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Felony Attorney in Gilbert, AZ

Defending Clients from Felony Charges

If you’ve been charged with committing a felony crime in Gilbert, Arizona, your future might feel uncertain. This is because a felony conviction carries severe penalties, including prison time, fines, and the likely loss of certain civil rights, such as the right to vote. That’s why it’s crucial to hire a knowledgeable and dedicated Gilbert criminal defense attorney who understands Arizona’s legal system and will fight to protect your rights.

At The Turner Law Firm PLLC, we have a team of Gilbert criminal lawyers committed to defending Arizona residents who are facing felony charges in Gilbert and surrounding areas. Our team of experienced defense lawyers has a proven track record of achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Whether the best possible outcome for you is case dismissal, reduced criminal charges, or acquittal at trial, you can count on our Arizona lawyers to provide you with the aggressive representation you need for your case. Call our law office in Gilbert, AZ to schedule your initial consultation with a trusted criminal defense attorney.

What Does Arizona Criminal Law Consider a Felony?

In Arizona, a felony is the most serious type of criminal offense you can be charged with. This classification is usually reserved for severe crimes that seriously harm other people or heavily damage property. Some types of criminal offenses that are often charged as felonies in Arizona include:

  • Most volent crimes
  • Most sex crimes
  • Certain theft crimes
  • Severe property crimes
  • Certain drug crimes
  • Some vehicular crimes

In some instances, a specific criminal offense could be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the impact the crime had on the victim. For example, domestic violence, assault, and DUI charges could be considered felonies or misdemeanors depending on the details. Your Gilbert criminal defense attorney will tell you what type of charge you’re facing based on the circumstances of your case.

In general, a felony conviction can result in one year or more in prison, while misdemeanors are punished by up to six months in jail. This is why facing felony charges is usually more distressing than being charged with a misdemeanor, as the punishment for felonies is more severe.

If you’re worried about your criminal charges in Gilbert, AZ, it’s time to call a criminal defense lawyer for legal defense help throughout your case. You deserve to feel hopeful about your criminal defense case, and our Gilbert criminal lawyers will make this possible from our first meeting with you. Contact us today for a consultation with a compassionate criminal defense attorney serving clients in and around Gilbert, Arizona.

Are Some Types of Felony Charges in Arizona More Serious Than Others?

While all felonies are considered serious crimes, some are more severe than others since they affect victims differently. For example, violent crimes that permanently injure or kill victims tend to be punished more harshly than most theft crimes or drug crimes. This is why Arizona criminal law divides felony offenses into six classes. Classes 1 and 2 feature the most severe crimes that result in the harshest penalties. By contrast, Class 6 has the least serious felony offenses, many of which can be reduced to misdemeanors by a criminal defense attorney with skillful negotiation tactics.

Consider some examples of the crimes in each felony class, and be sure to ask your criminal defense lawyer which class your crime falls into if you’re unsure:

  • Class 1: First-degree murder and second-degree murder
  • Class 2: Manslaughter, armed robbery, sexual exploitation of a minor, and sexual assault
  • Class 3: Transportation of narcotic drugs or dangerous drugs, aggravated assault, and sexual abuse of a victim under age 15
  • Class 4: Forgery, aggravated DUI, kidnapping, and possession of dangerous drugs
  • Class 5: Theft of property valued between $2,000 and $3,000, criminal damage, and rioting
  • Class 6: Disorderly conduct, shoplifting, aggravated domestic violence, theft of property valued between $1,000 and $2,000, and possession of drug paraphernalia

No matter which class your felony charge qualifies for, you should seek legal representation from a skilled criminal defense attorney to reduce the penalties you face. If there is a chance you can avoid a felony conviction and stay out of prison, you should take it. If you’re not sure the many ways in which a seasoned criminal defense lawyer can assist with your felony case, we encourage you to call our law office in Gilbert, AZ. We’d be happy to provide you with a consultation at our criminal defense law firm so we can discuss the severity of your charges, your likely penalties if convicted, and the possible case outcomes.

What Are the Penalties for Felony Convictions in Arizona?

Every felony offense has the potential for prison time upon conviction, which is why it’s important to seek legal guidance from a criminal defense attorney before your case begins. After all, most people prefer not to spend any time in prison if possible. While some prison or jail time may be inevitable for people who are found guilty of certain crimes, having a criminal defense lawyer working hard to minimize the time spent behind bars is critical. Whether you face a few years or decades in prison for your criminal charges, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney is recommended if you want the most favorable outcome for your case.

Every criminal charge is associated with a penalty range. Your punishment could be near the minimum part of that range, right in the middle, or toward the maximum. This depends on the details of your case. If there are certain factors that make your crime less serious according to Arizona criminal law, you could get the minimum punishment for that charge. So, if this is your first offense and your criminal record is otherwise clean, you might get the minimum punishment.

By contrast, aggravating factors could make your crime more severe according to Arizona criminal law, leading to harsher penalties. For instance, if you have a long criminal history or severely injured someone when you committed the crime, the judge could hand you the maximum punishment possible for the offense.

These are the typical penalty ranges for prison time for each felony class in Arizona:

·       Class 1: 10 to 25 years for second-degree murder, and life in prison or death for first-degree murder

·       Class 2: 4 to 10 years in prison

·       Class 3: 2.5 to 7 years in prison

·       Class 4: 1.5 to 3 years in prison

·       Class 5: 9 months to 2 years in prison

·       Class 6: 6 to 18 months in prison

The penalty ranges can differ depending on the circumstances of each criminal defense case. If this is your second or third offense, your possible prison time will be longer. For example, if you have a criminal record and your case involved aggravating factors, you could spend up to 35 years in prison for a Class 2 felony or 25 years for a Class 3 offense.

A felony conviction in Gilbert, AZ will usually lead to additional penalties aside from prison. They include years of probation, community service, mandatory counseling, and fines up to $150,000. If you’re worried about being sentenced to any of these consequences, you should hire a Gilbert criminal defense attorney to work on getting the best possible outcome for your case, whether that’s case dismissal, reduced charges, or a not-guilty verdict at trial.

One difference between a misdemeanor and felony conviction is that the latter can affect your personal and professional life in many ways. After all, once you’re done paying your fines and serving your jail time for a misdemeanor, you can begin to move on with your life, with your civil rights still intact. On the other hand, having a felony on your criminal record can have lasting effects far beyond the immediate criminal consequences.

These usually include difficulty finding a job, being approved for housing, or getting professional licenses that you might need for your career. In addition, a felony conviction can lead to the loss of important rights, such as your right to run for political office, vote, buy a gun, or serve on a jury. If you’re concerned about these serious consequences of a felony conviction, you should hire a Gilbert, AZ criminal defense attorney who will work tirelessly to get your criminal charges dropped or reduced so you don’t have to deal with these lasting effects. Call our law office in Gilbert, AZ today to speak with a criminal defense lawyer you can trust to handle your criminal defense case.

What Defense Angles Can Gilbert Criminal Lawyers Use to Defend Clients?

Arizona’s laws regarding felonies are strict and carry harsh penalties. This is why it’s so essential to fight your criminal charges for a chance to avoid conviction. Fortunately, an experienced felony defense lawyer in Gilbert, AZ should have in-depth knowledge of a wide variety of criminal defense strategies that they can tailor to your case. The following are some key criminal defense angles commonly used for Arizona felony criminal charges:

  • Lack of evidence: One of the most effective defenses in any Arizona criminal case is to challenge the reliability of the evidence presented by the prosecutors, making it difficult for them to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. To do this, your Gilbert criminal defense lawyer may question the credibility of witnesses, highlight inconsistencies in their testimonies, or point out any gaps in the physical evidence presented. Your lawyer can also present forensic evidence and expert witness testimony to the court to bolster your criminal defense case
  • Self-defense or defense of others: If you’re accused of committing violent crimes, such as aggravated assault or murder, your lawyer can argue that you acted in self-defense or in defense of another person. Arizona criminal law allows you to use reasonable force to protect yourself or others from harm, so your criminal defense lawyer might focus on proving that you believed you were in imminent danger and your response was proportionate to the threat
  • Mistaken identity: If a witness says they saw you commit a serious crime, your Gilbert criminal defense attorney can fight this claim by presenting evidence. This could include a reliable alibi witness, video footage, photos, or other documentation that proves you were not at or near the scene of the crime when the offense occurred.
  • Entrapment: If you believe you were heavily coerced or pressured by the police to commit a crime that you normally would not commit, your criminal defense attorney can use entrapment as a defense angle. Evidence of this could include emails, text messages, or other communications you might have unknowingly had with the police as they attempted to coerce you into going through with the offense, such as buying or selling drugs
  • Consent: Some actions are only crimes when the alleged victim did not consent. Theft and sexual assault are some examples of such actions. If you can prove that the victim did consent, such as through text or email, your Gilbert criminal defense lawyer can work toward case dismissal with this defense strategy
  • Lack of intent: Some felony charges require the prosecutors to prove that you intentionally committed the crime. Your Gilbert criminal defense lawyer can refute this element of your case by showing that you did not have the mental state to intentionally commit the crime. This may be due to a mental health issue, impairment due to drugs or alcohol, or a misunderstanding
  • Procedural errors during the criminal defense case: Prosecutors and members of the Gilbert Police Department are expected to follow certain rules regarding criminal cases in Arizona. If they fail to do so – such as by improperly collecting or handling evidence – a skilled criminal defense attorney might file a motion for case dismissal

Your Gilbert criminal defense attorney will likely consider these and other defense strategies while preparing your case for the local criminal courts. If none of these options are likely to be effective for your criminal case, your lawyer might begin working on a plea deal so you don’t have to go to trial for your felony charge. In most cases, a plea deal will allow you to get reduced charges and penalties in exchange for a guilty plea. You can get an idea of the defense strategy that might work best for your case when you get a criminal attorney consultation at a Gilbert, AZ criminal defense law firm. Call us today to get started on your case.

Why Should You Hire a Gilbert Felony Defense Lawyer?

The right Gilbert criminal defense lawyer for your case will provide you with peace of mind while working hard to get you the best outcome. Whether you’re facing drug charges, aggravated DUI charges, domestic violence charges, or other serious allegations, you deserve to work with a criminal defense law firm that is committed to resolving your case as favorably as possible. You can expect this and more when you contact The Turner Law Firm PLLC for criminal defense representation.

We have years of experience handling criminal and DUI cases at all the local criminal courts, including the Gilbert Municipal Court, Highland Justice Court, and the Maricopa County Superior Court. So, no matter which court handles your Gilbert, AZ case, our criminal law firm can confidently fight for you whether your case settles out of court or goes to trial. If you’re ready to get aggressive representation from a trusted criminal defense law firm, call our Gilbert, AZ law office today at 480-568-5590.