Phoenix Attempt Defense Attorney

In Arizona you can be convicted of a crime that never happened. Under A.R.S. § 13-1001, "attempt" punishes taking a substantial step toward a crime with the intent to complete it — an attempted burglary with no entry, an attempted purchase with no drugs, an attempted assault with no contact. Attempt cases turn on intent and on where preparation ends and a "substantial step" begins, which makes them unusually defensible with the right lawyer. Our Phoenix attempt defense lawyers handle attempt charges attached to every offense we defend, in every court in Arizona.

Call Your Phoenix Attorney at 623-335-4014 for a free consultation, or learn how attempt fits within our broader Arizona criminal defense practice.

The state must prove two things: (1) you intended to commit a specific underlying offense, and (2) you took a step that strongly corroborates that intent — more than talk, more than preparation. Buying a ski mask is preparation; being caught at the window with pry marks is a substantial step. The line between the two is exactly where an experienced attempt attorney in Phoenix does the most damage to the state's case.

Attempt is frequently charged alongside related inchoate offenses. If the allegation is that you helped someone else, see our Phoenix facilitation defense page; if drugs are involved, see Phoenix drug trafficking defense.

Attempt is generally punished one class below the completed crime. Attempted Class 2 felony becomes a Class 3; attempted Class 3 becomes a Class 4; attempted Class 6 felony becomes a Class 1 misdemeanor. This classification math is why charging decisions and plea negotiations in attempt cases are so consequential — a single class can be the difference between mandatory prison, probation eligibility, or a misdemeanor record.

• Draw the line between mere preparation and a "substantial step" — the state cannot convict for planning, researching, or talking.
• Attack specific intent, which attempt always requires for the particular offense charged.
• Develop renunciation evidence where the effort was voluntarily and completely abandoned.
• Dismantle sting operations — inducement, predisposition evidence, and the reliability of recordings.
• Use the one-class reduction strategically in negotiations to protect probation eligibility.
• Prepare the case for trial from day one so the prosecutor negotiates against real risk.

Learn more about our approach on the About page, or start a free consultation now via the Contact page. For additional Arizona-specific statutes, see azleg.gov and the Arizona Judicial Branch.