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Felony Defense Attorney in Glendale, AZ

Providing a Strategic Defense Against Serious Criminal Charges

Being arrested and accused of committing of any crime can be a scary experience, but it’s even more worrisome when the charge you’re facing is a felony. After all, this is the most serious type of crime, with a conviction often leading to years in prison. In addition, having a felony on your criminal record can make it difficult to find a job in the future or exercise certain constitutional rights, such as voting.

In short, you should do everything possible to avoid being convicted of the felony you’ve been charged with in Arizona, and the right criminal defense lawyer can assist with this. At The Turner Law Firm PLLC, our trusted Glendale criminal defense lawyers have spent years using their in-depth legal knowledge to help clients achieve the best possible results on a range of criminal cases. If you want to learn what kind of defense strategy we can develop for your case, contact our Glendale, AZ criminal defense law firm today to speak with a caring defense lawyer.

What Are Felony Charges in Arizona?

Criminal charges are divided into two categories based on severity. They include misdemeanors and felonies, with the latter being the more serious of the two. In fact, felonies are punished by at least one year in prison, while misdemeanors can result in up to six months of jail time. So, if you’ve been charged with a felony in Arizona, it’s important to speak with a Glendale criminal defense attorney about your legal options rather than leave your case to chance.

This is especially critical if you’re facing criminal charges for violent crimes that could result in decades in prison if you end up with a criminal conviction. You deserve the opportunity to show you’re not guilty as charged, and a skilled criminal defense lawyer can help with this by creating a strong defense angle based on the unique details of your case.

Our Glendale criminal defense lawyers have experience defending clients from a wide variety of felony criminal charges involving violent crimes, sex crimes, and white-collar offenses. Some examples of serious criminal charges our Glendale criminal lawyers can handle for you include:

  • Aggravated assault
  • Robbery
  • Aggravated DUI
  • Manslaughter
  • Homicide
  • Kidnapping
  • Fraud
  • Identity theft
  • Firearm offenses
  • Drug possession
  • Drug trafficking
  • Sexual assault
  • Domestic violence
  • Criminal traffic violations

No matter what criminal charges you’re facing, it’s recommended that you seek legal representation right away so you know how to fight back within Arizona’s criminal justice system. If you simply accept the charges and plead guilty without talking to a criminal defense lawyer first, you could end up with harsh penalties that you don’t deserve.

A good criminal defense attorney can carefully review your case and look for ways to show that the prosecutor’s evidence against you is insufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal court. So, before you lose hope for your case, we encourage you to contact our criminal defense law firm to speak with Glendale, AZ lawyers about your legal options. You might be surprised to learn the difference an experienced criminal defense attorney can make for criminal defense cases like yours.

What Are the Felony Classes in Arizona?

Felonies are not all treated equally in Arizona, as some result in more prison time and fines than others based on the severity and nature of the crime. For this reason, the legal system in Arizona divides felony offenses into six classes, with Class 1 being the category with the most serious crimes.

Our Glendale criminal defense lawyers have successfully handled criminal accusations for clients across all categories, so you should rest assured we can create an aggressive defense for you no matter which class your criminal charges fall into. We urge you to schedule a consultation with our defense attorneys to learn more about your legal rights, but in the meantime, it’s helpful to consider some examples of the criminal charges in each felony class. They include:

  • Class 1: First and second-degree murder
  • Class 2: Manslaughter, sexual assault, armed robbery, drive-by shooting, and drug trafficking
  • Class 3: Aggravated assault, robbery, and discharging a firearm at a non-residential building
  • Class 4: Aggravated DUI, perjury, bribery, kidnapping, and possession of dangerous drugs
  • Class 5: Rioting, assault on a police officer, and animal cruelty
  • Class 6: Shoplifting, resisting arrest, aggravated domestic violence, and disorderly conduct

You can face fines and prison time if you’re convicted of any of these serious crimes, but the penalties for offenses in the more severe categories tend to be much more life altering. After all, you could be sentenced to decades in prison and thousands of dollars in fines – as well as other consequences – if you’re convicted of a Class 1 or 2 felony in Arizona. This is why it’s critical to seek legal representation from a skilled criminal defense lawyer as soon as you learn what your criminal charges are.

If you’re not sure what felony class your criminal offense falls into or what penalties to expect after a criminal conviction, contact our Glendale criminal law office for advice. Our defense attorneys have won countless criminal cases for clients throughout Arizona, so you can trust that we have years of experience with the Maricopa County Superior Court. We’d be happy to guide you through your case, making sure to answer all your legal questions while fulfilling your criminal defense needs. Call our criminal law office today for a consultation with a caring Glendale criminal defense attorney.

What Penalties Do You Face If Convicted of Felony Charges?

As you prepare for your case, you’ll likely wonder what criminal penalties you could end up with if your case results in a conviction. The answer is complex, since there is a range of penalties for each crime and it’s up to the judge to decide which one best suits your case. To do this, they need to consider several factors, including the damages caused by your alleged actions and any prior convictions on your criminal record.

To better understand the possible penalties of each offense, it helps to know that there are several types of sentences for felonies in Arizona, and judges consider each one before making a decision. They typically start with the presumptive sentence, which is the standard, unbiased sentencing range that takes only the crime – not specific circumstances – into consideration. The presumptive sentencing range features minimum and maximum penalties that the judge can choose from.

In many instances, the judge starts with the presumptive sentence and adjusts it according to any mitigating or aggravating factors in the case. This can lead to the mitigated sentence, which usually results in less time in prison due to certain details. For example, if you were young when you were arrested or there is evidence that you were under duress to commit the crime, the judge could consider these mitigating factors and decide to reduce your penalties.

On the other hand, if there are aggravating factors in your case that make the crime worse, you could get harsher penalties as a result. So, if you used a deadly weapon and caused severe injuries or death to the victim, your prison sentence could be longer than the presumptive sentence for the crime.

Your criminal defense lawyer will closely review the details of your case before telling you the possible penalties for your charge, but the presumptive sentences of each class can give you an idea of what to expect:

  • Class 1: 16 years in prison
  • Class 2: 5 years in prison
  • Class 3: 3.5 years in prison
  • Class 4: 2.5 years in prison
  • Class 5: 1.5 years in prison
  • Class 6: 1 year in prison

Of course, your actual sentence could be longer or shorter than this depending on certain factors in your case. For example, if you’re convicted of first-degree murder – a Class 1 felony – you could get the death penalty or life in prison.

If you’re convicted of armed robbery – a Class 2 felony – mitigating factors could get you 3 years in prison rather than the presumptive sentence of 5 years. By contrast, aggravating factors could result in 12.5 years in prison. Your sentence could be even longer – such as 35 years – if you have prior convictions on your criminal record.

Similarly, a conviction involving a Class 6 offense could result in a little as 3 months in prison rather than 1 year if you have mitigating factors. In some cases, your criminal defense lawyer can even negotiate your Class 6 felony charge to a misdemeanor with reduced jail time, fines, and other penalties. This is why you should speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney before you plead guilty to a felony charge in Arizona, as legal representation could significantly reduce your punishment.

You could face additional serious penalties beyond prison or jail time if you’re convicted of a felony in this state. Some examples include community service, required enrollment in a treatment center, probation, and fines up to $150,000. In addition, having one or more felony convictions on your criminal record could make it difficult for you to get hired and can lead to the loss of certain rights, such as your right to vote, own a firearm, or qualify for government benefits. If you’re hoping to retain these rights, you should hire a skilled felony defense lawyer in Glendale who will do everything possible to avoid a felony conviction. Contact our Glendale, AZ law office today to schedule a consultation with a trusted criminal defense lawyer.

What Defense Strategies Can Your Glendale Criminal Defense Lawyer Use to Protect You from Felony Charges?

An experienced criminal defense lawyer should have several defense strategies to choose from when defending clients accused of serious offenses. They typically pick the most suitable one after learning about the circumstances of the alleged crime, as this will inform them of whether the client acted in self-defense, was not aware their actions were criminal, or did not commit the crime at all.

You will need to discuss your case with your criminal defense attorney to determine what the appropriate defense angle will be, as this will depend on the unique details of your situation. As you await your initial consultation with a Glendale criminal defense attorney, you should become familiar with some of the most common defense strategies that AZ lawyers use to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and aim for the best possible outcome.

For example, your criminal defense lawyer might claim that the criminal prosecution team is basing their case on misinformation, such as mistaken identity or false claims. If you have a solid alibi that proves you were not at the scene of the crime when it occurred, your criminal defense lawyer can work on getting the charges dropped or getting an acquittal for your case. Similarly, they might focus on undermining the credibility of supposed witnesses by cross-examining them, determining any motives for them to lie, or presenting evidence that contradicts their claims.

If there is strong evidence that you committed the crime, your criminal defense lawyer might look for ways to explain why you did so. For instance, they might claim you acted in defense of yourself or others. As long as there is evidence that you had reason to believe you were in imminent danger and used an amount of force that’s proportionate to the threat, the self-defense angle could reduce your penalties.

In some types of criminal cases – such as those involving drug crimes – proving that you acted unintentionally could reduce your charges and consequences. So, if your criminal defense lawyer can show that you were not aware that you were in possession of illegal substances, your charges could be reduced to less serious crimes, such as misdemeanor offenses.

Another strong defense tactic your Glendale criminal defense attorney might take is alleging that the police violated your rights. After all, you’re entitled to certain rights even when the police suspect you broke the law. In most situations, they must have probable cause or a search warrant to conduct a search or arrest you. Depending on the facts of your case, your criminal defense lawyer might ask for the evidence against you to be considered inadmissible in court. If the police did not read you your Miranda rights or respect your right to remain silent, your criminal defense attorney will present evidence of this to the judge to help get the best possible outcome for your case.

If it’s clear that there is sufficient evidence to convict you, your criminal defense lawyer might work out a plea bargain to reduce your criminal charges and the associated penalties. For example, your plea bargain might allow you to do community service and go on probation instead of getting jail time for your criminal conviction. The results will depend on your specific case, so contact our Glendale, AZ law office today to learn which robust defense angle our criminal defense attorneys would select for you.

How Can Experienced Glendale Felony Lawyers Assist with Your Case?

At The Turner Law Firm PLLC, our criminal defense lawyers have spent years serving Glendale residents the quality legal counsel they deserve for criminal cases of all kinds. Whether you’re facing criminal charges involving violent offenses, sex crimes, vehicular crimes, or other felony offenses in Glendale, AZ, we’re here to provide legal guidance. We know getting the best possible outcome for your case is extremely critical since the penalties for felony convictions can be life altering, so you can count on us to use our in-depth criminal defense knowledge to protect you from charges.

At our Glendale, AZ law office, we keep in mind how daunting the legal process is for our clients. That’s why we want you to rest assured we’ll be by your side during every step of your case, from the bail hearing to the sentencing process and every stage in between. You’ll likely have a lot of questions about the legal system and your case along the way, and we’re committed to being here to provide immediate answers so you have peace of mind as your case progresses.

If you’re worried about your case and want reassurance that you’re not alone as the legal process begins, please contact our Glendale, AZ lawyers for guidance today. We’re dedicated to getting the best results possible for our clients across Phoenix, AZ. Call us at 480-568-5590 to find out how our criminal defense lawyers can create a solid defense strategy for you.