Felony Defense Attorney in Mesa, AZ

Trial Attorneys Who Will Fight for Your Freedom Until the Very End

The criminal justice system is fairly complex, and most crimes fall into a multitude of categories. An offense could qualify as a property crime or a violent crime. It could qualify as a variety of degrees (e.g., first-degree vs second-degree murder). An illegal act could even be classified as an infraction or delinquent act rather than a crime. However, the most consequential categories are misdemeanors and felonies. The latter of these two can result in life-altering penalties. This is why anyone facing these charges needs to speak to a felony defense lawyer in Mesa, AZ.

At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, our dedicated criminal law attorneys know what you’re up against. In our years of providing legal representation to those in our community, we’ve frequently seen individuals charged with serious crimes getting railroaded by the system. Often, a defendant will sit by their court-appointed public defender — completely oblivious to the fact that these attorneys have caseloads that are three times larger than recommended. The reality is that anyone facing felony criminal charges has a lot at stake, so they should never trust their future to an overworked public servant.

Our law firm is here and ready to help. Contact us today to discuss your case with an experienced Mesa criminal defense lawyer.

What Are Felony Charges, and Are They Overused?

When you visit a criminal defense law firm, the first thing an attorney will do is review the government’s case against you. Those who are facing felony criminal charges are up against the most serious consequences possible. Put simply, a felony is the worst category of crime you could be charged with. In misdemeanor cases, the maximum incarceration term that a person could face is up to one year. This limit does not exist for felony convictions in the criminal justice system. While each crime has minimal and maximum sentencing guidelines, they can all result in more than a year behind bars.

There are a variety of felony offenses that the government can charge a person with. Some of these can have life imprisonment as a minimum sentence:

Homicides (e.g., murder and manslaughter)
Aggravated assault
Kidnapping
Sexual assault
Child abuse
Domestic violence (can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony)
Burglary
Arson
Robbery
Possession of dangerous drugs
Drug trafficking
Identity theft
Money laundering
Weapons offenses
Perjury
Bribery
Aggravating circumstances under state DUI laws

While this list might seem extensive, it’s far from exhaustive. It only showcases the wide variety of crimes that qualify as felony offenses within the criminal justice process. Unfortunately, charging prosecutors frequently overuse such crimes. Even if a defendant has not committed a felony criminal offense, the government may try to charge them with one in order to use reduced charges as a bargaining chip during plea negotiations. When people are offered the opportunity to walk away with a misdemeanor instead of a felony on their criminal records, it’s no wonder why they might oblige.

Unfortunately, this is often a bad decision. Instead, you should start by discussing your case with a knowledgeable felony defense lawyer in Mesa, AZ.

What Are the Consequences of Felony Convictions?

In addition to crimes that are always charged as felonies, there are also offenses known as “wobblers.” This means they can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances of the case. Regardless of the underlying crime, the potential for serious consequences greatly increases once the prosecutor charges the defendant with a felony. Your Mesa criminal defense attorney can go over the specifics of your case, including the penalties you may face if convicted. Unfortunately, the negative outcomes you could encounter don’t only exist in the criminal justice system.

Consider the following:

Criminal penalties: Often the most serious outcome, defendants can face from one year to life in prison, substantial fines, restitution, and more
Civil consequences: Both minor and serious felonies can result in the loss of voting rights, ineligibility for jury duty, and the loss of firearm rights
Employment challenges: When criminal cases result in felony convictions, defendants will typically have difficulty securing employment. They may also be disqualified from obtaining certain professional licenses
Housing and financial consequences: Those convicted of felonies can have trouble renting or buying properties, and they may lose any form of public assistance
Immigration issues: A felony conviction can also result in deportation, removal, or denial of citizenship
Future legal issues: A felony conviction typically means future offenses will have enhanced penalties
Social stigma: The increasing popularity of “mugshot tabloids” means your entire community could find out about your legal troubles
Personal relationships: It’s not uncommon for personal relationships to be ruined after felony convictions. Potential romantic partners may also find out about your past online

A skilled criminal defense attorney will be able to explain these and the many other consequences of being convicted of felony offenses. Unfortunately, such an outcome can affect every aspect of your life — and that’s why you need an aggressive criminal defense when facing off against the government. At The Turner Law Firm, we know what’s at stake for you. We’ve practiced criminal law in our local community for years, and we’ve built the relationships, knowledge, and experience necessary to effectively navigate the system.

Let us put our experience to work for you. Contact us today to discuss your case with a dedicated felony defense lawyer in Mesa, AZ.

What Should You Do if Arrested for a Felony in Arizona?

People find themselves caught up in the criminal justice system in a variety of ways. At times, police may invite them to the precinct for an “interview” that’s really an interrogation. It may also be the case that officers are watching someone’s home, waiting for them to make a mistake. Then there are individuals who are going about their day and suddenly see flashing blue lights in the rear-view mirror. Regardless of how you find out that you’ll be facing criminal charges, there are certain steps you can take to help yourself going forward.

These steps include:

Hire an attorney: From the moment you know you’re being investigated by police, it’s critical to have a skilled legal professional on your side
Do not voluntarily provide evidence: Police will try to forego evidentiary requirements by asking you to voluntarily hand over evidence. Don’t do this
Limit communication: Do not discuss the case with anyone — including family, friends, or cellmates — other than your attorney
Stay calm and comply: There’s no need to resist or argue with police during an arrest. This will only make things worse
Remain silent: It’s not just something you see on television. You always have the right to remain silent
Don’t consent to searches: Tell police you do not consent to any search
Remember the details: Take note of the circumstances of your arrest, including officer behavior and potential violations of your rights
Understand the charges against you: Once booked, make sure you take note of the charges against you
Do not negotiate: Prosecutors may try to negotiate a plea deal with you. Politely decline, plead not guilty when asked, and let your attorney handle this
Follow legal advice: Always listen to your attorney’s advice. They have your best interests in mind
Comply with release conditions: If you’re let out on bail or released, make sure you abide by court-ordered conditions

Jail time is certainly no fun, but being held in prison is something entirely different. This is where some of the most hardened criminals in the world end up, and once there, jailers find it challenging to ensure things don’t occasionally go wrong. This is why it’s so critical that every decision you make during this process is focused and calculated. A simple mistake can completely derail your ability to build an effective case. However, the biggest mistake that most people make is not hiring a Mesa felony defense lawyer. With legal representation on your side, you’ll have an advocate who can fight for your rights.

The Turner Law Firm understands what you’re going through, and we’re here to help you navigate these difficulties. Contact us today to discuss your case.

Why Is Hiring a Felony Criminal Defense Attorney Essential?

So, you’ve been arrested for a felony offense. You’ve likely been researching attorneys, and you’re wondering which law office you should visit first. Then again, maybe you’ve already decided you don’t need an attorney — and your idea of navigating the legal system is to just accept a plea deal and move on. Regardless of your current situation, the fact remains that having an attorney represent your best interests is the right decision. You don’t have to go to law school to know that you have legal rights, but without extensive legal knowledge, it’s unlikely that you’ll know how to assert these rights.

An experienced lawyer will understand the law and how it relates to your case. This means they can identify whether the allegations against you meet all the necessary elements of the crime you’re charged with. This simple reality has led to many defendants walking free after charges get dismissed. This is very common with drug offenses. An allegation of possession with intent to distribute can result in felony charges, but by proving that the relevant drugs were only for personal use, a felony defense lawyer in Mesa can show there’s no evidence to support a felony charge.

Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg. An experienced attorney can also ensure your constitutional rights are not violated, assess your case to identify the right defense, negotiate potential plea deals, minimize possible sentencing, and much more. Attorneys with extensive trial experience will also be able to do more than just negotiate a plea; they can fight for you in the court system to secure an acquittal. All they have to do is establish reasonable doubt, and at that point, a conviction would not be appropriate. Don’t take on the system alone. The Turner Law Firm has your back.

Do You Need a Mesa Criminal Defense Lawyer for a Plea Deal?

It may seem obvious that hiring a Mesa criminal defense lawyer would be critical when going to trial. However, are they just as necessary for negotiating plea deals? Is negotiation even necessary? Many people find themselves in situations where they’re charged with a felony, and the prosecutor offers to reduce charges to a misdemeanor. This sounds like an obvious win, right? Unfortunately, this is not the reality of our system. Since prosecutors often overcharge criminal cases, it may be possible that you’re charged with a crime that the government could never prove in court.

This means that any deal you make is based on false pretenses. Often, such offers are made due to uncertainty of whether a conviction can be obtained. The prosecutor wants you to accept a plea deal before hiring a felony defense lawyer in Mesa, AZ. It’s part of their strategy. It’s important to not give them what they want. An experienced attorney may review your case and immediately notice constitutional violations, and in such instances, overwhelming evidence against the defendant may be inadmissible in court. Such an outcome could devastate the government’s case.

Of course, there doesn’t need to be constitutional violations or procedural errors in order for a person to avoid a felony conviction. Your criminal defense attorney can investigate your case, present evidence that hinders the prosecution’s case, and fight to secure an outcome far more favorable than any plea deal the government might offer. At The Turner Law Firm, we have a proven track record of helping our clients beat felony charges. There will be times when a plea deal is in a defendant’s best interest, but we’ll never go this route if we believe charge dismissal or acquittal is possible.

What’s the Best Legal Defense Strategy for Felony Charges?

Our law firm has spent years defending clients charged under felony statutes. During this time, we’ve employed a great number of legal defense strategies that have been effective in helping our clients avoid convictions. For certain crimes, there are specific defenses that don’t typically apply in other cases. For instance, it’s possible to argue that a breathalyzer machine was not properly calibrated in a felony DUI case — but this defense would be irrelevant for white-collar crimes, murder cases, and other criminal allegations.

However, several legal defenses apply to all or most crimes. These include:

Lack of intent
Mistake of fact
Alibi defense
Self-defense or defense of others
Consent of the alleged victim
Defense of property
Duress or coercion
Crime of necessity
Constitutional violations
Procedural errors
Insanity defense
Involuntary intoxication
Entrapment
Statute of limitations expiration
Lack of evidence
Double jeopardy
Unintentional acts
Lack of capacity

For many people, the primary goal when charged with a felony is to avoid prison time. This is why they’ll often agree to a plea deal in order to obtain a lighter sentence. However, this decision is often misguided and unnecessary. Clearly, there are a variety of solid legal defense strategies that can result in charges being thrown out or defendants being acquitted at trial. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that these defenses are not interchangeable. One cannot simply say “I was under duress!” and secure a not-guilty verdict.

Every defense strategy must be catered to the facts of the case. At The Turner Law Firm, our dedicated team of felony defense lawyers in Mesa will review your case and determine which defenses are most appropriate in your situation. Contact us now so we can get started on your case immediately.

Contact a Felony Defense Lawyer in Mesa today

When you’re arrested in Mesa, AZ, criminal law is a complicated topic to navigate. The legal process was not meant to be easy to understand, and the average person will be at a distinct disadvantage if they choose to go up against the government in criminal courts by themselves. Even opting for a public defender can result in unfavorable outcomes, and with the practice of recoupment increasing around the country, you may end up having to pay for your “state-funded” public defender anyway. With so much at stake, it’s imperative to find a private practice law firm that can help.

At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, we are well-known and respected in the Arizona legal community. More importantly, we’re respected and appreciated by our clients. Whether you find yourself in Superior Court or Mesa Municipal Court, our legal professionals can guide you through the process and fight tirelessly on your behalf. If police come for you, make sure to remain calm and remain silent. The less you deal with government officials and employees, the better chance you’ll have at avoiding conviction. When you’re facing criminal charges, let us handle the heavy lifting.

Contact us at (623) 253-8718 to schedule your confidential case evaluation. Our Mesa felony defense lawyers are here to help.