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Police 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 MoreFake 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 MoreArizona Criminal Damage Charges for Graffiti: Defenses and Penalties Breakdown
Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to top Row edge-slant Shape Decorative svg added to bottom Graffiti accusations may seem minor at first, but Arizona treats these cases seriously under ARS 13-1602, especially when the value of the damage or the location increases the severity of the offense. A criminal damage charge can affect your…
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 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 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 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.
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