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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Arizona has enacted House Bill 2749, a new law that gives some people with first-time felony convictions a path to have their convictions treated as class 1 misdemeanors. The bill was signed by Governor Katie Hobbs on June 4, 2026, after passing through the Arizona Legislature.  

HB 2749 does not apply to every felony conviction. It creates a narrow second-chance option for certain people convicted of lower-level, non-dangerous felonies who complete their sentence, meet court requirements, and avoid later disqualifying convictions.

What Does HB 2749 Do?

HB 2749 adds a new section to Arizona law, A.R.S. § 13-604.01. Under the…
Continue Reading HB 2749 Becomes Law, Gives a Second Chance to First-Time Felons

In Arizona, using or possessing a fake ID is most often charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor under A.R.S. § 4-241, carrying a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail, a $2,500 fine plus surcharges, and a possible driver’s license suspension. 

When a fraudulent driver’s license is involved, prosecutors can add a Class 2 misdemeanor under A.R.S. § 28-3478. Conduct that goes beyond underage drinking, like manufacturing, altering, or using a fake ID to defraud, can be prosecuted as a felony under A.R.S. § 13-2002 (forgery) or § 13-2006 (criminal impersonation).

Depending on the circumstances, using, manufacturing, selling, distributing, or…
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Arizona law makes it illegal for any person under the legal drinking age of 21 to consume alcohol in any quantity. The relevant statute is Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Section 4-244(41). A criminal conviction under this minor in consumption (MIC) law is a Class 2 misdemeanor under ARS 4-246(A), which can lead to up to 4 months in jail, up to 2 years of probation, and a fine and surcharges.

AZ Defenders represents Arizona residents charged with alcohol-related offenses, including underage drinking charges. In this blog post, we discuss Arizona’s minor-in-consumption law. 

If you or your child…
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Money laundering is the process by which illegally obtained funds are converted into “legitimate” funds. The term describes how “dirty” money is moved and disguised to appear “clean,” hence its origin. Both Arizona and federal laws make money laundering illegal.

In this blog post, we focus on Arizona’s money laundering laws. Specifically, we cover:

• How Arizona defines money laundering
• A comparison between Arizona and federal money laundering laws
• Penalties for money laundering in Arizona
• Possible defenses to a money laundering charge under Arizona law

AZ Defenders criminal defense attorneys represent persons charged in Arizona in state and federal court cases,…
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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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Under Arizona law, a person commits kidnapping by knowingly restraining another person with the intent to engage in one of the specific acts listed in A.R.S. § 13-1304. Depending on the circumstances, it can be a Class 4, Class 3, or Class 2 felony.

In some circumstances, kidnapping in Arizona can also be a federal crime.

At AZ Defenders, we defend Arizona residents accused of criminal law violations, including kidnapping charges. 

This blog post covers Arizona’s kidnapping law, Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Section 13-1304. In it, we discuss:

• How Arizona law defines kidnapping
• How kidnapping can be a

…
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Under Arizona law, knowingly restraining another person can subject you to a charge of unlawful imprisonment. Unlawful imprisonment is sometimes informally referred to as “false imprisonment,” although false imprisonment more commonly refers to a related civil claim. 

Depending on the circumstances, a conviction of unlawful imprisonment can be a Class 6 felony or a Class 1 misdemeanor.

At AZ Defenders, we represent Arizona residents charged with criminal offenses, including unlawful imprisonment. In this blog post, we cover:

• How Arizona law defines unlawful imprisonment, including examples of what unlawful imprisonment is and exceptions to the law
• Legal penalties for

…
Continue Reading Unlawful Imprisonment in Arizona: ARS 13-1303

If you are charged with a crime while you are on pretrial release, bond, probation, parole, work furlough, community supervision, or, in some cases, the sentence for the new crime will be significantly more harsh than if you were not on probation.

AZ Defenders criminal defense attorneys represent people charged with many kinds of crimes in Arizona, including violations of probation and other offenses committed while on release for a prior conviction. In this blog post, we discuss Arizona’s law relating to offenses committed while released from confinement, Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Section 13-708.

If you are facing a…
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Indecent exposure is a criminal offense in Arizona that, depending on the circumstances, can be a misdemeanor or a felony-level charge. 

Depending on factors like the age of the person in front of whom the act occurs, whether it is a first-time or a repeat offense, and how many prior offenses have been committed. A conviction for indecent exposure can result in a sentence ranging from probation to fifteen years in prison in the most serious repeat-offender cases involving minors under 15 years of age.

At AZ Defenders, we represent people charged with sex-related crimes in Arizona, including…
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Armed robbery is a more serious form of the crime of robbery. It involves the possession, use, or threatened use of a deadly weapon or a simulated deadly weapon, or in some cases a dangerous instrument, during the commission of a robbery.

Armed robbery is a Class 2 felony under Arizona law, the second-most severe category of crime in the state.

In this article, we discuss the details of armed robbery in Arizona, including:

• How the law defines armed robbery
• The penalties for armed robbery
• Possible legal defenses to a charge of armed robbery

If you are facing an armed…
Continue Reading Armed Robbery in Arizona: ARS 13-1904

Under Arizona law, forgery involves altering a written document with the intent to defraud another person. 

A common example of forgery is trying to cash a check with a forged signature. Other common examples include creating fake prescriptions for medications or filling out unauthorized applications for credit using another person’s personal information.

Depending on the circumstances, a conviction for forgery is classified as a Class 4 or Class 3 felony in Arizona.

In this blog post, we examine forgery crimes in Arizona. Specifically, we cover:

• The elements of the offense
• Penalties for a forgery conviction
• Defenses to a charge of

…
Continue Reading Forgery in Arizona: ARS 13-2002