CLOSING THE LOOPHOLE: ARIZONA ADDS PROMPT PAY PROTECTIONS TO REVITALIZATION DISTRICTS Arizona contractors operating in public and quasi-public sectors sometimes rely on Prompt Pay statutes to help maintain cash flow. However, a statutory loophole created risk for civil and infrastructure contractors when working for Revitalization Districts—special taxing entities utilized by municipalities to help finance roads, […]
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Sometimes, a criminal conviction results from a mistake at the trial court level. If this happens, a criminal appeal is a process you can use to seek to correct that error. Examples of the remedies you can seek through a criminal appeal include an acquittal of the charge against you, a new trial, or a new sentencing hearing.

In this article, we cover the basics of how to appeal a criminal conviction for a felony offense in an Arizona Superior Court. Specifically, we will address:

  • The difference between a criminal appeal and post-conviction relief
  • The time frame in which you

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Think of yourself as the patient. Your chief complaints include the same routine, the same vacations, the same everything. Your symptoms include days that are the same, vacations that are technically different locations but functionally the same trip, year after year, a vague sense that “someday” you’ll do something different, maybe right after this next busy season, and difficulty remembering the last time you thought about anything other than work, errands, and the next thing on the calendar.

This condition is common. It’s also quietly expensive. Not in dollars but in perspective. This sort of routine blindness doesn’t hurt physically,…
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The once powerful ‘hidden paycheck’ now in limbo as emerging trends threaten security of health insurance and retirement plans.
With small employers considering the elimination of health insurance and health plans battling it out with hospitals “…now is the time to cash the hidden paycheck…”
Media Contact: Barbara M. Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; [email protected]; 248.260.8466
Royal Oak, Mich.— May 28, 2026— At one time, employers referred to employee benefits, which include health and welfare benefits as well as retirement benefits, as the ‘hidden paycheck.’ While that expression isn’t used much today, the reality is that what was once valued as…
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In Arizona in 2026, seat belts are required for all drivers and passengers in the front seat and all children under the age of 16 in any seat. Failing to buckle up is a $10 base fine per violation, up to $50 for child seat violations. Arizona’s seat belt law is a primary offense for minors under 16 and a secondary offense for adults.
Charged with a seat belt violation? Contact our traffic violation attorneys in Scottsdale today for a free case review.
Are Seat Belts Mandatory in Arizona?
Arizona does not have a universal seat belt law requiring…
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Under Arizona’s Rules of Criminal Procedure, you generally have a limited timeframe to file an appeal after being convicted after trial of a criminal offense. For a direct appeal, this is usually only 20 days (for felony cases, 14 for misdemeanor cases) after the trial court enters the judgment and sentence.

But what happens if you miss this deadline? What happens if you discover, years later after your conviction, that evidence exists that could lead to the conviction being vacated, being able to have a new trial, or having your sentence reduced? How long do you have to appeal a…
Continue Reading Can You Appeal a Conviction Years Later in Arizona?

Laparoscope is the name given to a tool that enables doctors to perform surgery inside the body through only a small opening. This causes much less trauma to the patient and offers the promise of quicker healing.

The Laparoscope: A Wonderful Device 2

As you can see from the illustration, after the small incision is made, the abdomen is filled with a gas to inflate it and make it easier for the surgeon to see. A TV camera is inserted into the opening as are tools that the surgeon can manipulate from outside.

Since the invention of the laparoscope, it…
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Habeas corpus is a judicial remedy through which, in some cases, you can challenge your confinement by the government. 

To file a writ of habeas corpus, you submit a written petition to the appropriate court — usually a state court first, and then a federal district court once your state remedies are exhausted — that lays out the legal grounds your confinement is unlawful and asks the judge for relief. 

You may already be familiar with the term. Still, many people are unclear about exactly what it means to seek habeas corpus relief, when it may apply, how to petition…
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Many people use the terms identity theft and impersonation as if they mean the same thing, but under Arizona law, they are actually different crimes. Understanding how each charge works is important if you’re a defendant facing charges. 
Identity Theft
Identity theft in Arizona means knowingly obtaining and using another individual’s personal identifying information without permission. The crime has to involve the intent to defraud, cause a loss, or obtain something unlawfully. A common example would be using someone else’s SSN to open a credit card, get a loan, or claim medical benefits to which you aren’t entitled. 
Criminal Impersonation…
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Being charged with a crime can be overwhelming, and one of the first questions people ask is, “How long is this going to take?” While every case is unique, there are general timelines that can help you understand what to expect.
The length of a criminal case in Arizona depends on several factors, including the type of charge, the amount of evidence involved, court scheduling, and whether the case resolves through a plea agreement or proceeds to trial.
Here’s what you need to know.

How Long Do Misdemeanor Cases Take?
Most misdemeanor cases in Arizona are resolved within two to…
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Article Summary

  • A dog attack can leave families dealing with injuries, emotional trauma, insurance calls, and major uncertainty about what comes next. In that moment, finding a trustworthy Arizona dog bite lawyer can make the situation feel far more manageable.
  • Many families start by looking for a dog bite attorney in Phoenix after an attack because early legal help can clarify Arizona law, preserve evidence, handle insurance communications, and create space for recovery.
  • If you are asking, can a lawyer help after a dog attack, the answer is often yes. The right attorney can reduce stress, protect your position, and

…
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A left‑turn collision is one of the most common types of intersection accidents in Arizona. Although the left‑turning driver is often presumed at fault, insurance companies frequently try to shift responsibility onto the driver going straight, hoping to reduce their payout. This blog explains how these cases really work under Arizona law, why insurers take this approach, and how Thomas Law PLLC helps clients protect their rights after a crash.

Below is a detailed, practical guide for anyone involved in a left‑turn collision in Scottsdale, Phoenix, or the surrounding areas. We draw on our experience as personal injury attorneys and…
Continue Reading Left‑Turn Collision Claims: How Insurers Shift Blame and What Arizona Drivers Should Know

The biggest mistake that we see is people not willing to address the case expeditiously. People, after they have been arrested, can be traumatized, scared, and very nervous about the whole interaction with law enforcement. They may not want to address it until it becomes too late. They wait a long period, and then that can make an attorney’s job more difficult. It is best, if you can, to contact a lawyer immediately, so we can begin the process of advising our clients on what needs to be done as soon as possible. When it comes to MVD cases, there…
Continue Reading What Are Common Mistakes People Make After An Arrest in Arizona?

If someone in Arizona believes they are being harassed, they can ask the court to issue what’s known as an injunction against harassment, or IAH. This is a court order that prohibits the accused from contacting the individual who filed it. It can also bar them from going near certain locations, such as the person’s home and workplace. 
An IAH can be issued against anyone, regardless of whether the two people involved have a personal relationship. This is what separates it from an Order of Protection, which requires that kind of connection between the parties. If you’ve been served…
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Workplace investigations present unique challenges even under ideal circumstances. But when a complainant chooses to remain anonymous, or a known complainant simply declines to participate, those challenges multiply. Without the benefit of the complainant’s account, investigators must work harder to prepare an investigative plan, define the scope of the investigation, gather evidence, build a credible witness list, and produce a report that can withstand scrutiny. The following tips are designed to help investigators navigate these situations with rigor and professionalism.
1. Use the Anonymous Reporting Hotline as a Two-Way ChannelMany anonymous complaints come through an organization’s reporting hotline. Complainants…
Continue Reading Conducting Workplace Investigations Without a Participating Complainant: Practical Tips for Investigators