Posts by Kolsrud Law
Phoenix Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Offers Insights Into Teacher-Student Assault
In his Phoenix 12 News interview, defense attorney Josh Kolsrud zeroed in on the self-defense claim being floated in the case. Based on the facts shared by the school, Kolsrud said he does not see a viable self-defense argument, emphasizing that striking a child in the back doesn’t align with how self-defense is legally defined. His analysis suggests that even if a classroom situation was chaotic, the alleged response crosses a legal line—especially when force is used against a student who is not actively threatening the adult.
Read MoreKolsrud Law Offices Welcomes Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Sandra Schutz To Its Team
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PHOENIX, AZ – Kolsrud Law Offices, a premier Phoenix law firm specializing in Federal Criminal Law Defense, is delighted to announce the addition of Attorney Sandra Schutz to our defense team. Sandra Schutz, an accomplished attorney and former Deputy Public Defender of Maricopa County, has joined Kolsrud Law Offices, bringing…
Read MoreDefense Gamesmanship: Josh Kolsrud Breaks Down the Banfield Trial Strategy
Criminal defense attorney Josh Kolsrud says he’s “floored” — but not by the evidence. In his view, the defense team’s recent moves are pure gamesmanship. Josh suggests the strategy is designed to distract prosecutors heading into a critical preparation weekend, forcing them to worry about cross-examination instead of tightening their closing arguments. He notes that Brendan Banfield himself appeared surprised by his attorneys’ statements, reinforcing Josh’s belief that this is a tactical play rather than a sign Banfield will testify. In fact, Josh predicts flatly: Banfield likely won’t take the stand.
Read MoreJosh Kolsrud Breaks Down the Restelli Conspiracy Trial On Court TV
Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud questioned the prosecution’s strategy of calling this particular family witness so early in the trial. He explained that jurors tend to remember testimony presented first and last, and this witness, in Josh’s view, did not strongly support the state’s theory of manipulation or direct responsibility for the killing. Instead, the testimony introduced subtle references to the victim’s drinking and temperament—details prosecutors usually try to avoid because they can unintentionally humanize the defense’s self-defense narrative.
Read MoreFrom Courtroom Strategist To Community Leader: Why Joshua Kolsrud Is A Trendsetter In Arizona
In Trendsetters AZ Foothills magazine, Joshua Kolsrud is spotlighted not just as the Founder of Kolsrud Law Offices, but as a modern legal advocate whose personal philosophy fuels his professional success. Known for his sharp advocacy and unwavering commitment to justice, Kolsrud’s story combines deep legal expertise with genuine human insight.
Read More“A Defense That Fell Apart”: Josh Kolsrud On The Fire Chief Kevin West Murder Trial
Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud said he was “flabbergasted” by the defense strategy used in the trial of fire chief Kevin West, who is accused of strangling his wife, Marcelle “Marcy” West. According to Kolsrud, the claim that Marcy West died from a seizure caused by a massage was not just unusual, but fundamentally flawed. As a trial lawyer who regularly handles homicide cases, he described the theory as a risky all-or-nothing approach that placed the entire defense on a medical explanation that was highly vulnerable to expert testimony.
Read More“Justice Vs. Age”: Josh Kolsrud Analyzes Derek Rosa’s Guilty Plea And Sentence
Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud described the Derek Rosa case as one of the most challenging situations the justice system can face, stressing that age alone cannot outweigh the severity of the crime. He noted that stabbing one’s mother 40 times while she slept is an “adult act” that demands real accountability. In Kolsrud’s view, society cannot simply excuse conduct of this magnitude, even when the defendant is only 13 years old at the time of the offense.
Read MoreHomewrecker Law Rare but Real: Josh Kolsrud Breaks Down the Lawsuit Against Kyrsten Sinema
Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud explained that the lawsuit against former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema is based on North Carolina’s alienation of affection, or “homewrecker,” law—an unusual statute that most states abolished long ago. He noted that these laws trace back to English common law, when marriage was viewed as more than a personal relationship and was tied to social standing and property rights. While largely outdated elsewhere, Kolsrud emphasized that the law remains valid and enforceable in North Carolina.
Read MoreWhy Prison Time Was Inevitable: Josh Kolsrud Explains the April McLaughlin Sentence
Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud explained that while the animal abuse allegations sparked public outrage, the length of April McLoughlin’s prison sentence was largely unavoidable because of her financial crimes. He noted that McLoughlin was convicted of multiple felonies committed on different dates, a legal circumstance that requires a judge to impose a prison sentence under Arizona law. According to Kolsrud, animal cruelty charges by themselves generally carry far lighter penalties and would not typically result in years behind bars.
Read MoreCircumstantial Case, High Stakes: Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Breaks Down the Michael Abadi Murder Charges
According to Kolsrud, investigators do not have a confession, a murder weapon, or direct forensic proof tying Michael Abattii to the shooting. What they do have are travel records and timestamps allegedly showing Abattii driving from California to Pinetop and back within a 24-hour window. Kolsrud noted this timeline will be central to prosecutors attempting to establish motive, means, and opportunity—but stressed that circumstantial evidence alone still leaves significant room for doubt.
Read MoreDefense Attorney Josh Kolsrud: Prosecution’s Case Against Brendan Banfield May Be on Shaky Ground
In his recent appearance on Court TV, Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud argued that though the Brendan Banfield case is deeply disturbing—he cautions that the prosecution’s version of events should not be taken at face value. While prosecutors allege an elaborate, premeditated plot involving a fetish website and a staged attack, Kolsrud emphasizes that these are still allegations, not proven facts. He outlines three competing narratives the jury must consider: that the au pair orchestrated the events, that Banfield did, or that Banfield walked in believing his wife was under attack and reacted in the moment.
Read MoreMonique Tepe and Spencer Tepe Murders – Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Breaks Down the Evidence Trail
efense attorney Josh Kolsrud says this case immediately stands out because of what wasn’t found at the scene. He notes the lack of forced entry strongly suggests investigators will rely heavily on advanced forensic techniques rather than eyewitness accounts or obvious physical clues. Drawing a comparison to the Idaho Kohberger case, Kolsrud explains that crimes like this often hinge on digital evidence and subtle forensic trails rather than traditional break-in scenarios.
Read MoreJosh Kolsrud Breaks Down Legality Of Nicolas Maduro Capture On News 3
Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud explained that the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces, while extraordinary, is likely legal under existing U.S. precedent. He pointed to the 1989 apprehension of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, noting that American courts rejected claims of sovereign immunity in that case.
Read MoreWas Nicolas Maduro Capture Legal? Federal Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Breaks It Down With Fox 10 News
Josh Kolsrud opens by cutting straight to the point on international law, calling it largely ineffective due to the lack of any real enforcement mechanism. In his view, global politics operate less on written rules and more on power dynamics between nations. Strong countries act, weaker countries react. Because of this imbalance, Josh explains that international law is unlikely to stop or meaningfully challenge the U.S. action against Nicolas Maduro. From a practical standpoint, he believes any international legal challenge would go nowhere.
Read MoreJosh Kolsrud Weighs In On Extradition Hearing Of Murder Suspect Michael Abadi With Channel 3 News
Phoenix News 3 is tracking the case of Michael Abadi, a well-known California farmer accused of shooting and killing his wife, Kerianne, in Pinetop just before Thanksgiving. Investigators say evidence points to Abadi driving from Imperial County, California to Arizona, committing the murder, and then returning to California, where he was later arrested in El Centro. While he’s expected to be sent back to Navajo County to face murder charges, the big question right now is timing—when will he actually appear in an Arizona courtroom?
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