The word misdemeanor, if taken down to it’s roots of “mis” and “demeanor”, essentially translates to “wrong conduct or behavior”. So even by just looking at the origin of the word it is evident that while a misdemeanor isn’t tolerated behavior, it is clearly not...
In this post, Coolidge Law Firm (serving the greater Phoenix-Metro area), would like to define larceny under Arizona Law. First, larceny is simply the legal term for theft. Second, as with many crimes, larceny can be charged either as a misdemeanor or a felony under...
We’ve all heard the Miranda Rights read aloud on a criminal-drama TV series by a police officer upon the arrest of a suspect. Hopefully, you haven’t had these words read aloud in person! It goes as such: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything...
In our previous two posts, we talked about how the landmark Miranda v. Arizona ruling extended the right to remain silent to all potential suspects upon arrest and interrogation outside the courtroom. Originally, however, this right was only applied through the 5th Amendment to a...
Lying under oath, or committing perjury, is a pretty straightforward concept in criminal law. It is, to knowingly make false statements while under oath on the witness stand, and it’s considered a Class 4 Felony in Phoenix under ARS 13-2702, punishable by a maximum prison...
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...
The summer is in full swing and that means travel plans are often made for sightseeing or vacationing. But if you have a DUI conviction on your criminal record, you may need to consider it when making your travel plans. At Coolidge Law Firm (serving...
Todd Coolidge, the lead criminal defense attorney at Coolidge Law Firm, has represented many homicide cases in Arizona. His experience in the courtroom and his vast knowledge of the subtleties of law mean his clients trust him to handle their case. In our previous blog...
It may sound odd in the 21st century, but yes, committing adultery is still illegal under Arizona law. And for good reason. Not only is adultery emotionally damaging and harmful to our society, but the majority of Americans still think it should be considered a...
Overall, crime rates have declined in the United States during the Coronavirus shutdown. As social distancing has become the norm and the economy has been halted, there are fewer opportunities to commit a crime. However, domestic abuse and public nuisance charges have increased in Arizona. What...