Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney

An arizona criminal defense attorney is the single most important asset you can have between you and a prosecutor. The State of Arizona has the resources of an entire law enforcement apparatus pointed at your case. You need someone whose only job is pointing back. At Your Phoenix Attorney, criminal defense is the entire practice — not a sideline. Our criminal defense lawyers handle the full spectrum of Arizona criminal charges, from misdemeanor citations to capital felonies, in every county in the state.

Whether you are facing a first-offense DUI in Phoenix, a felony drug charge in Pima County, a federal indictment in U.S. District Court, or a post-conviction petition to undo an injustice, our criminal defense lawyer arizona team is ready to step in today. Call us at 623-335-4014 for a free, confidential consultation, 24 hours a day.

Arizona criminal defense covers every stage of the criminal process — from the moment of arrest, through grand jury, preliminary hearings, motions practice, plea negotiations, jury trial, sentencing, appeals, and post-conviction relief. The best criminal defense lawyers do not wait until trial to start fighting; we investigate from day one, file pre-indictment letters where possible, and challenge probable cause at the earliest opportunity.

Arizona criminal cases are prosecuted by county attorneys' offices (e.g., the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, the Pima County Attorney's Office) in the county superior courts, and by city prosecutors in municipal courts for misdemeanors. Federal cases are prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

Arizona sentencing is governed by Title 13 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. The state classifies offenses as Class 1 through Class 6 felonies and Class 1 through Class 3 misdemeanors. A first-offense Class 6 felony can be designated a misdemeanor at sentencing under ARS §13-604; a repeat Class 3 felony can carry a presumptive 11.25-year prison term under the historical-prior enhancements of ARS §13-703.

Felony convictions also carry severe collateral consequences: loss of voting rights, loss of firearm rights, ineligibility for many professional licenses, immigration consequences, and lifelong appearance on background checks.

• Investigate the facts independently — we do not rely on the police report.
• Identify and challenge any unconstitutional searches, stops, or interrogations.
• File motions to suppress evidence and to dismiss when the State's case is weak.
• Negotiate from a position of strength — not desperation.
• Prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because the prosecutor reads our preparation.
• Pursue post-conviction relief, appeals, set-asides, and sealing where appropriate.

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.