All that would be needed is changing:
PHP Code:
function check_fields($my_values) //this is my custom function with my array as a pass parameter. The name does not need to be the same but I'm leaving it the same for sake of simplicity
to:
PHP Code:
function check_fields(&$my_values) //this is my custom function with my array as a pass parameter. The name does not need to be the same but I'm leaving it the same for sake of simplicity
More info:
References Explained - Manual
Passing by Reference - Manual