In United States criminal law, all crimes can be broken down into different elements. In order to convict the defendant, these elements of a crime must then be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt. Most crimes require that three essential elements...
It usually shocks people involved in Phoenix road rage incidents when they get arrested and face criminal charges. “Is road rage illegal?” they’ll ask. In Arizona, there is no specific charge for road rage. However, a driver’s actions during a road rage incident—such as reckless...
A charge of drug possession felony in Arizona can be a very serious offense. The penalties can escalate quickly, depending on the type of drug in your possession, the quantity, and whether or not this was your first offense. And, those found guilty of possession...
Sexual assault is an extremely serious charge in the state of Arizona. A person found guilty of sexual assault faces not only a felony conviction on their record, but also placement on the sex offender registry. These penalties can impact a person's life forever, affecting...
Every crime in Arizona has a penalty, and usually, the penalties are very specific. For example, the penalty for first degree murder is either life in prison or capital punishment. However, there are some crimes where the penalty may change, increase, or decrease, depending on...
A person who recklessly or intentionally damages another person's property may face charges of criminal damage in Arizona. In some cases, property damage can carry serious penalties, including fines and jail time. What is criminal damage? Let’s take a look at an example. Late one night,...
Although dogs may be man’s best friend, they are still animals, and will sometimes act in an unexpected way. For example, a non-aggressive dog can suddenly growl and snap at a person if they feel stressed or threatened. And, if a dog bites and injures...
Murder is the most serious offense you can commit in Arizona. Because homicide charges are such grievous offenses, they carry the highest penalties. If found guilty of an Arizona homicide, you may even face the death penalty under certain circumstances. In the state of Arizona, there...
There is no doubt that being threatened with physical harm is extremely scary. Sadly, these types of violent crimes do occur each year, including in Arizona. What many people do not realize is that Arizona law allows victims of violent crimes to defend themselves in...
Felonies are the most severe type of crimes, and they carry the toughest penalties. While most people understand that a felony crime conviction includes jail time and fines, they may not realize they can lose certain rights if they plead guilty to a felony. One...