When public employers conduct workplace investigations—especially those involving law enforcement or public safety personnel—the process becomes complex when potential criminal conduct overlaps with administrative misconduct. In these instances, investigators must protect both the agency’s right to accountability and the employee’s constitutional rights. The tool used to maintain this balance is the Lybarger admonition.What Is A Lybarger, Anyway?The Lybarger admonition originates from the California Supreme Court’s decision in Lybarger v. City of Los Angeles (1985) 40 Cal.3d 822. The case established that while a public employee may be compelled to answer questions in an administrative investigation, any statements…
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In the over fifty years I have been practicing law, on a few occasions I have succumbed to the temptation to take a case in a field with which I was not familiar. I regret those decisions. I made mistakes due to my lack of familiarity. Thankfully my clients did not suffer any harm from my errors. I hope the lawyers among you learn from my mistakes.

Hey, Lawyers, Resist The Urge To Dabble 2

Over the last 45 years, I have spent most of my time working in the area of medical malpractice litigation. I started out defending doctors…
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Arizona State Police Investigating Deadly Semi-Truck Accident by the Phoenix-Tolleson Border

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (March 29, 2026) – A woman has tragically died in a semi-truck accident near the Phoenix-Tolleson border by 75th Avenue and Sherman Drive.
Maricopa County officials are saying that the accident took place shortly before 4:00 AM on Saturday morning. A woman was traveling down the road in a white SUV when she was involved in a collision with a semi-truck.
The force of the impact caused major front-end damage to the SUV. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the…
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Mesa Police Department Investigating Deadly Truck Accident That Killed Motorcyclist in the Area of Greenfield Road and Desert Lane

MESA, ARIZONA (March 29, 2026) – A motorcyclist tragically died in a Mesa truck accident near the area of Greenfield Road and Desert Lane, not far from Baseline Road.
Mesa police officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday night. A motorcycle was traveling down the road when they were involved in a collision with a truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the injured victim. He was taken to the…
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In Arizona, fraud can be a civil cause of action, a crime, or both. The Arizona law that makes it illegal to use a fraudulent scheme is Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Section 13-2310.

A conviction for criminal fraud in Arizona is a Class 2 felony.

If you have been charged with engaging in a criminal fraudulent scheme in Arizona, the criminal defense lawyers at AZ Defenders can represent you. Call us at (480) 456-6400 at any time, or reach us online to speak with an experienced defense attorney and schedule a free initial case evaluation.

How Does ARS …
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Identity theft is a criminal offense under Arizona Revised Statute 13-2008. It occurs when one person knowingly takes or uses the identity of another person or business for any unauthorized use, or to cause loss to another person, or to obtain or continue employment.

A conviction for identity theft in Arizona is a Class 4 felony that can carry a prison sentence, a six-figure fine, and the loss of certain civil rights. If you have been charged with this serious offense, call AZ Defenders at (480) 456-6400 to speak with an experienced identity theft lawyer. You can also reach us …
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Arizona does not have a specific law that prohibits public drunkenness. Instead, being intoxicated in public often falls under the coverage of other state statutes, such as disorderly conduct charges under Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 13-2904, or local municipal laws/ordinances. 

Unlike DUI charges, which involve being in actual physical control of a vehicle while impaired, public intoxication in Arizona is not a standalone criminal offense—but the criminal behavior it can lead to carries real legal consequences.

ARS 36‑2031 prohibits counties and municipalities from passing or enforcing local laws that punish a person for being publicly intoxicated.

The Rosenstein Law Group…
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If a law enforcement officer pulls you over for a routine traffic stop in Arizona, you are required under Arizona law to show your license to the officer if the officer makes a lawful order that you do so. 

If you do not comply with this request, you can be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor. This type of charge—sometimes called a failure-to-identify offense—can result in criminal penalties, including fines and jail time.

In some cases, if the officer has reasonable cause that a passenger has committed a violation of Arizona law under Title 28 of the Arizona Revised Statutes…
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Since 2015, Arizona has seen extensive testing and use of advanced technology self-driving motor vehicles, fielded by companies like Uber, Waymo, and Tesla. This experience has not come without human and material cost: Arizona has seen more than 400 accidents and other incidents involving self-driving vehicles since 2019, including injuries and fatalities.

When an accident involves a driverless car, legal issues of accountability include who is responsible for the resulting injuries and property damage. But when no driver is involved in a car crash, who is responsible?

At Stone Rose Law, we represent motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and others who have…
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The self-driving car industry and its products are here to stay in Arizona. This means that your chances are higher of finding yourself involved in a traffic accident with a vehicle in which the human occupant, if there is one, will have played little or no role in operating it.

Cars and trucks that use self-driving technology introduce questions about who is responsible when they get into collisions. In this blog post, we consider issues of legal liability that can come into play if you get into an accident with an autonomous vehicle.

If you have been injured in an…
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Investigation Underway After Pedestrian Died in Collision With Pickup Truck in Sun Lakes

SUN LAKES, ARIZONA (March 26, 2026) – A pedestrian has tragically died in a Sun Lakes car accident by the intersection of Alma School Road and Riggs Road.
Maricopa County officials are saying that the accident took place around 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday. A pedestrian was crossing the roadway and using the crosswalk when they were struck by a Ford F-150 pickup truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the injured victim. Life-saving efforts were attempted. Sadly, he was beyond medical aid…
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Most personal injury lawsuits settle out of court. As a general rule, personal injury settlements in Arizona are not taxable under federal law or Arizona state law. Certain exceptions do exist in which part of your settlement payment may be subject to tax.

Stone Rose Law Arizona personal injury attorneys can help you understand the potential tax implications of your personal injury settlement. To schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team, call our Scottsdale offices at (480) 631-3025 or contact us online.

What Parts of Your Personal Injury Settlement May Be Tax Free?

Common examples…
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You have just wrapped up your last witness interview.  The evidence is gathered.  The documents are organized.  Now it is time to write the report.You open a blank document.  You stare at it far too long.  You tentatively type, then backspace, backspace, backspace.  You sigh and close your laptop.  Maybe tomorrow.If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.  For many workplace investigators, report writing feels like a separate project bolted onto the end of an investigation.  But it does not have to be that way.  In fact, a good writing process and a good investigative process are not separate things—they…
Continue Reading Investigating the Write Way: How a Strategic Writing Process Can Drive an Effective Workplace Investigation

It is March, which means both the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments are in full swing. What makes March Madness so compelling, beyond the upsets and buzzer-beaters, is that it is a masterclass in team dynamics played out on a national stage. Every year, highly recruited rosters full of individual talent get sent home early by teams that simply play better together. That is not a coincidence — it is a lesson that translates directly into your business and your professional life. The lesson starts with trust.

No team, in business or in athletics, reaches its potential without…
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Article Summary

  • Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to injury in an accident than those in a passenger vehicle
  • Motorcycle accidents are on the rise. 
  • A number of factors are involved in determining motorcycle accident compensation, including liability, the cost of medical treatment and lost wages. 
  • An experienced motorcycle accident attorney understands Arizona’s helmet law, understands that insurance companies can be biased against motorcyclists and understands what evidence is needed to prove liability.

There are certain times of the year when Arizona is the perfect place to be for people who love riding motorcycles. With the exception of summer, Arizona’s weather offers…
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Gene John Kaluza, 82, and Joanne Gail Kaluza, 79, Died in Peoria Senior Living Apartment

PEORIA, ARIZONA (March 24, 2026) – A married couple identified as Gene Kaluza and Joanne Kaluza have tragically died in a Peoria apartment fire at Olive Ridge Senior Living.
Peoria officials are saying that the incident took place around 7:30 PM on Monday. Firefighters were called to the Olive Ridge Senior Living apartment community to help all of the victims.
Sadly, Gene Kaluza and Joanne Kaluza were found deceased inside one of the apartment units. Firefighters were eventually able to put out the fire, and police officers…
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