Articles Posted in Arizona Criminal Defense

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…

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…

Recently, an Arizona court denied a defendant’s appeal in a murder case involving the defendant’s former roommate. The defendant asked the court to consider the written confession that the State introduced at trial inadmissible; he claimed he did not write the confession voluntarily and, therefore, the prosecution should not have been able to use it.…

In a recent case coming out of the Supreme Court of Arizona, the defendant asked the court to reconsider his conviction for resisting arrest. According to the defendant, the trial court improperly instructed the jury regarding the law that applied to his case, and the verdict should be reversed because of the trial court’s error.…

In a recent case before the Arizona Court of Appeals, the defendant unsuccessfully argued that a police officer’s canine search of her vehicle was unwarranted. Originally, the defendant was charged, convicted, and sentenced for possession of a narcotic drug for sale. On appeal, she argued that the evidence of the drugs should have been suppressed…

In a recent opinion from an Arizona court in a kidnapping case, the defendant’s original conviction was sustained. The defendant argued that even though he had committed burglary and aggravated assault on the day in question, his crimes did not fit within the definition of “kidnapping.” The court disagreed, denying his appeal and affirming his…

In a recent opinion written by an Arizona appellate court, a defendant appealed a lower court’s denial of his to suppress the physical evidence found in his backpack after a murder. The appellate court affirmed the denial of his motion to suppress, finding that the defendant’s Fourth Amendment protections were not violated since the backpack…

Recently, the Arizona Court of Appeals issued an opinion in an Arizona robbery and felony-murder case. In its opinion, the court affirmed the lower court’s decision to deny the defendant’s motion to preclude an identification made by a witness. The Facts of the Case According to the court’s opinion, the defendant and four other individuals…

Over the past decade, more states are coming to realize the detrimental—and unfair—effects that result when applying existing laws. For example, laws imposing mandatory minimum punishments, the system’s failure to account for mental health issues (including addiction), and harsh collateral consequences that come along with a conviction have all started to get a second look.…