Prater, who is a senior at Marcos de Niza High School, told authorities that he had built the device when he was 10 and wasn’t aware that it was filled with explosive powder. The device, which was made out of an empty carbon-dioxide cartridge, was filled with match heads, fireworks, and low-explosive powder, and was attached to a hobby fuse, has been deemed a “legitimate” IED by police. Court documents maintain that the “device meets the definition of an IED as defined by state law.”

After finding the IED, the cleaning lady took pictures of additional materials she found in the home and turned them over to police along with the device.

Though the judge understood that pre-trial services labeled Prater “low risk” to society, she agreed with the state’s attorney who stated, “due to recent events…the device is not something that we can take lightly.”

Because of our nation’s recent tragedies involving violence, state and federal authorities are going to be much more diligent in catching and prosecuting anyone they believe may pose a danger to others. This is why it is extremely important to remember that meddling with any explosive devices, or other experimental weapons, may earn you a trip to the police station.

If you have been charged with a weapons crime in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Tucson, or another AZ city, the criminal defense attorneys at JacksonWhite will work to decrease your penalties and will provide you with a voice in court. Schedule your FREE consultation with experienced JacksonWhite criminal lawyer, Jeremy Geigle by calling 480-818-9943.

Reportedly, D’Ambrosio posted the following message on his Facebook page: “[Expletive] a boston bominb wait till us see the [explitive] I do, I’ma be famous rapping, and beat every murder charge that comes across me!” The threats were not directed at his school or a specific person.

Joseph Solomon, Methuen Police Chief, stated at a press conference, “…to make a threat and use what occurred in Boston to enhance your threat, is extremely alarming for us.” Authorities seized an Xbox 360 with a hard drive and a computer tower from the suspect’s home to use as evidence in the case.

Though it’s likely that D’Ambrosio’s threats were empty, police are forced to take such comments extremely seriously in lieu of recent national tragedies. As the story above can teach us, it is important to remember that anything you post on the Internet can be used against you in court. Additionally, even if you think your online accounts are “private,” certain state and federal officials may be able to access such information if you are ever involved in criminal activity.

If you posted something online and are now being investigated for a crime in Phoenix, Tucson, or another city in Arizona, the criminal defense lawyers at JacksonWhite will fight your charges in court and will work to avoid incarceration. Call us today at 480-818-9943 to schedule a free and private consultation with JacksonWhite criminal attorney, Jeremy Geigle at any of his office locations in Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, or Tucson.

Reportedly, Abrahamson’s wife had an affair with an ex-boyfriend during a trip to North Dakota in 2011. After living with the fact for over a year, the former deputy apparently decided it was finally time to do something about it. Abrahamson and Deputy Steve Carpenter, his apparent accomplice, rented a sedan and drove the approximate 1,600 miles up to West Fargo on September 16, 2012. The two men pulled up to the home of the victim and left him bloody and unconscious. It was reported that the attack left the victim without part of his ear.

Abrahamson lives in Glendale and has worked for MCSO for seven years; he resigned on November 30 after he was arrested on November 7 in Phoenix. He has been charged with aggravated assault and will await sentencing on June 27. He faces up to 5 years in prison, though he will likely receive less as this is his first offense.  Carpenter was granted immunity by the prosecution in return for information about Abrahamson and the attack; he was placed on paid leave starting November 8 and his employment status is unknown.

In Arizona, an assault charge can have seriously detrimental effects on the accused, including prison time, fines, and potential termination from employment. When an individual is charged with assault or aggravated assault, employers may deem them a danger to others. If you have been arrested for an assault crime in Phoenix, Glendale, Tucson, Mesa, or another AZ city, the criminal defense lawyers at JacksonWhite will work to decrease your penalties and preserve your lifestyle. Call us today at 480-818-9943 to schedule a FREE consultation with experienced JacksonWhite criminal attorney, Jeremy Geigle.

Reportedly, Washington went to visit his child at a Phoenix apartment on May 1. He allegedly left with the child, unbeknownst to the mother, and failed to answer his cellphone when she tried calling him. Washington returned with the baby shortly thereafter, and claimed he had just gone to a nearby Dairy Queen. At this point, Washington and the child’s mother started fighting.

According to the mother, Washington pushed her away as she tried to reach for the child, grabbing her neck and pushing her over a railing on her apartment’s landing. In a probable-cause statement, the mother claims “she was unable to breathe and felt as if she was going to fall over the railing.” After the mother was able to get the child from Washington, she reportedly went into her apartment and tried to close the door, but the Arizona Cardinals linebacker was able to push his way in. Washington then allegedly took the mother’s cellphone and went to leave in his car; as the mother fought to get her phone, Washington apparently pushed her from behind, causing her to fall and break her collarbone. She also sustained several bruises, scrapes, and cuts from her fall. A nurse at a family-advocacy center discovered injuries on the mother “consistent with her version of events.”

Washington has been involved in prior domestic violence incidents with this woman. He was arrested on two felony aggravated assault charges.

In Arizona, it is possible for a person to be charged with domestic violence if they are involved in an altercation and the victim shares a child with the defendant. In addition, an aggravated assault charge can apply if the victim sustains serious injury.

If you were arrested for domestic violence in Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, or another AZ city, it is highly recommended that you retain the protection of a skilled criminal defense lawyer from JacksonWhite. In these cases, it is important that your side of the story is voiced in court; this can be a difficult and intimidating task without the help of a criminal defense attorney. Get the assistance you need today by calling 480-818-9943 to schedule a free and private consultation with JacksonWhite criminal lawyer, Jeremy Geigle.

It is reported that over 100 people were at the party at the time of the incident. Though friends helped put the flames out, the victims were already singed on their legs and back. One of the women was a 17-year-old prospective ASU student who left with second and third-degree burns covering about 15% of her body. She was treated at a local burn center after paramedics found her down the street from the party; allegedly, the fraternity brothers who hosted the fete asked her to leave the premise to avoid police attention. The second victim, an 18-year-old ASU student, left with second-degree burns on her legs, arm, and shoulder.

Though Kent is pleading not guilty, he allegedly admitted to his fraternity brothers and to the 17-year-old victim’s father that he was the one who threw the bottle into the fire. Kent, who reportedly “did not display any remorse to the victims,” has been charged with two counts of endangerment and two counts of aggravated assault, both felonies.

Aggravated assault can be charged in Arizona if an individual commits behavior which can be deemed assault and causes serious injury to the victim. In this context, aggravated assault is charged as a class 3 felony in AZ. If convicted, it is likely that Kent will spend time behind bars.

Alcohol can lead to very poor decisions, as can be seen from the case above. If you were charged with assault or aggravated assault because of negligent behavior in Tempe, Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, or another AZ city, the criminal defense team at JacksonWhite can work to decrease your penalties. Don’t let one mistake ruin your future; get the help you need by calling 480-818-9943 to schedule a free consultation with JacksonWhite criminal attorney, Jeremy Geigle.

Reportedly, 20-year-old Caleb Everett got into an initial argument with partygoers after he was asked to leave the apartment complex. Everett left and returned with a group of friends, in addition to a baseball bat and two 9mm handguns. After approximately 20 people filed out of the complex, two groups began taunting each other, which is when witnesses reported seeing 18-year-old Zack Rezendes hit someone in the head with one of the bats. At some point during the altercation, two suspects fired shots from the handguns into the air away from the crowd. Everett, Rezendes, and four other suspects then got into a car and fled the scene, but were soon discovered by police. Though the group escaped from the car and ran on foot, a police K-9 tracked down four of the suspects; Everett was arrested at his home later that day.

The group has been charged with various crimes including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct with a weapon, and minor in consumption of alcohol.

While a regular assault charge is generally charged as a class 1 misdemeanor in Arizona, an aggravated assault charge involving a deadly weapon is charged as a class 3 felony. Not only does a felony charge come with significantly increased fines and detrimental effects on your permanent record, it can also land you in prison.

Sometimes, alcohol or emotions can cause otherwise responsible people to get out of hand and become violent. If you were arrested for assault or aggravated assault in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Tucson, or another AZ city, the criminal defense lawyers at JacksonWhite will work to reduce your charges and avoid time behind bars. Call us today at 480-818-9943 to schedule a free and private consultation with JacksonWhite criminal attorney, Jeremy Geigle at any of his offices located throughout the Phoenix Valley or in Tucson.

One year after he was put behind bars, Gleason hogtied, strangled, and beat his 63-year-old mentally disturbed cellmate and remained with his lifeless body for 15 hours before jail officers discovered the murder. A little over a year later, after being moved to a secluded prison reserved for the state’s worst inmates, Gleason strangled another inmate through a wire fence that separated them on the recreation yard. He vowed to continue killing until he was put to death by execution.

Gleason explained he “only kills criminals,” and hoped that his own death would teach his two young sons “what can happen if they follow in his footsteps.”

“Bobby from Boston,” as he signs his letters, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts and became an award-winning tattoo artist along the East Coast after attending art school in North Carolina. Gleason had a childhood riddled with abuse and continued to have issues with depression and mental health as an adult, in addition to heavy drug and alcohol use. Attorneys for Gleason maintain that he suffered from severe anxiety, paranoia, and delusional thinking, all of which provoked him with continued suicidal thoughts.

All condemned inmates in Virginia are given the choice between lethal injection and electrocution; Gleason was the first inmate since 2010 to choose electrocution. As he put it, “I’d rather be sitting up.” He was pronounced dead by authorities at 9:08 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16.

In most cases, defendants and their attorneys work together to avoid the death penalty. In Gleason’s case however, he wished to be punished as he said the Bible deemed just, “an eye for an eye.” If you were arrested for murder in Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, or another city in Arizona, the criminal defense lawyers at JacksonWhite can help protect you against the death penalty if you wish. Schedule a free and confidential consultation with experienced JacksonWhite criminal attorney, Jeremy Geigle by dialing 480-818-9943.

Kohler was serving on a jury during an armed robbery trial in Oregon, and during a round of testimony from a police officer, the lights were dimmed to prepare for a surveillance video related to the case. During the video, Judge Dennis Graves looked over at the jury and easily spotted the glowing light of a cellphone reflecting off of Kohler’s shirt.

Before the trial began, Judge Graves specifically prohibited the use of mobile phones during the trial, including the activities of texting and checking social media. As the judge put it, “every juror has the responsibility to devote his entire attention to the witnesses and evidence being presented.” After he neglected to obey the judge, Kohler was taken into custody and charged with contempt of court. Because there are no bail options for a contempt of court charge, he sat in jail for 2 days before being released.  An alternate juror was selected to take Kohler’s place at trial.

Though it may not seem like a serious offense to check your cellphone during a long-lasting and perhaps boring trial, disrupting the justice system is taken very seriously in the U.S. If you were charged with contempt of court in Phoenix, Tucson, or another city in Arizona, the criminal defense lawyers at JacksonWhite will work to keep your record clean and minimize your punishments. Call us today at 480-818-9943 to schedule a free consultation with JacksonWhite criminal attorney, Jeremy Geigle.

Not only does pretrial incarceration waste taxpayer money, which costs the city of New Orleans approximately $10 million every year, it can also have detrimental consequences for the defendants. One such woman, a fast-food worker, wasn’t able to reach her landlord as she sat behind bars; she was released only to find that she had been evicted and has lost all of her belongings. Similarly, a dishwasher lost his job sitting in jail waiting for his trial, simply for being stopped on a traffic-ticket violation. Finally, an 18-year-old high school student was jailed for 51 days after stealing her neighbor’s iPhone because her family couldn’t afford her $200 bail.

In New Orleans, as in many cities, a judge can place a bail amount but allow an offender to be released if a trusted person pledges to pay the bond if the offender doesn’t return to court, known as a personal surety. But in most cases, there is an administrative fee with surety bonds; in New Orleans, the fee is $200. If the offender or their family cannot pay the fee, even a personal surety isn’t enough to release them.

An associate professor at Brigham Young University Law School, Shima Baradaran explains that while “some inmates are held because they pose a danger to others…that’s the exception, not the rule. The overwhelming majority of people in our nation’s jails are not a threat to society.” Of all of those incarcerated in U.S. jails, 75% committed nonviolent crimes such as drug possession, property damage, or other petty offenses. Along with Frank McIntyre, a Rutgers Business School economist, Baradaran determined that crime would not increase if 25% more prisoners were released without any added supervision.

This crisis continues to affect millions of low-income Americans every day, in addition to the taxpayers who contribute to the millions of dollars that large cities pay to incarcerate those who have committed both serious and petty offenses. Though some courts have implemented pre-trial programs that allow defendants to return to court without incident, the system for setting bail hasn’t seen the change our country needs. In 1990, judges set bond in 53% of all felony cases; that number rose to 70% by 2006.

Will the bail system change in Arizona anytime soon? While the state legislation has not announced any plans for reform, it is reasonable to believe that this issue will be resolved nationally in coming decades.

The criminal defense lawyers at JacksonWhite understand that when someone is charged with a crime in AZ, they are faced with numerous expenses that they likely never factored into their budget. On top of bail, most crimes come with large fines, making it nearly impossible for many defendants to even think about hiring a criminal defense attorney to protect them. If you were arrested for a crime in Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, or another city in Arizona, the JacksonWhite criminal lawyers will ensure that you don’t sit in jail any longer than necessary, and we can set up payment plans so that you can afford the assistance you need. Call us today at 480-818-9943 to schedule a FREE and private consultation with JacksonWhite criminal attorney, Jeremy Geigle.

When police arrived, Morales and Tejada reportedly acted as victims while Pride and Santos attempted to escape. As officers chased the two men down, Pride allegedly fired a shot from a 9mm semiautomatic pistol which hit a New York City police officer in the face. The man died later at a hospital and became the first officer to be fatally shot on the job since 2007.

Pride was convicted of burglary and second-degree aggravated manslaughter and could face 25 years to life in prison. But as his defense attorney, James Koenig, put it, “this was the best-case scenario” as the jury decided that Pride did not intentionally kill the officer.

According to Pride, the gun went off accidentally after he tripped and fell on the stairs while trying to escape. He can be seen explaining his side of the story in his videotaped statement, stating, “I never took my hand off the trigger…that was my mistake.” Though Pride has taken full responsibility for the officer’s death, he maintains that he never intended to harm anyone during the burglary. As Koenig reminds us, “responsibility is not intent.”

In Arizona, manslaughter is defined in A.R.S. 13-1103:

A person commits manslaughter by recklessly causing the death of another person.

Manslaughter is generally charged as a class 2 felony in Arizona.

When anyone loses their life as a result of another’s reckless behavior, it is always an extremely tragic event. With that being said, there is a grave difference between intending to kill someone and accidentally causing their death. If you have been charged with murder or manslaughter in Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, or another AZ city, the criminal lawyers at JacksonWhite will protect your rights in court. If your behavior unintentionally caused the death of another, you will need a skilled JacksonWhite criminal defense attorney on your side to prove your case to the jury. Get the protection you need today by calling 480-818-9943 to schedule a free and private consultation with JacksonWhite criminal defense lawyer, Jeremy Geigle.