The Law Offices of John Phebus

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Phoenix Criminal Law and Personal Injury Blog

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John Phebus

Latest from The Law Offices of John Phebus

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…
Continue Reading How Can a Misdemeanor Charge Affect Employment?

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…
Continue Reading How Arizona Defines Simple Assault Under ARS 13-1203

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…
Continue Reading Is It Illegal Not to Have Car Insurance in Arizona in 2026?

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…
Continue Reading Jesus Flores Killed in Phoenix Police Shooting

Jonathan Warren, 19, of Sahuarita, Arizona Died in Hit-and-Run Car Accident With Sprinter Van on Interstate 19 in Pima County
Police Vehicles Stop a Sedan
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

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona classifies misdemeanors into three classes, with class 3 the least severe.
  • First-time offenders face up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine, and up to one year of probation.
  • Arizona imposes a one-year statute of limitations for class 3 misdemeanors.
  • A repeat conviction within two years shifts sentencing to class 2 misdemeanor penalties.
  • A class 3 misdemeanor conviction carries many serious consequences, including effects on employment, housing, and professional licensing.

At The Law Offices of John Phebus, our criminal defense lawyers represent individuals across Arizona who need clear answers after an arrest. We defend people…
Continue Reading Class 3 Misdemeanors in Arizona

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 victim.
Continue Reading Woman Killed in Phoenix Semi-Truck Accident by 75th Avenue and Sherman Drive

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 hospital…
Continue Reading Motorcyclist Killed in Mesa Truck Accident by Greenfield Road and Desert Lane

Key Takeaways

  • A wrongful death lawsuit holds a negligent party financially accountable for a death they caused.
  • Arizona law allows surviving spouses, children, parents, or an estate’s personal representative to file a claim.
  • Recoverable damages may include medical costs, funeral expenses, lost income, and loss of companionship.
  • Arizona sets a two-year filing deadline, starting from the date of death.

Losing a family member unexpectedly may lead to grief, financial pressure, and unanswered questions. Grief and shock are often combined with a need for justice. This leads to questioning: How was my loved one killed? What is a wrongful death lawsuit?
Continue Reading What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

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 and…
Continue Reading Pedestrian Killed in Sun Lakes Truck Accident

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…
Continue Reading Gene Kaluza, Joanne Kaluza Died in Fire at Olive Ridge Senior Living in Peoria

Key Takeaways

  • Resisting arrest in Arizona covers both physical force and nonviolent non-compliance.
  • Physical resistance may result in a Class 6 felony; passive resistance carries a Class 1 misdemeanor.
  • Viable defenses include lack of intent, an unlawful arrest, or excessive force by the officer.

A resisting arrest charge in Arizona carries consequences far more serious than most people anticipate, and the outcome depends heavily on how the resistance occurred. The Law Offices of John Phebus has guided Arizonans across Glendale, Phoenix, and Peoria through criminal defense cases involving ars resisting arrest charges under state law. Penalties range from misdemeanor jail…
Continue Reading What Is the Penalty for Resisting Arrest in Arizona? Understanding A.R.S. § 13-2508

Lance Estervig, 54, Died, 17-Year-Old Girl Seriously Injured in Lake Pleasant Dump Truck Collision on Carefree Highway by 87th Avenue

LAKE PLEASANT, ARIZONA  (March 17, 2027) – A 54-year-old man from Phoenix identified as Lance Estervig has tragically died, and a 17-year-old girl was injured in a Lake Pleasant dump truck crash.
Maricopa County officials are saying that the collision took place around 11:45 a.m. on March 16. A dump truck hauling gravel was heading down State Route 74 in the eastbound lanes.
That truck failed to slow down and rear-ended a white Jeep Grand Cherokee before crashing into a black…
Continue Reading Lance Estervig Killed in Lake Pleasant Dump Truck Accident on State Route 74

Jesus Velazquez, 31, of Yuma, Died in Hit-and-Run Car Accident With Red Mazda Truck by East County 18 1/2 Streets and South Avenue 3E

YUMA COUNTY, ARIZONA (March 15, 2026) – A 31-year-old man identified as Jesus Velazquez has tragically died in a Yuma County car accident at East County 18 1/2 Streets and South Avenue 3E.
Yuma County officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:30 AM on Monday. Jesus Velazquez was standing near a parked vehicle on the south side of the roadway.
He and another person were hit by a red Mazda truck that veered into eastbound…
Continue Reading Jesus Velazquez Killed in Yuma County Car Accident

Brian Timothy Bayer, of Helena, Montana, Died In Bullhead City Motorcycle Accident With Dump Truck by Bullhead Parkway and Sivler Creek Road

BULLHEAD CITY, ARIZONA (March 14, 2026) – A 55-year-old motorcyclist identified as Brian Bayer has tragically died in a Bullhead City dump truck accident near the intersection of Bullhead Parkway and Silver Creek Road.
Mohave County officials are saying that the collision took place around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Brian Bayer was riding a motorcycle when he was struck by a dump truck that was attempting to make a turn onto Silver Creek Road from Bullhead Parkway.
Paramedics were…
Continue Reading Brian Bayer Died in Bullhead City Dump Truck Accident