Call Us Now
e-Mail Us Now
Assault Attorney in Mesa, AZ
Dedicated Criminal Defense Lawyers Helping Clients Maintain Control of Their Lives
The criminal justice system has various categorizations for different crimes. Among the most important distinctions is the difference between property and violent crimes. If you’re charged with assault in Arizona, the government has a distinct advantage over you. They essentially control the legal process, and this can make it very difficult to avoid conviction for violent criminal charges. Fortunately, you don’t have to take on the system alone. A Mesa assault lawyer may be able to help you secure a favorable outcome and avoid the penalties that come with being convicted.
At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, you’ll work directly with a criminal defense lawyer who has many years of experience fighting for the rights of the accused. When you choose to work with our law firm, we’ll be with you from the moment you hire us all the way to sentencing and beyond. Our Mesa criminal defense attorneys provide an aggressive defense focused on securing charge dismissal or acquittal at trial. However, we understand that you have a unique case — and this means a unique approach is required to secure a favorable outcome on your behalf.
If you’re charged with the misdemeanor or felony criminal offense of assault, contact our law firm today to schedule your confidential consultation.
What Are the Basics of Assault Charges in Arizona?
If you’re being prosecuted for assault in Arizona, there are a few things that police and prosecutors must prove to secure a conviction. First, they must show that the elements of the crime have been met. This means that a person either a) “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly caused another person physical harm, b) intentionally caused another person to have a “reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury,” or c) knowingly touched another individual intending to “injure, insult, or provoke” them.
The future of a person convicted of assault will heavily depend on how the crime is charged. That’s because there’s a significant difference between simple assault and aggravated assault. The most important distinction is that the former is a misdemeanor; the latter is a felony. Misdemeanor and felony assault have varying classifications. The most serious classification for a misdemeanor may result in six months of jail time, but the most serious felony convictions can lead to over 20 years in prison.
Clearly, potential penalties are extreme. To ensure you receive fair treatment in the system, make sure you remain silent and contact a Mesa assault lawyer immediately.
Why Should You Hire a Criminal Defense Law Firm?
If you speak with an experienced Mesa criminal defense lawyer — or even former prosecutors with the Mesa Municipal Court — they’ll tell you just how important it is to have legal counsel. More importantly, they’ll explain that it’s best to opt for a private practice law firm rather than a public defender. Statistics show that, on average, public defenders have caseloads that are three times higher than recommended. Even worse, Texas will try to use the process of recoupment to force you into paying for your “state-provided” defense attorney. This means most people won’t save money with a public defender.
Still, hiring an experienced Mesa assault attorney is likely in your best interest. The professionals at a criminal defense law firm can review your case, identify weaknesses in the state’s case against you, negotiate plea deals when an exoneration isn’t likely, and argue your case before a jury to secure a verdict of not guilty on your behalf. If you’re arrested for assault, make sure you remain calm and avoid speaking to anyone — particularly the police — about the charges against you. At The Turner Law Firm, we’ll work diligently to secure the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Why Does the Criminal Justice System Encourage Pleas? Should You Take One?
Did you know that the overwhelming amount of criminal charges in America are resolved with plea deals? This means that most individuals convicted of assault in our country never even went to trial. This is a unique feature of our criminal justice system, and plea deals ensure things keep moving smoothly. If every defendant in America suddenly exercised their right to a trial, the entire system would come to a halt. It’s simply not equipped for it. This is why prosecutors will do everything in their power to secure a plea deal rather than going to trial.
Unfortunately, this leads to some questionable tactics on the part of the government. Typically, prosecutors will overcharge a defendant in order to use reduced charges as a bargaining chip. For instance, it’s not uncommon to see someone charged with aggravated assault — even if their alleged use of a weapon or dangerous instrument is questionable. The prosecutor will dangle a lowered presumptive sentence in front of the charged individual and assure them that accepting a deal is in their best interest. Unfortunately, this often is not true.
While a plea deal might be appropriate in some cases, it’s best to let a Mesa assault attorney handle negotiations on your behalf. They may be able to secure a better outcome — up to and including charge dismissal. Contact The Turner Law Firm today to learn how we can help.
What Assault Defense Strategies Will a Mesa Criminal Defense Lawyer Use?
When someone is facing criminal charges for assault, there will be times when a plea deal is in their best interest. However, the simple fact is that the government tends to abuse this power. Our Mesa assault lawyers have seen criminal cases where naive defendants accept insanely one-sided plea deals — often at the urging of their overworked and underpaid public defender. Fortunately, plea negotiations are not your only option. If you have experienced legal representation on your side, they’ve likely utilized many of the following common defense strategies against assault charges in Arizona:
- Self-defense or defense of others
- Mistaken identity
- Constitutional violations
- Lack of intent
- Lack of evidence
- No probable cause for arrest
- False allegations (often used as revenge or in child custody cases)
- Lack of imminent threat
- Content of the alleged victim
- Involuntary intoxication
- Elements of the crime not proven
- “Stand Your Ground” defense
It’s imperative to remember that the most effective defense strategy will depend entirely upon the circumstances of your case. These strategies are not one-size-fits-all; you cannot simply interchange them until one works. If you present an irrelevant defense at trial, it will damage the court’s perception of your truthfulness. Even worse, the consequences you’ll face will likely increase — as the prosecutors will likely seek maximum potential penalties because you refused to accept a plea deal. This is why you should always work with an assault lawyer in Mesa, AZ.
At The Turner Law Firm, we’ll provide you with a strong defense focused on helping you keep your life on track. This may mean seeking reduced charges in some instances, but it’s also often possible to secure dismissal. Let our dedicated team of Mesa criminal defense attorneys review your case and help you understand how to move forward.
Contact an Assault Lawyer in Mesa Today
Misdemeanor and felony convictions for assault certainly carry vastly different consequences when it comes to penalties. However, the potential consequences of a criminal record are often the same in both situations. Even after a person has “served their time” or “repaid their debt” to society, they may experience difficulty securing housing, gainful employment, academic admission, and even a romantic life once people start looking up their name in search engines. The reality is that an assault conviction can follow you for your entire life, but it doesn’t have to.
At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, we’re ready to start working for you from the moment you’re placed under arrest. We won’t take the government at its word that they’ve done everything “by the book,” and we certainly won’t trust their assertion of your guilt. We’ll conduct our own meticulous investigation to identify problems with the government’s allegations and pinpoint the ideal legal defense strategies that are most likely to secure a favorable outcome in your case. You have constitutional rights — including the right to due process — and our Mesa assault lawyers will fight to protect them.
Contact us at (623) 253-8718 today to schedule your in-depth case review. Trust us to handle your case with dedication and staunch advocacy, because when our clients are facing criminal charges, that’s when we rise to the challenge and fight hardest for justice.