What is Unlawful Detention?

July 25, 2026 | Criminal Defense

Unlawful detention means a person is held, stopped, or restrained against their will without lawful authority. In criminal defense cases, the issue often involves police detaining someone without reasonable suspicion, arresting someone without probable cause, or extending a stop beyond the time permitted by case law. AZ Defenders helps Arizona defendants review cases involving unlawful… read more

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What Is a Motion to Vacate?

July 22, 2026 | Defense Strategies

A motion to vacate is a request asking a court to throw out a judgment and/or conviction of guilt, or sentence. In an Arizona criminal case, this type of motion may be used after judgment when a defendant believes there is a serious legal problem with the conviction or sentence. A motion to vacate is… read more

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If a Case Is Dismissed, Can It Be Reopened?

July 21, 2026 | Criminal Defense

If a criminal case is dismissed, it may be reopened or refiled in some situations. The answer depends on whether the dismissal was “with prejudice” or “without prejudice,” whether the statute of limitations has expired, and whether the prosecutor has a legal basis to bring the charges again. A dismissal can feel like the end… read more

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How to Appeal a Criminal Conviction in Arizona

July 2, 2026 | Criminal Defense

Sometimes, a criminal conviction results from a mistake at the trial court level. If this happens, a criminal appeal is a process you can use to seek to correct that error. Examples of the remedies you can seek through a criminal appeal include an acquittal of the charge against you, a new trial, or a… read more

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Can You Appeal a Conviction Years Later in Arizona?

June 30, 2026 | Criminal Defense

Under Arizona’s Rules of Criminal Procedure, you generally have a limited timeframe to file an appeal after being convicted after trial of a criminal offense. For a direct appeal, this is usually only 20 days (for felony cases, 14 for misdemeanor cases) after the trial court enters the judgment and sentence. But what happens if… read more

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