In a previous blog post we discussed the Arizona minimum mandatory sentencing guidelines for felonies, which act as a baseline when judges are determining how to punish a convicted criminal. From there, the judge will look at evidence and facts presented that would either mitigate...
One of the most common questions we receive at Coolidge Law is, “What happens if you refuse to take a blood alcohol test?” This question has different answers. It also raises other questions like, “Can you refuse a breathalyzer and request a blood test?” and...
As a criminal defense law firm in Phoenix, we spend a lot of time in courthouses around the Pheonix-Metro area. Every day we witness guilty people being convicted, whether it be a simple traffic offense or a more serious crime like sexual assault. At times,...
In Arizona, the law states that the police need to have a reason to search your vehicle. They can’t pull you over and arbitrarily search your car. Probable cause is required. Probable cause means that the officer has a reasonable suspicion of a crime being...
What does failure to comply mean exactly? Failure to comply can be a bit confusing, and this is because it can mean a few different things. In some instances, failure to comply can mean not resolving an issued citation like a parking ticket. In Arizona,...
There are some situations where you might find yourself curious about Arizona arson laws. Maybe you’re planning a giant bonfire. Or maybe you accidentally flicked a lit cigarette and caught property on fire. Perhaps a fireworks display got out of hand and your neighbor’s shed...
Covid-19 has changed life as we know it. While there isn’t a state-wide mask mandate, many Arizona counties, including Maricopa, require the use of a mask in public. This could leave you wondering about Arizona’s law that calls for harsher penalties when wearing a mask...
We’ve taken a look at filing an appeal in Arizona and now we’re going to dive in a little deeper. When you have good representation from the get-go, an appeal is often not needed. However, there are times when an appeal is necessary. We will...
If you’ve ever been pulled over and had your car searched, or been arrested for a crime, you may be left wondering if probable cause was established. You might even want to know exactly what probable cause is, to begin with. What is Probable Cause? Probable cause...
You have probably heard these two crimes mentioned together: “assault and battery.” However, they are separate crimes. Assault and battery often occur together, which causes confusion—so what is the difference between assault and battery? What is Assault? In Arizona, assault charges are usually categorized as misdemeanors. They...