As Arizona family lawyers, we see many different scenarios when two people decide to legally end their marriage. Recently, we’ve seen a growing trend emerge: couples who want to get divorced but can’t afford not to live together after the divorce. More and more couples who decide to legally separate from one another are still living together after the divorce has been finalized. Why would two individuals who struggled to live together as husband and wife want to continue to
In the United States, individuals who are suspected of a crime are supposed to remain innocent until proven guilty. But what happens when the evidence used to convict faces its own scrutiny years later? That question will once again take center stage in Arizona this year as an Arizona mother is re-tried for a highly publicized crime committed almost 24 years ago. On January 18, 1991, Debra Jean Milke was sentenced to death for her involvement in the conspiracy to
It’s that time of year again. Summer is over, and it’s time to start packing up the kids for the new school year. A feeling of worry always seems to accompany sending young children back to school, especially as those kids become more independent. Is there a way to put these worries at ease? In the technological world we live in today, there is. A variety of applications are available for smartphones specifically designed to help parents keep their children
When it comes to criminal prosecution, making sure evidence is secure is always a vital piece of proving any criminal charge. However, when Annie Dookhan worked as a chemist in the Hinton State Laboratory in Boston’s historic Jamaica Plain neighborhood, she neglected to ensure that key evidence was secure. She is now embroiled in a Boston crime lab scandal. The Damage Dookhan admitted to tampering and mishandling evidence for years. She confessed to sometimes recording drug evidence as positive when
The right to remain silent is one reserved for those who are suspected of committing a crime, but what happens when the arresting officer is the one whose words are used against them? A Phoenix police officer recently lost his job after allegations the officer was verbally abusive toward suspects. The initial claim that lead to an internal investigation came from the mother of a suspect the officer encountered in 2011. The mother made claims the officer was both physically
Summertime is here and as the temperature rises, vacationers will take to the water for a fun way to stay cool. Popular summertime time activities that start as innocent fun can turn dangerous when alcohol is involved in the situation. Operating under the influence (OUI) arrests, boating tickets, reckless operation of a watercraft, assault, drinking in public and indecent exposure are common occurrences when alcohol is added to summer activities. According to the DUI Foundation, boat operators that have a
Police officers are known for protecting and serving citizens. But what happens when the actions of these individuals are called into question? Earlier this year, the validity of case report testimony by one Scottsdale Police Sergeant, Anthony Bellissimo, was questioned, leading to his resignation. Unanswered questions about cases he was involved in over his career remain, including ongoing cases. False Testimony On April 7, Bellissimo was on duty when a shots-fired call was received at Jackrabbit Lounge, in the 4200
Scottsdale, Ariz. – Fourth of July weekend can be a dangerous time on Arizona roads. Hundreds of Arizona DUI arrests will be made during the Fourth of July weekend and the experienced Arizona DUI lawyers at Corso Law Group know that many Fourth of July celebrations this year will end with a very costly arrest. Mobile DUI units will be out in force on Fourth of July and the DUI checkpoints mean plenty of Arizonans will receive DUI citations. Last
The Fourth of July is known as a time for celebrations, barbecues and fireworks. Unfortunately, the Independence Day holiday has also become notorious for DUI charges and reckless driving. While celebrating July 4th with alcohol is fine in moderation, drinking can turn dangerous when mixed with driving. “People tend to relax their standards during long holiday weekends and end up facing an Arizona DUI as a result,” said Christopher Corso, Esq., of the Scottsdale-based law firm Corso Law Group. “They
In Arizona, a DUI conviction is not something taken lightly when deciding punishment. If convicted of a DUI, penalties could include a minimum jail time of 24 hours, a license suspension and numerous fines. According to the Arizona Government of Highway Safety, in 2012 there was a total of 30,433 DUI arrests. However, recent evidence shows a portion of these could be mistakenly penalized due to faulty technology. Scottsdale’s police lab is currently under fire for alleged defective equipment used
