Latest from Orent Law Offices Blog

If you are preparing for a criminal trial in Phoenix, AZ, understanding the process can help alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty associated with it. Being well-informed about each stage of your trial allows you to assist in making adequately informed decisions regarding your defense strategy. This information can also help you ensure that your due process rights aren’t violated.
Here’s an overview of the basic steps involved:
Jury Selection 
The first crucial step – even before commencing the actual trial – is jury selection. This process involves “voir dire,” and the purpose is to assemble an
Continue Reading The Steps of a Criminal Trial in Phoenix, AZ

Understanding the roles and responsibilities of Arizona criminal lawyers is important, given their essential function within our justice system. They’re responsible for ensuring justice and due process while representing defendants facing criminal charges. 
Here’s what they’re responsible for and what steps they’ll take to help you:
Client Consultation
One of the first duties of a criminal lawyer is to meet with potential clients. During this initial consultation, they evaluate your situation and explain how they can help. This meeting helps in determining if you are comfortable with them representing you.
The attorney wants to understand all aspects related to
Continue Reading What Are the Responsibilities of a Criminal Lawyer in Arizona?

Understanding the laws surrounding consent in Arizona is of significant importance, whether you’re navigating personal interactions or you become involved in a related legal matter. 
The concept of “consent” plays a crucial part in various criminal cases, particularly those involving sexual offenses. Understanding these laws allows you to make informed decisions and protects you against accusations. Additionally, this understanding is critical if you find yourself facing criminal charges. 
Age of Consent in Arizona
The age of consent in Arizona is 18 years old. This means that individuals who are at least this age can legally give their consent to
Continue Reading Consent Laws in Arizona

You’ve probably heard the term “dropping charges,” whether in real life or a TV show. However, most people don’t fully understand what this means and how it occurs. This blog explains the process of dropping charges in criminal cases in Phoenix, AZ. 
What Does “Dropping Charges” Mean?
Dropping charges refers to the act of withdrawing or discontinuing specific charges against an individual in a criminal case. Although it might seem similar, this action is different from when a judge dismisses charges, which is often done after a preliminary hearing. 
After a preliminary hearing, if there isn’t sufficient evidence to establish
Continue Reading Dropping Charges in Criminal Cases in Phoenix

The label “sex offender” often brings to mind distressing scenes and serious transgressions. It’s crucial to understand, though, that crimes warranting registration as a sex offender can encompass an array of activities that you may not be aware of.
Understanding these unexpected circumstances that can place you on a sex offender registry is crucial to maintaining your rights and protecting your future. The following are some of the crimes that might unexpectedly lead you to sex offender registration: 
Public Urination
Public urination is a behavior that may not seem serious or may even seem trivial, especially when compared to other
Continue Reading Surprising Things That Can Make You a Sex Offender

Arizona is home to some of the country’s most amazing sites, including the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, the O.K. Corral, and the red-rock buttes of Sedona. However, the natural beauty isn’t the only unique thing about Arizona. 
The state also has some of the strangest laws on their books. Though a little common sense and decency will mostly keep you out of trouble, it can’t hurt to be aware of these eight off-the-wall laws.
1. Street Racing Is Legal
Street racing is known around the country as a juvenile crime that young people love to risk their lives doing.
Continue Reading Top 8 Weirdest Laws in the State of Arizona

Public urination is illegal in Arizona and can result in criminal charges and penalties. This article will discuss the laws governing public urination in Arizona, as well as the possible legal consequences. It is worth noting that public urination is considered a criminal offense in Arizona and can have significant legal implications.

Understanding Public Urination Laws in Arizona:
Public urination in Arizona is a Class 1 Misdemeanor that falls under the category of “disorderly conduct” in ARS 13-2904. This includes parks, streets, alleys, and even parking lots that are accessible to the public. Phoenix also has its own city
Continue Reading Is Public Urination a Crime in Arizona?

In the digital age, where personal devices hold significant amounts of our private data, understanding your rights regarding electronic privacy becomes crucial. In Arizona, as is true nationwide in the United States, it’s indeed illegal to hack into someone else’s phone without their consent.

Laws Addressing Phone Hacking
Federal laws like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), Stored Communications Act (SCA), and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) govern these issues.
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
The CFAA was established in 1986, primarily to shield computer systems within federal entities and financial institutions from hacking. 
Now its provisions apply
Continue Reading Is It Illegal To Hack Someone’s Phone in Arizona?

When facing criminal charges for causing someone’s death in Arizona, it’s crucial to understand the distinctions among different categories of homicide. This knowledge can significantly influence how your legal defense is structured.
In Arizona, intentional or unintentional acts leading to loss of life may fall under several headings: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, or criminally negligent homicide. The key variations between manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide largely rely on aspects such as mens rea – the mental state accompanying a wrongful action – and the level of negligence involved.
Manslaughter in Arizona
Manslaughter involves taking someone’s life. It
Continue Reading Manslaughter vs. Criminally Negligent Homicide in Arizona

Driving without a license in Arizona may not sound like a big deal, but it is an offense that can end up leading to some fairly serious consequences. Simply stated, it refers to driving a motor vehicle on a highway without carrying a valid driver’s license as required by state laws.
Definition of Driving and Highway
Under Arizona law, driving means to operate or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle. Highway is defined as “the entire width between the boundary lines of every way if a part of the way is open to the use of the
Continue Reading What Are the Penalties for Driving Without a License in Arizona?

A massage is a great way to relieve stress and relax the body’s muscles. Establishing a relationship with a massage therapist can make clients feel more comfortable when getting massages.
However, though the relationship between a massage therapist and their client is naturally intimate, given that massages involve so much touching, it should never cross the line into anything sexual in nature. With that being said, sensual massages are illegal in the state of Arizona.
What Would Be Considered a Sensual Massage?
A “sensual massage” can refer to different things. Generally speaking, a sensual massage involves the masseuse using their
Continue Reading Are Sensual Massages Legal in Arizona?

Arizona has many types of obscenity laws. Some of these criminal offenses can result in substantial penalties, including jail time. If you are charged with a similar crime, you may wonder what that means, about your legal options, and whether or not you need a lawyer. This is normal, as obscenity charges are fairly uncommon.
What Is Obscenity?
Obscenity has a specific legal definition. Under Arizona law, something is obscene if it:

  • Appeals to the prurient interest 
  • Lacks literary, artistic, political, or scientific value, or
  • The average person would find it to depict sexual activity in a patently


Continue Reading Obscenity Laws in Phoenix, AZ

Each state has laws defining what constitutes the criminal offense of assault. To determine whether slapping someone is considered an assault in Phoenix, we need to look at Arizona state law.
This post will review Arizona laws on assault and aggravated assault. As you will learn, slapping someone will likely be considered assault in Phoenix, Arizona. The penalties for an assault can be harsher than you think. 
However, you may have valid defenses to the charges against you. Speak to an experienced Phoenix assault attorney to understand the charges against you and how to protect yourself best.  
What Is an
Continue Reading Is Slapping Someone Considered Assault in Phoenix, AZ?

In the world of criminal law, understanding the legal jargon that surrounds a case is often just as important as understanding the potential outcomes. You may often hear the terms “charges dropped” and “charges dismissed” when dealing with legal proceedings. Although they might often be used interchangeably, each term has a unique definition that can greatly affect your case’s result.
Charges Dropped
When you have criminal charges dropped, it means the prosecutor has decided that they will no longer move forward with pursuing charges against you. This occurs most often when there isn’t enough evidence to make a strong case,
Continue Reading What’s the Difference Between Having Your Charges Dismissed vs. Dropped?

A body attachment is a type of arrest warrant that courts issue for violations of specific court rules. It’s similar to regular arrest warrants in the sense that both instruct police officers to arrest you immediately.
However, it’s different because a body attachment isn’t necessarily linked with a criminal charge itself – rather, it’s directly tied to courtroom conduct breaches. But don’t be fooled; ignoring such an order can lead you into more trouble. Depending on the situation and the judge’s discretion, consequences may include high bail amounts or even criminal charges.
Reasons a Body Attachment Is Issued
The primary
Continue Reading What Is a Body Attachment? Is it a Criminal Charge?

A conviction for any sexual offense in Arizona can bring fines and jail time. However, for some sex crimes, a conviction can also involve the requirement of sex offender registration. 
Sex offender registration can impact various areas of your life, like employment and residence, and you might be tempted to skip the registration process entirely. However, that would be a mistake, as a failure to register will probably lead to further legal trouble. 
If you’re ordered by a court to register with Arizona’s sex offender registry, you’ll need to understand the process. You should also know the consequences of
Continue Reading Arizona Sex Offender Registration