Elected officials on both a State and County level are in charge of passing new legislation that benefits the people in their communities. In fact, hundreds of laws have already been passed this year by the Arizona Legislature. Some of these laws will be felt...
In Arizona, as with all states, a person is legally obligated to stop if they are in a motor vehicle accident. No matter how much damage was done, if you fail to stop you can be charged with a crime. These accidents can involve other...
When a person is arrested they are read the Miranda Warning. In addition to having the right to an attorney, individuals have the right to remain silent and not incriminate themselves. Before the landmark case of Miranda v. Arizona, this right against self-incrimination was only...
If you’ve ever been pulled over, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. But if you know you were speeding, driving recklessly or while under the influence, then you have a good reason to suspect that the police officer is stopping you for a real traffic...
At Coolidge Law, we understand that pleading guilty might not be your first choice, but sometimes it’s your only choice. Even if you are innocent, the evidence may be stacked against you, or you might have prior convictions, which could sway a jury of your...
What is Forensic Science? When thinking about forensics, most of us imagine scientists gathering DNA evidence from a crime scene. However, there are several disciplines in the forensic field. The AAFS (American Academy of Forensic Sciences) includes eleven different types of forensics in its organization. These...
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...
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...
The act of killing another person is a very serious crime with very serious consequences. First degree murder is the highest level of homicide, and it will be punished harshly. If you find yourself facing a charge of first degree murder in Arizona, you will...
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...