves to remind drivers to protect themselves and...
Subjects like these are never fun to discuss, but understanding how the law approaches and defines acts like homicide is essential when interacting with our court systems. Todd Coolidge, a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, has handled scores of challenging cases throughout Maricopa County and the...
A normal day can take a sour turn when you see flashing lights in your rearview mirror and suddenly realize you forgot your wallet at home. What happens if you get pulled over without a license? Will you be penalized for an honest mistake? Penalties for...
Property crimes are just what they sound like—crimes against someone else’s property. In fact, property crimes are the most common crimes in Arizona. This category includes acts like theft, robbery, burglary, vandalism, trespassing, and more. And depending on the circumstances, property crimes can be charged...