Eighteen former NBA players have been charged with conspiracy to commit health insurance fraud and wire fraud. They were indicted in federal court in New York. The defendants include former players from the New Jersey Nets, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics,...
Blog
Inmate: ADOC Violates Release Credits Law
Carlos Hernandez is currently incarcerated in an Arizona (private) prison. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of possession of dangerous drugs and was sentenced to a term of 2.5 years. According to a complaint filed this week in Maricopa County Superior...
COVID-19, Employment and Vaccine Mandates
As the pandemic continues, many employers are requiring their employees to be vaccinated (or submit proof of negative COVID test results) as a condition of continued employment. The reactions to these requirements vary, from those who believe the move will help end...
The Difference between a Misdemeanor and a Felony in Arizona
Although we hear certain terms on a regular basis, we may not really understand what they mean. For example, what is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony? At first blush, most people would assume that misdemeanors are minor offenses, like shoplifting or...
Justice Department Investigating Phoenix PD
In a press release issued last week, the United States Department of Justice announced that it has opened an investigation of both the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department. The announcement was made by Attorney General Merrick Garland and Kristen Clarke,...
ACLU Sues Maricopa County Over Retaliatory Plea Policy
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit against the Maricopa County Attorney challenging the policy of the MCAO regarding its plea bargain policy used in criminal cases pending in the Early Disposition Court (EDC). The lawsuit, entitled Luckey...
What is Credit Card Fraud in Arizona?
When most people hear about “credit card fraud,” they envision some complex scheme involving discovering your card number or other information through hacking. While that certainly does occur, and may constitute credit card fraud, the definition of the offense in...
DUI in Arizona During the Pandemic
The number of arrests for driving under the influence, or DUI, has grown over the last couple of years not only in Phoenix, but throughout Arizona. An example is the number of DUI arrests over Memorial Day weekend this year, compared with last year. While a comparison...
New Arizona Law Legalizes Fentanyl Testing Strips
A new bill signed into law last month by Governor Ducey legalized the use of testing strips to detect the presence of fentanyl in controlled substances. In the wake of skyrocketing drug deaths due to opiate overdoses, the new law will allow the purchase of the strips...
New Law Allows Some Convictions to be Set Aside
Unlike some states, Arizona does not have an expungement law that allows, under certain circumstances, for a prior criminal conviction to be essentially erased from the record. But a new law recently signed by Governor Ducey, and going into effect in August of this...
New Bill Would Reform Arizona’s Civil Asset Forfeiture Law
A new bill, HB 2810, has been passed by the Arizona legislature and is headed to Governor Ducey for signature. If signed, the new law would make sweeping changes to Arizona’s current asset forfeiture law, which is one of the harshest in the country. What Does Civil...
Preliminary Agreement Includes Phoenix Police Reforms
It’s time for the negotiation of a new contract between the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA), the union representing the Phoenix police. According to the city, a tentative agreement has been reached. And that tentative agreement...
New Bill Would Allow Arrest and Conviction Records to be Sealed
Under a new bill, you may qualify to have your criminal record sealed by the court. The bill, HB 2320, just passed by the Arizona House of Representatives and is awaiting action by the Senate. Even when you have been convicted of a relatively minor offense, a...
What is Drug Paraphernalia?
We have all heard of drug paraphernalia, and most people think they understand what the term means. But a look at the statute in Arizona which makes possession of drug paraphernalia a crime, shows that the definition is much broader – and much less clear – than you...
Competency Hearing for Alleged Phoenix Courthouse Shooter
Back in September, a shooting occurred outside the federal courthouse in Phoenix. It is alleged that a 65-year old man opened fire on a security officer outside the building. One of the three shots fired hit the guard in the chest, but he was wearing a bulletproof...