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Misdemeanor Attorney in Gilbert, AZ

Fighting Criminal Charges on Behalf of Clients

If you were charged with a misdemeanor in Gilbert, Arizona, you should reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. While a misdemeanor might not be the most serious criminal charge you could face in this state, it’s important to take it seriously since jail time is a very common consequence of this type of criminal offense. This means you’ll want to do what it takes to avoid being convicted in one of Arizona’s criminal courts, and hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney in Gilbert is the first step toward this possible outcome.

The trusted criminal defense attorneys at The Turner Law Firm PLLC have successfully defended countless clients facing a variety of serious criminal charges, from domestic violence accusations to drug charges. Regardless of the specific criminal defense matters you’re struggling with, our Gilbert criminal lawyers are here to achieve the best possible results for your criminal case. If you’re worried about how your charges will affect your future, call our Gilbert, Arizona law office for legal representation from a skilled criminal defense attorney.

How Does Arizona Criminal Law Define a Misdemeanor?

Before your criminal defense case begins, it’s important to understand what led to your criminal charges and how they compare to other charges in Arizona. Criminal law in this state defines a misdemeanor as a criminal offense that can get you up to six months of jail time if you’re convicted. Compare this to felony charges, which can lead to one year or more in an Arizona state prison, as well as other penalties.

While your misdemeanor charge won’t get you prison time, it can still have a major impact on your life, since spending months in jail and paying fines can complicate your situation. If you would struggle to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines and could not get weeks or months off work to serve your jail sentence, it’s important to get criminal defense assistance from a misdemeanor lawyer in Gilbert, AZ. They can create a solid criminal defense strategy that gives you the best chance of reducing or avoiding harsh penalties.

The following are criminal offenses that are typically charged as misdemeanors in Arizona:

  • Simple assault
  • Drug possession
  • DUI
  • Domestic violence
  • Drug paraphernalia
  • Underage drinking
  • Theft of property valued under $1,000
  • Vandalism
  • Criminal damage
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Reckless driving
  • Perjury
  • Indecent exposure
  • Trespassing
  • Public intoxication

These are only some examples of the most common misdemeanor criminal offenses you could be charged with in Gilbert, Arizona. If you’ve been accused of any of these sex crimes, property offenses, vehicular crimes, drug crimes, or other criminal actions, it’s time to call a criminal defense attorney in Gilbert.

It’s best to get legal representation from criminal defense lawyers who have been serving clients in Gilbert, Arizona and beyond for years. After all, the most effective lawyers are very familiar with the Arizona criminal courts and the judges and prosecutors who work there. Our Gilbert criminal defense law firm has been offering legal services to clients in this area for years, so we have experience handling DUI cases and other criminal defense cases at the Maricopa County Superior Court, Highland Justice Court, and the Gilbert Municipal Court. If you’re ready to discuss your legal needs with a seasoned criminal defense attorney in Gilbert, AZ, call our law office today for a consultation.

What Are the Most Common Misdemeanor Penalties in Arizona

If you’re convicted of a misdemeanor in Arizona, you might face some serious consequences that could affect you for months or even years. This depends on the severity of your crime and your existing criminal record, as Arizona criminal law categorizes misdemeanor offenses into three classes. Each class has its own penalties. Your Gilbert criminal defense attorney can clarify for you which class your alleged crime falls into. As you wait to discuss your criminal case with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Gilbert, you should become familiar with which crimes qualify for each class and what their typical penalties include.

Class 1 Misdemeanor Crimes

This category contains the most severe misdemeanors you can be charged with in Arizona. The most common penalties for Class 1 misdemeanor offenses include:

  • Up to 6 months of jail time
  • Up to 3 years of probation
  • Up to $2,500 in fines

You could also face consequences specific to your offense. For example, vehicular crimes might result in driver’s license suspension, and theft crimes usually require restitution as part of the punishment.

Some examples of Class 1 misdemeanor crimes in Gilbert, AZ include:

  • Domestic violence
  • Shoplifting
  • Criminal damage
  • DUI
  • Resisting arrest
  • Drug paraphernalia
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Driving on a suspended license

If you were accused of committing one or more of these criminal offenses, contact a Gilbert criminal defense attorney for guidance through the legal process. The attorneys at our criminal defense firm are eager to help clients like you avoid harsh penalties for drug charges, DUI charges, and other offenses.

Class 2 Misdemeanor Crimes

The next most serious category of misdemeanor crimes in Arizona is Class 2. The most common penalties for these crimes include:

  • Up to 4 months of jail time
  • Up to 2 years of probation
  • Up to $750 in fines

You could also face serious consequences that are unique to the crime. For example, DUI charges and drug crimes could require you to undergo alcohol and drug addiction counseling. Domestic violence offenses could lead to the victims bringing restraining orders against you, as well as a requirement to take anger management courses.

Some examples of Class 2 misdemeanors include:

  • Reckless driving
  • Public nuisance
  • Some domestic violence offenses
  • Criminal speedning
  • Criminal damage of less than $250
  • Contempt of court
  • Leaving the scene of a car accident

If you want to know if your charge is a Class 2 misdemeanor and what penalties to expect if convicted, you should talk to a Gilbert criminal defense lawyer about your legal defense needs. Call our criminal defense firm today to get some peace of mind regarding your criminal case.

Class 3 Misdemeanor Crimes

The least severe charges are in this class, but it’s still essential to get legal help from a criminal defense attorney so you can avoid being sentenced to weeks in jail, probation, and other penalties. More specifically, the consequences of a Class 3 misdemeanor conviction include:

  • Up to 30 days of jail
  • Up to 1 year of probation
  • Up to $500 in fines

Other possible penalties include mandatory counseling, community service, driver’s license suspension, and traffic school, depending on the type of crime you’re convicted of.

The most common Class 3 offenses include:

  • Criminal trespassing
  • Excessive speeding
  • Assaultive touching
  • Loitering
  • Criminal nuisance
  • Public intoxication

If you were arrested or cited for these or similar offenses, you should call a Gilbert criminal defense attorney immediately. During your initial consultation, your Arizona criminal defense lawyer will listen to your account of what occurred before considering criminal defense strategies that could work for your case. Call our Gilbert criminal defense team today to get started.

How Can a Gilbert Criminal Defense Lawyer Defend You from Serious Charges?

An experienced criminal defense attorney has the legal defense knowledge necessary to formulate the most effective strategy for a favorable outcome on your criminal case. Once they’re aware of all the details of your situation, they will determine which criminal defense angle makes the most sense to pursue in court.

For example, your criminal defense attorney will likely look for evidence that proves you did not commit the crime you were charged with. This might require them to gather photos, video footage, medical records, receipts, witness testimony and other documentation that supports your case. Your attorney will also work to refute the prosecutor’s evidence that you committed the crime, making it difficult for them to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you’re guilty.

Gilbert criminal lawyers sometimes focus on proving that the police violated your constitutional rights during the arrest. If they did not read you the Miranda rights or tried to deny you the right to remain silent to avoid self-incrimination, your legal rights were violated and your attorney could ask for case dismissal as a result. Of course, this requires your Gilbert criminal defense lawyer to find evidence that your rights were ignored when you were arrested for alleged drug crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, or other criminal offenses in Arizona.

Depending on the details of the criminal case, your criminal defense lawyer might decide none of the usual defense strategies would be effective, so it would be best for you to take a plea deal to avoid trial. This typically requires you to enter a guilty plea, though your attorney will likely negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the severity of your charges. This will lead to reduced short and long-term consequences for you, such as less time in jail or even the chance to avoid jail altogether.

If this is your first offense, your criminal defense lawyer may be able to negotiate an alternative sentence to keep you out of jail. They might ask for probation, which is a period of time during which you must avoid being arrested again and fulfill the terms of your probation agreement, such as drug testing or paying restitution. If you end up arrested for another criminal offense during your probation period, or if you do not fulfill the terms you agreed to, you could be sent to jail.

Your Gilbert criminal defense lawyer might also ask the judge to give you house arrest, community service, or other penalties instead of jail. So, if you don’t want to spend even one day in jail for a drug crime, DUI, or other misdemeanor offense in Arizona, you should talk to a defense attorney in Gilbert about your sentencing options. You might be surprised to learn there are many ways to maintain your freedom, as long as you’re willing to accept alternative punishment options and stay out of legal trouble in the future. Call our Gilbert, AZ criminal defense law office today to begin your case.

What Should You Do If You’re Arrested in Arizona?

Being arrested for allegedly committing a crime can be scary, but it doesn’t mean you have to lose hope. Instead of panicking, try to focus on what you can control regarding your case, including how you react and who you call after your arrest. Following these steps can give you the best chance of protecting your rights.

  • Remain calm: Do not try to resist arrest or argue with the police officers, as doing so can escalate the situation and lead to additional criminal charges. Instead, cooperate respectfully, since your behavior during the arrest can affect your case later
  • Use your right to remain silent: You should politely inform the arresting officers that you are using your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Avoid providing any information beyond your name and address until you’ve consulted an attorney, since anything you say can be used against you
  • Schedule a consultation with an attorney: As soon as possible, you should call a lawyer to help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights during your case. If you don’t have a lawyer yet, you should research local attorneys with proven results for Arizona clients and schedule a consultation with at least one of them
  • Follow your lawyer’s advice: Once you hire a defense attorney in Gilbert, they will begin advising you on what steps to take during the legal process. Be sure to follow their advice for best results, especially if they’re negotiated a plea deal that requires you to fulfill certain terms to avoid jail

To learn more about what to do after your arrest in Gilbert, AZ, call our criminal law firm to schedule a criminal attorney consultation. Our attorneys would be happy to help you get the best possible results on your criminal case.

Are You Ready to Contact a Misdemeanor Attorney in Gilbert, AZ?

If you’re worried about how your charges will affect your future, it’s time to call our criminal law office for legal representation. Our criminal defense lawyers understand how stressful it is to face criminal charges in Arizona, whether they’re misdemeanor or felony charges. This is especially the case when costly fines and jail or prison time could be in your future, potentially harming your career and personal relationships in the long run.

We know that being accused of violent crimes, sex crimes, theft offenses, and other types of criminal conduct can be life-altering. However, you can rest assured our defense lawyers are ready to provide the aggressive representation necessary to minimize the impact of your charges on your future. You can trust us to use our criminal law education and experience to your benefit while providing you with support and answers to your questions.

When you hire The Turner Law Firm PLLC, you’ll meet with attorneys who are known for their years of legal experience, access to extensive resources, and impressive knowledge of criminal law in Arizona. Whether your goal is case dismissal, a not-guilty outcome, or reduced charges in exchange for a guilty plea, we can assist you. Our attorneys have been practicing criminal defense law in Arizona for years and know the importance of offering personal attention and aggressive representation on every case. If you’re ready to learn more about your legal defense options, call our Gilbert, AZ law office at 480-568-5590.