Category : Criminal Defense

For police to surreptitiously track a motor vehicle using GPS technology requires a warrant; and a passenger traveling with the vehicle-owner has a reasonable expectation of privacy under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Arizona v. Emilio Jean The defendant, Emilio Jean, was a passenger in the tractor-trailer stopped by police. Defendant was convicted […]

Defendant appealed her aggravated DUI convictions arguing the trial court erred in not suppressing blood-alcohol test results because police obtained the blood sample without valid consent or warrant. Affirmed. Although the blood sample was unlawfully obtained, the BAC test evidence was admissible proof of guilt under the good-faith exception to the exclusionary rule of evidence. […]

In this appeal from two felony convictions of promoting prison contraband, defendant knowingly possessed a cellphone in the jail or prison facility, but claimed he did not know it was contraband. After harmonizing five statutes, the Arizona Supreme Court held the State must only prove the defendant “knowingly” possessed a cellphone. The prosecution need not […]

In Arson case, evidence of a previous fire was admitted to show a common plan or scheme in the burning of an occupied structure which was defendant’s house. Evidence from an anonymous informant was also admitted. Defendant was convicted of arson, a class 2 dangerous felony, and attempted fraudulent schemes and artifices, a class 3 […]

ASU student with medical marijuana card convicted of drug possession on campus despite having amount allowed by Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA). Reversed on appeal. AMMA amendment was unconstitutional to extent it violated the Voter Protection Act. Arizona v. Andre Lee Juwaun Maestas Arizona Legislation Prohibited Medical Marijuana on Public College and University Campuses The […]

Prior convictions are an element of the crime of felony shoplifting in Arizona law; shoplifting priors are not sentencing enhancements therefore bifurcating the trial was not required. Arizona v. Lara Bifurcated Trials and Prejudicial Impact of Prior Convictions on Juries Lara was convicted of felony shoplifting after stealing merchandise from a Walmart store. Because she […]

In this marijuana possession case, the statement made by defendant in order to participate in Maricopa County’s Treatment Assessment Screening Center (TASC) deferred prosecution program was admission of guilt used against him at trial; and was not barred by Ariz. Rule of Evidence 410(a)(4) which applies to plea negotiations. State of Arizona and Dustin Gill […]