A recent newspaper article announced that police were investigating a charge of “criminal impersonation.” A man in Flagstaff told the authorities that he received an email, which the alleged victim described as “suspicious,” from someone who said he was an attorney. The email contained the man’s social security number, and demanded $12,000 in payment for […]
Criminal Impersonation in Arizona Read More »
Oregon standoff suspect Jon Ritzheimer appeared in federal court last week on a bail hearing. Ritzheimer is charged with conspiracy and other offenses, and had surrendered to the Peoria (Arizona) Police Department. Ritzheimer had left the Oregon occupation camp just hours before the FBI cracked down on the site, and returned to his Arizona home.
Arizonan Denied Bail in Oregon Standoff Case Read More »
After Leslie Allen Merritt, Jr. was arrested for the Phoenix freeway shootings, the case was presented to a Maricopa County grand jury, which proceeded to issue a 15-count indictment relating to four of the shootings. For those unfamiliar with the grand jury process, it is essentially designed to determine whether there is probable cause to
Prosecutors Accused of Misleading Grand Jury in I-10 Shootings Read More »
If you’ve been waiting for good news on the crime front, listen to this. The number of homicides in Phoenix during 2015 was the lowest in almost 30 years. A total of 113 murders took place in the city last year. And we haven’t seen a number that low since 1988. At various points during
Homicide Rate in Phoenix Hits 30-Year Low Read More »
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects all of us from unreasonable searches and seizures – at least it’s supposed to. But the definition of what constitutions “unreasonable” has changed over time, and most observers will tell you that the protection, in some areas, has been whittled away over the past 20 years
Google Supports Email Privacy Act Read More »
It is well known that it is relatively easy to purchase guns in Arizona. In fact, Arizona is one of only a small handful of states that sell the great majority of guns identified as having been used in the commission of crimes nationwide. But a recent study has identified a number of additional factors
Arizona Ranked as One of the Most Dangerous States Read More »
When the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act was passed in 2010, it represented good news for those who wanted to use pot to alleviate various medical conditions. The Act says, in effect, that you can’t be prosecuted for using marijuana provided you stay within the requirements of the statute. So far, so good. Then along comes
Arizona Supreme Court Rules on Medical Marijuana and DUI Read More »
The West Phoenix neighborhood surrounding Grand Canyon University has been plagued by crime for a number of years. Drugs, gang violence, prostitution and other illegal activities created a blight on the area, known as Canyon Corridor. But over the past couple of years, things have begun to change. Many people credit an initiative by The
Crime Down in West Phoenix Read More »
The issue of officer-involved shootings is in the forefront of the news in many cities these days, including Phoenix. Some say the statistics show that (a) our city has a relatively high per capita rate of shootings by police, and (b) to make matters worse, Latinos and blacks are shot in Phoenix at a rate
Preventing Officer-Involved Shootings in Phoenix Read More »
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been on the witness stand for days. He’s testifying in his contempt of court case. Arpaio, as well as five former or current aides, have been charged with violating three orders entered by United States District Judge G. Murray Snow. Back in 2007, a federal lawsuit alleged that Arpaio
Days of testimony by Joe Arpaio in pending contempt of court case Read More »
