Posts by Kolsrud Law
Criminal Defense Against Drug Charges Near a School Zone in Arizona
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to bottom If you were arrested for a drug charge near a school zone in Arizona, you’re likely staring at steeper penalties than the same offense elsewhere. Arizona law adds extra prison time, mandatory fines, and strict limits on probation when…
Read MoreDiversion Programs Offered in Arizona
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to bottom This article discusses the following: How Arizona Misdemeanor Diversion Programs Work Who Can Participate in a Diversion Program Diversion Program Requirements and Costs Felony Diversion Program (formerly Drug Diversion and Felony Pretrial Intervention Program) Domestic Violence Excessive Response Diversion…
Read MoreRomeo and Juliet Law in Arizona
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to bottom This article discusses the following: What is the Romeo and Juliet Law? How does the Romeo and Juliet law fit into Arizona’s statutory rape laws? What is Arizona’s Mistake of Age Law, and How Does It Differ from Romeo…
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 MoreCyberbullying and Cyberstalking Laws in Arizona and Penalties
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to bottom Cyberstalking and cyberbullying have become increasingly common issues as more of our lives shift online. When online behavior crosses the line into threats, harassment, or a course of conduct meant to intimidate or harm someone, Arizona law treats these…
Read MoreDelays in the Cudjoe Young Murder Case | Criminal Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Weighs in on 12News
October 16, 2025 -12 News Phoenix The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Cudjoe Young have attracted significant public attention. Young is currently facing both first-degree murder and kidnapping charges in connection to the killing of Mercedes Vega, alongside an earlier charge for armed robbery involving Vega and several other dancers in Phoenix. Notably, Young’s trials have…
Read MorePolice Helicopter Crash Fallout: Could Felony Murder Apply?
Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud explains that felony murder doesn’t require intent to kill — only that a death is a foreseeable result of committing a dangerous felony. In this case, he notes that if investigators determine the suspect was firing at the police helicopter, or even exchanging gunfire with officers while the helicopter was actively involved in the pursuit, felony murder charges could apply.
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 MoreDoes a Fake ID Charge Go on Your Permanent Record?
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to bottom Using a fake ID might seem like a harmless decision, especially for college students hoping to get into a bar or buy alcohol. But in Arizona, possessing or using a fake identification card is a criminal offense. Whether you’re…
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 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 MoreTikTok Settlement Signals Trouble for Big Tech, Says Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud
In his Phoenix Fox 10 Talks appearance, defense attorney Josh Kolsrud frames the TikTok social media addiction settlement as part of a much larger legal pattern—one that closely mirrors the historic lawsuits against Big Tobacco. Josh explains that the core legal question isn’t simply about overuse or personal responsibility, but about what these companies knew, when they knew it, and whether they adequately warned young users about potential harm.
Read MoreWhen the First Amendment Collides With Itself: Josh Kolsrud on Don Lemon’s Federal Arrest
In his Phoenix Fox 10 Talks appearance, defense attorney Josh Kolsrud breaks down what he calls a fascinating constitutional clash: the First Amendment battling itself. On one side—freedom of speech and the press. On the other—freedom of religion and the right to worship without obstruction. Kolsrud explains that federal laws like the FACE Act and the Ku Klux Klan Act specifically prohibit interfering with religious services. The legal turning point, he says, isn’t that Don Lemon entered a church—but whether Lemon crossed the line from journalist to participant by facilitating, directing, or obstructing the protest inside.
Read MorePhoenix 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 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.
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