Key Takeaways

• A felony sentencing hearing determines the penalty a judge imposes after a conviction or plea agreement.
• Courts review a pre-sentence investigation report, attorney’s arguments, and victim’s statements before sentencing.
• Judges weigh both aggravating and mitigating circumstances when selecting a sentence.
• Sentencing options may include prison, probation, restitution, or fines, depending on the case.
• Preparation before the hearing date directly affects the outcome a defendant receives.

The period between a conviction and a sentencing date leaves many defendants and their families searching for answers. At The Law Offices of John Phebus, our criminal defense attorneys work with clients throughout…
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Key Takeaways

• Proposition 207 legalized recreational marijuana in Arizona for adults 21 and older.
• Adults may legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana or 5 grams of concentrate.
• Home cultivation allows up to 6 plants per adult, capped at 12 plants per residence, in a secured, enclosed space.
• Driving under the influence of marijuana remains a criminal offense regardless of legal use.
• Exceeding possession, cultivation, or transfer limits may result in misdemeanor or felony charges

Glendale residents navigating Arizona marijuana law often come back to the same starting point: is it legal to grow your own weed in Arizona?
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Key Takeaways

• A second DUI within seven years triggers enhanced mandatory penalties under Arizona law.
• Arizona classifies second-offense DUI into three tiers: regular, extreme, and super extreme.
• Second-offense penalties include jail time, fines exceeding $3,500, a one-year license revocation, and mandatory ignition interlock installation.
• A prior DUI conviction set aside may still count toward sentencing enhancement on a future charge.
• Defense strategies and plea negotiations remain available for second-offense DUI charges.

A second DUI charge in Glendale marks a turning point in how Arizona law treats a driver. The penalties for second DUI in Arizona carry mandatory minimums no judge…
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Key Takeaways

• Arizona law defines shoplifting broadly, covering concealment, price tag manipulation, and container transfers.
• Charges range from Class 1 misdemeanor to felony level, depending on merchandise value and case circumstances.
• A misdemeanor conviction carries up to six months in jail and a permanent criminal record.
• Intent is a required element, and prosecutors must prove it to secure a conviction.
• Early legal involvement preserves more defense options.

Shoplifting accusations carry real consequences throughout Arizona. A single charge can affect employment prospects, housing applications, and a person’s standing in the community. At The Law Offices of John Phebus, we represent individuals…
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Key Takeaways

• Arizona courts prohibit hats, shorts, tank tops, and sunglasses inside the courtroom.
• Conservative, clean, and pressed business attire is the standard for men and women.
• Appearance influences how a judge, jury, and opposing counsel perceive a plaintiff.
• Distracting clothing, accessories, and fragrances can work against a personal injury case.
• Most personal injury claims settle before trial, but formal dress standards apply at every hearing.

Knowing what should I wear for court can feel like a minor concern when navigating a personal injury case, yet the clothing choice shapes how a judge, jury, or opposing counsel perceives you the…
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Key Takeaways

• Federal and Arizona law establish the right to counsel, fair trial, and witness confrontation.
• Earlier attorney involvement opens more opportunities to shape how a case develops.
• Defense attorneys review arrests and evidence collection to identify procedural issues early.
• Attorneys conduct independent investigations and may seek exclusion of unlawfully obtained evidence.
• Defense attorneys guide clients through plea negotiations and handle every aspect of courtroom advocacy when cases proceed to trial.

A criminal charge demands an immediate response. The justice system moves fast, and defendants who navigate charges without representation may face serious disadvantages as the situation develops. At The…
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Key Takeaways

• Arizona permits economic, non-economic, and, in certain cases, punitive damages in personal injury lawsuits.
• Injury severity, evidence quality, and limits on insurance coverage all influence a settlement’s final value.
• Common methods to calculate non-economic damages: the multiplier method and the daily rate method.
• Comparative fault reduces damages proportionally to the claimant’s fault.
• A personal injury calculator organizes financial losses and may offer a rough estimate of possible compensation but does not replace a case-specific legal evaluation.

Recovering from an accident in Arizona leads to challenges extending well beyond the initial injury. Medical appointments accumulate, income stops, and the…
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Key Takeaways

• Arizona wrongful death settlements resolve claims outside court with compensation to surviving family members.
• Arizona law requires actions to be brought by a spouse, child, parent, guardian, or personal representative.
• Recovery is distributed to surviving relatives in proportion to their individual damages.
• Courts approve agreed distributions or oversee disputes involving beneficiaries who are minors.
• Financial dependence on the deceased typically determines a larger share of a wrongful death settlement.

Losing a family member is always devastating. But when that devastation is the result of another party’s negligence, sadness may combine with a need for justice, accountability, and compensation…
Continue Reading How Are Settlements Divided Among Family Members in Wrongful Death Cases?

Key Takeaways

• Arizona misdemeanor charges may appear on employment background checks.
• Employers can deny a position when a misdemeanor reasonably relates to the role.
• Arizona law bars private employers from obtaining criminal histories from the Central State Repository.
• Arizona employers must obtain written consent before running a background check.
• Records sealed or set aside under Arizona law generally do not require disclosure.

Facing a misdemeanor charge in Arizona raises immediate questions about what the future holds. Among the most pressing concerns for Glendale residents: Can you get a job with a misdemeanor on your record? The answer varies based on…
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Key Takeaways

• Arizona law does not require a weapon or serious injury for an assault charge.
• Intentionally or knowingly causing physical injury constitutes class 1 misdemeanor assault.
• Intentionally placing another in reasonable fear of imminent physical harm constitutes class 2 assault.
• Knowingly touching another with intent to insult or provoke constitutes class 3 misdemeanor assault.
• Prosecutors must prove the required mental state beyond a reasonable doubt.

Simple confrontations can escalate into criminal charges faster than most people expect. At The Law Offices of John Phebus, we regularly represent Arizona residents charged under ARS 13-1203, a statute governing simple assault…
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Key Takeaways

• Driving without insurance in Arizona is illegal under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-4135.
• Arizona law requires liability insurance for any vehicle operated on a public road.
• A first offense for driving without insurance carries a $500 fine and a three-month license suspension.
• Arizona sets minimum liability coverage at $25,000 bodily injury per person.
• Drivers must provide proof of active insurance during an Arizona traffic stop.

Driving through Glendale, Phoenix, or anywhere across Arizona without proper insurance coverage puts more than your wallet at risk. At The Law Offices of John Phebus, our car accident lawyers regularly work with…
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Jesus Gonzalez Flores, of Avondale, Died Following Officer-Involved Shooting Near Interstate 17 in Phoenix

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (April 5, 2026) – A 41-year-old man identified as Jesus Flores has tragically died in a Phoenix police shooting by 19th Avenue and Durango Street.
Phoenix police officials are saying the incident took place around 9:00 p.m. on February 27. Officers were called to the area to assist DPS troopers who required help.
Footage from that night shows officers taking cover behind a vehicle. The squeal of tires can be heard in the background. Smoke also began to fill the air as a result of…
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Jonathan Warren, 19, of Sahuarita, Arizona Died in Hit-and-Run Car Accident With Sprinter Van on Interstate 19 in Pima County

TUCSON, ARIZONA (March 31, 2026) – A pedestrian identified as Jonathan Warren has tragically died in a Sahuarita hit-and-run car accident along Interstate 19.
Pima County officials are saying the accident took place around 1:39 AM on March 3. Arizona troopers received a report about a man walking by the travel lanes of Interstate 19.
By the time they arrived at the scene, they discovered Jonathan Warren in the median lane. He was beyond medical aid and pronounced dead at the scene.
Continue Reading Jonathan Warren Killed in Sahuarita Car Accident on Interstate 19