Federal Law
Fake Ransom Texts, Real Federal Consequences | The Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping
Criminal defense attorney Josh Kolsrud emphasizes that allegedly sending fake ransom texts to a family searching for a missing loved one is far from a harmless prank. He explains that because the family has no way of knowing whether the threat is real, federal prosecutors treat this conduct as a serious form of harassment. According to Josh, the suspect faces two federal charges: transmitting a ransom demand in interstate commerce, which carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, and a separate interstate harassment charge that could add additional prison time
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 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 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 MoreAttorney Josh Kolsrud Analyzes the Legal Stakes in AI Teen Suicide Lawsuit
September 21, 2025 – Fox10 News Phoenix The tragic case of Adam Raine, a teenager whose parents allege that OpenAI’s ChatGPT played a direct role in his death by suicide, is spurring a nationwide discussion on the safety and liability of artificial intelligence. In light of the lawsuit filed against the creators of ChatGPT, Phoenix-based…
Read MoreCan Police Demand Your ID Without a Crime? Arizona Stop-and-Identify Laws
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to bottom A police stop can be stressful, especially if you are unsure of your legal rights. Many people do not know whether they are legally required to show ID, state their full name, or answer questions. In Arizona, the rules…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Legal Perspective: Defense Attorney Josh Kolsrud Weighs In on Los Angeles Riots
The recent wave of unrest and riots in Los Angeles has captured the attention of the nation. Fires, property destruction, and clashes have left many asking how events spiraled out of control and what the legal ramifications might be. In a recent interview on Fox 10 Talks, defense attorney Josh Kolsrud, known for his legal acumen in the Valley and beyond, offered insightful commentary on the unfolding situation.
Read MoreTraveling with Marijuana to Arizona from a Different State
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to bottom Arizona has legalized recreational marijuana for adults under state law, but that doesn’t mean you can bring cannabis across state lines without consequences. Many people misunderstand what Arizona’s legalization covers and how it interacts with federal law and interstate…
Read MoreWho’s Really in Charge? Legal Expert Josh Kolsrud Explains the Constitutional Showdown Amid Los Angeles Riots
As protests rage across Los Angeles and the eyes of the country turn to California, the question of “Who’s in charge?” is as complicated as ever. Defense attorney Josh Kolsrud, a frequent Fox 10 News guest and noted legal analyst, recently joined the morning show to provide his expert perspective on the evolving legal standoff between California state officials and the federal government.
Read MoreCharged with Bank Robbery if You Didn’t Enter the Bank?
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to bottom Bank robbery is often portrayed as a crime committed by masked individuals storming into a bank, demanding cash at gunpoint. But in reality, you can be charged with bank robbery without ever stepping foot inside the bank. …
Read MoreAncestry.com DNA, Criminal Charges and Cold Cases
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to bottom The rise of consumer DNA testing services like Ancestry.com and 23andMe has changed the way millions of people explore their heritage. But beyond discovering long-lost relatives and ethnic origins, these genetic databases are now playing a role in solving…
Read MoreFederal Court Blocks Trump’s Tariffs: Key Takeaways from Attorney Josh Kolsrud’s Legal Analysis
A recent federal court ruling has put the brakes on key elements of former President Trump’s sweeping tariff policies, creating headline-making implications for U.S. trade policy and the very limits of presidential power. On Fox10 Arizona Family News, former federal prosecutor and current defense attorney Josh Kolsrud broke down the legal significance of the court’s decision and what it could mean for the future of trade and emergency powers in the United States.
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