There are two ways that courts in Arizona interpret the law. Statutory law follows the letter of the law, while common law is based on previous rulings. In fact, an understanding of common law frequently helps defense attorneys build a stronger case. The term “common law”...
Each day we’re faced with making hundreds to thousands of decisions: from what color of socks we’ll wear, to the type of toothpaste we’ll use, to what time we’ll leave for work. We may not consciously think about these smaller decisions, but they’re still choices...
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...
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...
As a seasoned drug offense attorney in Phoenix, Todd Coolidge is a vital asset to anyone with a drug charge on their hands. In our last blog post, we covered a brief history of drug use in the US, both prescription and recreational. In this...
Both civil and criminal law were created to deter or punish wrongdoing and to compensate for the victim’s losses. So what exactly is the difference between civil and criminal law? We’ll take the next two blog posts to define each and lay out their similarities...
In a previous post, we covered the difference between a misdemeanor and felony, as well as the different levels and sentences for misdemeanors. In this post, we’d like to discuss felonies in more depth. If you’ve been charged with a felony in Arizona, the first...
It might seem that a criminal should be held accountable, regardless of when the crime was committed. However, in order to preserve the integrity of evidence (including witness testimony), states enact Statutes of Limitations. Todd Coolidge, of Coolidge Law Firm, thoroughly understands how Arizona criminal...
The previous post on our Todd Coolidge Law Firm Blog covered a breaking news story about a sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church. In this post, we’ll discuss laws and statutes regarding sexual abuse in Phoenix, Arizona. We’ll also examine sexual abuse claims in...
When the suspect of a crime is brought into custody by law enforcement and made aware of their right to an attorney, Coolidge Law Firm (serving Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa Arizona) ALWAYS recommends they call an experienced criminal defense attorney. The reason? There may not...