Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorney Aaron Black - Blog

Road rage begins with aggressive driving, which is a traffic offense, and road rage moves the offense into the criminal code as a very serious felony with prison, significant fines and life-changing restrictions as punishments. more...

Those selling or trafficking Fentanyl open themselves to a Class 2 felony carrying long prison sentences if convicted and a drastically altered life after release from prison. Here are just a few examples of fentanyl cases so far this year... more...

Unknowingly buying stolen property is not an excuse. You can still be prosecuted. That is because the law wants to discourage anyone to benefit from a crime. A person who knowingly buys something that was stolen is colluding with the criminal and is equally guilty. more...

The centuries old practice of dismissing potential jurors without providing a reason, called peremptory, will end in Arizona at the beginning of 2022, ruled the Arizona Supreme Court. more...

If you drive the 101, 202 or the 303 a lot you might have seen a speeding car zipping in and out of traffic and taking chances. You may have seen two cars doing that together. Either way you have witnessed the dangerous activity of racing on greater Phoenix freeways. more...

Drivers who are unfortunate enough to hit someone in Phoenix and make a snap decision to flee the scene are bringing more trouble upon themselves. Circumstances of the misfortune may lead to a viable defense for a felony hit-and-run crime. more...

Law enforcement in Arizona has every right to enter a home in hot pursuit of a felony suspect but the U.S. Supreme Court is deciding if law officers can legally enter private property in misdemeanor cases without a search warrant. Any evidence gathered during an illegal search cannot be used against the defendant. more...

Arizona legislators have enacted laws aimed at street and syndicate gangs to curtail criminal behavior including drive-by shootings; illicit drug sales; weapon violations; homicide and graffiti; assault; burglary; rape; drug possession, use, sales and trafficking; smuggling and homicide, among other offenses. Organized crimes are aggressively prosecuted and the sentences are harsh because these crimes are considered attacks on society. Members of street gangs and organized crime who are convicted often continue their associations in the form of prison gangs. Those convicted under gang laws face harsh penalties, and in certain cases will not qualify for probation. more...

All across our nation, pandemic lockdowns and restrictions have dramatically increased the rate of domestic violence and murder, two crimes that often are connected. During 2020, 51 cities of various sizes across the U.S. saw an average 35% jump in murder from 2019 to 2020, according to crime analyst Jeff Asher of Crimealytics in a Christian Science Monitor report published in December 2020. more...

In certain situations involving a Class 6 felony, the least serious in the range of felonies, it may be possible to have the felony reduced to a Class 1 misdemeanor, the most serious in the misdemeanor class, but still much easier to live with than a felony conviction. more...

Arizona’s compressed cities and sprawling ranches are protected by criminal trespassing law, which is also often alleged as a lesser included offense in arson, burglary, home invasion and robbery crimes. Even standing alone, a criminal trespassing conviction means a criminal record, time in jail, probation, and significant fines so it is not an inconsequential offense. Criminal trespassing law is broad ranging from, someone uninvited is on the private property of someone’s home, to criminal damage. The laws are codified in three sections of Arizona’s Revised Statutes for first, second, and third degree offenses. more...

If law enforcement has arrested you for a crime, then it is important to know how to conduct yourself. You do not want to have your words or actions used against you in court. Criminal defense attorney Aaron Black explains how to avoid self-incrimination while in custody. more...

Since the pandemic began, calls reporting domestic violence have risen by 140 percent over calls a year ago according to the Phoenix Police Department. more...

On its face it may seem unfair for someone to be criminally charged for an act performed by someone else. But those who in any way assist someone to commit or cover up a crime will face the same charges and penalties as the actual perpetrator. more...

How do I find the best criminal defense attorney for my case? Phoenix defense attorney Aaron Black offers the following pieces of advice. more...

Many defendants are offered a plea bargain or are given the opportunity to enter into a voluntary diversion program known as deferred prosecution. more...

Arizona and all other states have an important system that allows people who are charged with a crime to remain free while the case travels its way through the complex legal system, which can take months or even years before resolution. more...

This is the first time you will be in court standing before a judge. During this appearance you will be officially informed about the criminal allegations against you. You will also be advised of your right to have an attorney representing you or that one will be appointed for you. more...

Many tangible things related to the manufacture and use of drugs are defined in Arizona Revised Statute §13-3415(F)(2) as paraphernalia so a common kitchen spoon and even the kitchen sink can become paraphernalia tools for a Class 6 felony. more...

The age of consent to legally agree to engage in sexual activity in Arizona is 18, however, a legal exception is in place in Arizona to avoid a statutory rape conviction. more...