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If you get arrested in Maricopa County, it is up to you to protect your rights. The goal of law enforcement is to charge you with – and eventually have you convicted of – a crime. You cannot and should not trust them to protect you or preserve your constitutional rights. The best way to proceed is to know your rights before you get charged or arrested. You have several important rights under the U.S. Constitution, as well as Arizona state and federal laws.
The Right to Privacy
The Bill of Rights is a crucial document for the protection of
Continue Reading What Are Your Rights During a Maricopa County Arrest?

Sexual offenders – people who are convicted of sex crimes – are viewed as potential safety threats to the public. For this reason, there are state and federal sex offender laws in place to monitor and control an individual who has been found guilty of a sexually motivated crime. Learn more about sex offender laws and registration requirements to find out what you could potentially face if you get arrested for a sex crime in Arizona. 
What Is Considered a Sex Crime in Arizona?
A sex crime generally refers to touching the intimate parts of another person – the genitals,
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If you get arrested by law enforcement in Arizona, it is critical to know your rights. Whether you committed the offense for which you have been arrested or not, you have the right to remain silent and have an attorney present during police questioning. You also have a variety of legal protections, including a state law that limits how long the police can hold you in custody without charging you to a maximum of 48 hours.
How Long Can the Police Hold Me in Custody?
In Arizona, state law determines how long a person can remain in police custody without
Continue Reading How Long Can You Be Held in Custody by Arizona Law Enforcement?

 If a loved one gets arrested for an alleged criminal offense in Arizona, it may be up to you to protect the detainee’s rights by hiring a criminal defense attorney. The incarcerated individual may be unable to research a good attorney or take the steps necessary to retain legal services. If this task falls to you, here’s what you need to know.
What to Do if a Loved One Gets Arrested
If you are the person that a loved one contacts with his or her one phone call to explain that he or she has been arrested, advise your
Continue Reading Hiring an Attorney for an Incarcerated Loved One

Every year, tens of thousands of crimes are reported to law enforcement in the city of Phoenix.  What crimes are most common? Where are they reported most often? Are there any trends in the number of crimes reported?
The city of Phoenix provides detailed crime report data in its OpenData initiative, with a database that includes homicides, rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, thefts, motor vehicle thefts, arsons, and drug offenses.
We analyzed the data to provide insight into those questions and provide as much information on phoenix crime statistics as possible.
When are Most Crimes Reported in Phoenix?
From 2016-
Continue Reading Phoenix Crime Statistics: An Analysis of Reported Incidents from 2016 – 2022

It is against the law in Arizona to operate a motor vehicle without a valid and current driver’s license. This means a license that is not suspended or revoked. Knowingly driving on a public roadway with a suspended driver’s license is illegal. The penalties for violating this rule can include further driver’s license suspension, fines, vehicle impoundment and even jail time. Speak to a criminal defense attorney in Scottsdale if you find yourself facing charges of driving on a suspended license. 
What Is a Suspended License?
All drivers operating vehicles on public roads in Arizona must have valid licenses. Arizona
Continue Reading Understanding ARS 28-3473: Driving on a Suspended License

A hit-and-run is a crime that occurs when a driver leaves the scene of a car accident without stopping and fulfilling his or her legal responsibilities. In Arizona, drivers have a specific list of things that they must do before leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision. Any violation of these laws could result in an arrest or criminal charges for an alleged hit-and-run crime. A criminal defense attorney in Scottsdale may be able to guide you through the legal process as it applies to your case.
ARS 28-661: Accidents Involving Death or Physical Injuries 
The state’s hit-and-run laws
Continue Reading What Are Arizona’s Hit-and-Run Laws?

Embezzlement is a crime that involves taking money, property or assets from an employer or another party that has entrusted the defendant with the asset. It is a type of white-collar crime, meaning it has to do with finances and is typically committed for financial gain. Use this embezzlement FAQ page to learn more about this offense in Arizona and how a white-collar crime lawyer in Phoenix can help.
What Is the Definition of Embezzlement?
Embezzlement does not have its own designated criminal statute under Arizona law. Instead, it is part of the state’s theft law, found in Section 13-1802
Continue Reading Arizona Embezzlement FAQs

Racketeering can refer to any illegal activity that is performed to make a profit. It is a special criminal enterprise that often involves acquiring a business for the purpose of fraudulent, illegal or dishonest business dealings. It is a type of white-collar crime that can involve operating a business using money obtained illegally or for a coordinated scheme, such as money laundering. Arizona has two main anti-racketeering laws in place to define this crime.
A.R.S. 13-2301
Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) Section 13-2301 gives the state’s main definition of the crime of racketeering. It lists several activities that are classified as
Continue Reading What Are Arizona’s Anti-Racketeering Laws?

Criminal damage is how Arizona lawmakers refer to the crime of vandalism. Criminal damage is a serious crime that can result in a felony charge. It is defined in Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-1602 as many different reckless and intentional actions that damage, deface or otherwise decrease the value of the property of another person. State law describes six main types of criminal damage.
Recklessly Defacing or Damaging the Property of Another Person
The first type of criminal damage is to recklessly deface or damage the property of another person. The definition of “recklessness” in Arizona is to engage in
Continue Reading What Are the Main Types of Criminal Damage in Arizona?

In Arizona, property owners have the right to be free from theft, vandalism, trespassers and other property-related crimes. If a property owner believes that you committed a crime against his or her premises, vehicle or owned possessions, you may receive a criminal charge or get arrested for an alleged property crime. The penalties that you might face – and your available defense options – will depend on the type of property crime involved in the accusation.
Theft
Being accused of theft or thievery means that someone believes you stole something belonging to him or her. State law (Arizona Revised
Continue Reading What Are the Different Kinds of Property Crimes in Arizona?

State laws and federal laws do not always align. This makes it possible to face one of two different types of charges when accused of a crime in Arizona: state and federal. Understanding the difference between these types of charges is important. This distinction will decide which jurisdiction applies to your case, the language of the specific law that you allegedly broke and the potential penalties that you might be facing as a defendant.
What Is a Violation of State Law in Arizona?
A state crime refers to a violation of one of the Arizona Revised Statutes. It is
Continue Reading State Versus Federal Crimes in Arizona

Everyone makes mistakes. Unfortunately, some people end up with permanent criminal records because of their bad decisions. Once you’ve been introduced to the criminal justice system, it can be difficult to remove the stain that it has on your life, reputation, future and livelihood. If you wish for a fresh start, a few different options for sealing or erasing your criminal record may be available to you in Arizona.
Record Sealing vs. Expungement
Sealing a criminal record means to conceal it from the general public. The public, including individuals, employers and landlords, cannot view or access a sealed record. This
Continue Reading Are There Differences Between Sealed & Expunged Records?

It is important to understand the potential consequences that you are facing if you’ve been arrested or charged with sexual assault in Arizona. State lawmakers do not take sex crimes of any kind lightly. The punishment for sexual assault is severe and generally involves imprisonment. Learning the exact language of Arizona’s sexual assault laws can help you gain a better understanding of your charges and legal options.
What Is Arizona’s Definition of Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault refers to engaging in sexual contact or activity with a person without the individual’s consent. In Arizona, the phrase, “sexual assault” is often used
Continue Reading Arizona’s Sexual Assault Laws

No one plans on having to use deadly force to defend themselves from harm. If someone breaks into your home, attacks you in the streets or otherwise places you in fear of imminent bodily harm, however, you may have no choice but to shoot the assailant in self-defense. In this life-or-death situation, it is important to understand your legal rights under Arizona law. You must recognize when the use of deadly force is justified and when it is considered a crime.
What Is the Definition of Self-Defense in Arizona?
Whether or not you had the legal right to shoot someone
Continue Reading What happens if you shoot someone in self-defense?

When someone is convicted of a felony crime, many of his or her constitutional rights are stripped as part of the punishment. In Arizona, this includes the right to bear arms. In Arizona, state law (as well as federal law) prohibits the ownership of a firearm or even ammunition by convicted felons. You may be able to have your gun rights restored after being convicted of a felony in Arizona, however, after fulfilling certain requirements.
What Can Make You Lose the Right to Bear Arms in Arizona?
Arizona’s gun laws are relatively relaxed. It is seventh on the list of
Continue Reading Can a Felon Own a Gun in Arizona?