Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

You can assert self-defense from inside a locked bedroom, even when the person trying to come through the door entered the home as a guest of a co-resident. The Arizona Supreme Court confirmed that principle on October 7, 2025, and that ruling gives you powerful arguments if you face a confrontation in a shared residence.…

A recent decision from the Arizona Court of Appeals highlights how the outcome of an appeal often depends on what was preserved in the trial court record. In State v. McNulty, the court affirmed a conviction for robbery and related charges, emphasizing how much deference appellate judges give to what happened at trial. If you…

A recent Arizona Court of Appeals opinion demonstrates how a single procedural mistake during sentencing can result in a complete reversal. When a judge fails to personally confirm a prior conviction before issuing a harsher sentence, the sentence cannot stand. If you are accused of a crime in Arizona, you should have a defense attorney…

In May 2025, the Arizona Court of Appeals issued a published decision that strengthens legal protections against unlawful searches and seizures. The case focuses on what information law enforcement must include in an affidavit to justify a search warrant. While the court ultimately upheld the warrant in that case, the opinion highlights the standards Arizona…

Even if you accepted a plea and started serving your sentence, you may still have legal grounds to challenge the outcome. Arizona law provides a narrow but important path for those seeking post-conviction relief under Rule 33. This process allows you to present new facts, expose violations of your rights, or raise concerns that were…

If you are facing felony charges in Arizona, you may assume you are entitled to a 12-person jury under the Sixth Amendment. In some cases, however, state law provides for a smaller jury. Whether that decision is up to you depends on the type of offense and the potential sentence. A recent appeals court ruling…

If you’re facing serious felony charges in Phoenix and think certain statements made during a police interview might have tainted your trial, a recent Arizona Court of Appeals decision shows how difficult it is to overturn a conviction on those grounds. In State v. Narayan, decided in April 2025, the court upheld a sexual assault…

On November 20, 2015, the Supreme Court of Arizona decided Dobson v. McClennen (P.3d, 2015 WL 7353847, Arizona Supreme Court 2015). The decision has important implications for individuals that use medical marijuana and might have THC or its metabolite in their system but drive at a time when they are not impaired. Jokingly called the “Driving While a…

The jury instructions that are given at a defendant’s criminal trial can make a big difference to the outcome of the case. In State v. Almeida, the appellate court considered the trial court’s failure to give a jury instruction about A.R.S. § 13-411, the “crime prevention justification.” Among other things, A.R.S. § 13-411 allows someone…

Criminal jury trials for serious offenses in Arizona are complex and high-stakes proceedings, where the fairness and impartiality of the jury are paramount. Arizona law requires that jurors remain unbiased and free from outside influences that could cloud their judgment. However, achieving this ideal can be challenging, as jurors are human beings who bring their…