phone-icon Call Us Now
The Decisions You Make Today
Will Impact Your Family's Future
Let Us Help You Make the Right Choices
CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION

Misdemeanor Attorney in Glendale, AZ

Offering Quality Legal Representation to Clients Charged with Misdemeanor Offenses

If you’re facing a misdemeanor charge in Glendale, AZ, you need a dedicated and experienced criminal defense attorney on your side throughout your case. While misdemeanor charges are less severe than felonies, they can still lead to fines, jail time, and other penalties upon conviction. So whether your criminal charges involve drug crimes, sexual offenses, white-collar crimes, or other violations of criminal law, you need immediate legal advice on how to get the best possible outcome for your case.

When you contact The Turner Law Firm PLLC for legal representation, you’ll speak with caring Glendale criminal defense lawyers who understand the stress and uncertainty that criminal charges can cause. That’s why you can count on our Glendale criminal lawyers to give you peace of mind while confidently handling your legal needs from start to finish. If you’re ready to learn more about what your criminal charges could mean for your future, contact our law office in Glendale, AZ to talk to a defense attorney you can trust.

What Criminal Charges Are Considered Misdemeanors in Arizona?

Arizona law states that a misdemeanor is a criminal offense that can result in up to six months in jail, probation, fines, and other penalties. This means misdemeanor crimes are considered less severe than felony charges, but it’s still best to fight them so you can avoid jail time and other serious consequences.

The specific penalties for a misdemeanor conviction will depend on certain factors, such as your criminal record and what class the charge falls into. This is because misdemeanors in Arizona are divided into three classes, with Class 1 being the most serious category of offenses.

Some examples of misdemeanor charges in Phoenix, AZ include:

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI)
  • Domestic violence
  • Simple assault
  • Theft of property under $1,000
  • Driving on a suspended license
  • Trespassing
  • Vandalism
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Reckless driving
  • Loitering
  • Public intoxication
  • Criminal speeding
  • Criminal damage

If you’ve been accused of committing these or other criminal offenses, you could be facing jail time, fines, and other consequences that you’ll want to avoid if possible. A skilled Glendale criminal defense attorney can help with this before your case goes to the Maricopa County Superior Court. When you hire criminal defense lawyers, they’ll explain your criminal charges to you to make sure you understand the possible penalties you’ll get if convicted, and then they’ll create a strategic defense for you based on the facts of your case. If you’re worried about a criminal conviction in Glendale, AZ, contact us to speak with a criminal defense lawyer who is committed to defending you from serious charges.

What Penalties Do You Face If Convicted of a Misdemeanor in Arizona?

Misdemeanor charges usually result in fines, community service, and probation, with jail time being a possibility in many cases. Your specific consequences will depend on whether this is your first offense and what misdemeanor class your charge falls into. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can tell you what to expect from your case once they’re aware of the details, but there are some general guidelines to consider before your case begins.

Class 1

Class 1 is the most serious category of misdemeanors, so you can expect the harshest penalties – including months in jail – if you’re convicted of this type of crime. Some of the most common Class 1 misdemeanor charges in Phoenix, AZ include:

  • DUI
  • Domestic violence
  • Assault
  • Criminal damage of under $1,000
  • Shoplifting
  • Theft of property under $1,000

If you’re charged with these or other criminal offenses in the Class 1 category, you could face the following penalties:

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

Some criminal charges come with additional penalties specific to your alleged actions. For example, drug crimes can lead to mandatory drug treatment, while domestic violence charges can require anger management classes. DUI and traffic violations can result in driver’s license suspension, while vandalism can require you to perform community service.

Your Glendale criminal defense attorney will let you know what penalties to expect if you’re convicted. They’ll then do everything possible to prevent this outcome. Contact our criminal law office in Glendale, AZ today to start preparing for your case.

Class 2

The next most serious class of misdemeanor offenses is Class 2. Some examples of criminal charges in this class include:

  • Criminal speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Simple assault without physical injury
  • Criminal trespassing in the second degree
  • Criminal damage of property under $250
  • Minor in consumption of alcohol

If you’re facing criminal charges in this class, a conviction could lead to the following penalties:

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

Similar to Class 1 charges, your punishment might also include penalties specific to the crime, such as mandatory drug treatment for drug possession and other drug crimes. If you’re curious about the consequences you face for a conviction of a Class 2 misdemeanor, it’s time to contact a skilled misdemeanor lawyer in Glendale. Call our law office today to discuss your legal rights with a compassionate criminal defense lawyer.

Class 3

Class 3 features the least severe criminal charges, but it’s still important to hire a criminal defense attorney to help avoid any jail time and fines you face for your alleged actions. Some examples of Class 3 criminal offenses include:

  • Loitering
  • Minor traffic violations
  • Criminal trespassing in the third degree
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Criminal nuisance
  • Public intoxication

The typical punishment for Class 3 crimes includes:

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

If you want the best chance of avoiding jail time and other penalties, you need to call a trusted Glendale criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. The right defense attorney for your case can develop an aggressive defense strategy that prevents the prosecution team from proving you’re guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

If you’re ready to learn how our Glendale criminal defense lawyers would approach your case for the best results, contact us to schedule an initial consultation with our team. We’re committed to ensuring that every client gets a fair trial in order to fight unfair allegations that could lead to jail time. Call our Glendale, AZ law office today to learn more about why you should rely on us for legal counsel after your arrest.

Will You Go to Jail for a Misdemeanor Conviction?

Most misdemeanor charges in Arizona can result in jail time. However, this doesn’t have to be the outcome for everyone. When you hire a skilled criminal defense lawyer, you have a strong chance of avoiding jail time, whether by showing you’re not guilty of the crime or reducing your penalties through a plea deal. Your Glendale criminal defense attorney will let you know the best option for you once they know all the facts of the case from the consultation.

Of course, the most straightforward way to avoid jail is to win your court case. If your criminal defense lawyer is confident the evidence is in your favor, they will fight for you in court until you’re acquitted of your criminal charges. However, there is no guarantee that you’ll be acquitted, which is why many criminal cases involve negotiations in an effort to reduce the charges and penalties.

More specifically, experienced criminal defense lawyers often enter plea negotiations to keep their clients out of jail. After all, the idea of spending even a few days in jail can be scary, especially if you’re worried about taking time off work or even losing your job as a result of your jail time. If your goal is to avoid jail in any way possible, you should make this clear to your criminal defense lawyer so they can request alternative penalties, such as:

  • Probation: If you’re eligible for probation, your Glendale criminal defense lawyers can ask for this punishment instead of jail. This means you won’t be incarcerated as long as you stay out of legal trouble during the probation period. You will also have to agree to the terms set by the judge, such as passing drug tests, not drinking alcohol, not contacting certain people, or paying restitution to the victims. Probation can last up to one year for Class 3 crimes, two years for Class 2 crimes, and three years for Class 1 crimes in Arizona
  • Diversion programs: You might qualify to participate in a diversion program if this is your first offense and you’re willing to agree to certain terms to avoid jail. The specific details of a diversion program will depend on the type of crime you’re accused of. For example, if you’re charged with theft, you might be required to pay restitution to the victims. A domestic violence or drug possession charge might require you to attend a treatment program if you want to avoid jail. Once you complete the diversion program, your criminal charges will be dismissed
  • Community service: Depending on your charges, a judge might sentence you to complete several hours of service to your community. This might include picking up trash on the side of the road, helping clean up graffiti, or volunteering with local agencies focused on community improvement
  • House arrest: You might be eligible to serve your jail sentence at home. This typically means you’ll wear an ankle monitor that restricts your ability to leave the house except for necessary reasons, such as doctor appointments or work

If your main goal is to avoid jail time if convicted of a misdemeanor, you should let your criminal defense attorney know you’re interested in one of these alternative options. They’ll find out if you’re eligible based on your criminal record and the crime you were charged with, and will then negotiate before your sentence is determined in court. Contact our Glendale, AZ law office today to discuss your case with a seasoned defense attorney who will work hard to get you the outcome you desire.

What Can You Expect from the Legal Process When Charged with a Misdemeanor in Arizona?

Being arrested and charged with a crime is scary for most people, but it’s especially overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with the criminal law process. This is why it’s best to hire a skilled criminal defense attorney to walk you through each stage, ensuring you’re prepared for every court appearance during your case. As you wait to speak with your Glendale criminal defense attorney, you should get to know the stages of the criminal law process when it comes to misdemeanor charges in Phoenix, AZ. They include:

  • Initial court appearance: If you were arrested for a misdemeanor crime, you will typically see a judge within 24 hours while you’re in custody. During this initial court appearance, you will learn what you’re being charged with, what your conditions of release are, and what day the arraignment will be. If you were not arrested and instead got a citation alleging that you broke the law, you’ll skip the initial court appearance and will be given a court date for your arraignment
  • Arraignment: The arraignment is when the judge explains the charges and possible penalties, at which point you can enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you don’t have legal representation by the date of the arraignment, it’s usually recommended that you plead not guilty and then hire a criminal defense attorney before your next court date. If you already have legal representation, your defense attorney can file a notice of appearance so you do not have to appear in court, as this equates to a plea of not guilty
  • Pre-trial conference: The next court date in the criminal law process is the pre-trial conference, during which your defense attorney will discuss your case with the prosecutor and judge. They will exchange evidence and begin negotiations, only bringing you in if necessary. The goal of this step is to determine if the case can be dismissed or settled out of court through a plea bargain, or if it should proceed to trial
  • Motion hearings: Some criminal cases involve additional hearings, depending on how the criminal defense attorney plans to approach the case. They might file a motion to dismiss the case if they believe it doesn’t have legal merit, or they might file a motion to suppress certain evidence. They can also request a change of plea hearing if they reach a plea bargain with the prosecutor, meaning you’ll plead guilty in exchange for reduced charges or penalties
  • Trial: If you can’t reach a plea deal, your case will likely go to trial, where the criminal prosecution team will have to present evidence and witness testimony to try to prove you’re guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The job of your criminal defense attorney will be to counteract their evidence to persuade the judge or jury to find you not guilty.
  • Sentencing: If you plead guilty or are found guilty at your trial, the next step of the criminal law process is sentencing, where the judge will decide the penalties for your conviction. These might include fines, jail time, restitution, community service, or probation

Most criminal cases include these common steps of the criminal law process, though some might skip or add certain court appearances depending on the type of crime and the lawyer’s approach to the case. If you’re curious about which steps your case will involve and which court appearances you should expect to attend, contact our Glendale, AZ law firm to talk to a knowledgable criminal defense lawyer about your legal situation.

How Can an Experienced Glendale, AZ Criminal Defense Attorney Protect You from Criminal Charges?

If you want the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction or at least significantly reduce your penalties, it’s essential that you seek legal representation from a defense attorney who has successfully handled numerous criminal cases over the years. This is because experienced Arizona lawyers are adept at determining the most appropriate defense angles for their clients. They know how to consider the circumstances surrounding your case and what’s worked for them during past criminal cases before they develop a defense strategy.

Some of the most effective defense angles that skilled lawyers might use include:

  • Mistaken identity, meaning victims or witnesses wrongly identified you as the suspect
  • Insufficient evidence that you committed the crime
  • You acted in self-defense or in defense of others
  • Your rights were violated by members of the Glendale police department, as they ignored your right to remain silent or didn’t read you your Miranda rights
  • You only committed the crime due to entrapment or under duress
  • You did not intentionally commit the crime since you did not know your actions were illegal

The best defense angle for your case will depend on many factors, including what the evidence against you is and what crime you’re charged with. After all, the prosecution team must prove different elements for drug crimes than for sexual crimes, dangerous crimes, or other types of criminal violations. This is why it’s important to remember that you won’t know what defense angle is best for your case until you’ve sat down to talk to a Glendale, AZ lawyer with a proven track record of winning criminal and DUI cases for countless clients.

The right Phoenix, AZ criminal defense lawyer for your case will carefully select the most effective defense strategy for you whether you’re facing criminal charges for aggravated assault, sexual assault, drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, or other criminal offenses. If you’re ready to learn more about your legal options in Arizona, call our Glendale law firm today to schedule a consultation with a compassionate attorney who is eager to defend you from serious criminal charges.

Why Should You Call a Misdemeanor Attorney in Glendale, AZ?

When you contact The Turner Law Firm PLLC for legal representation, you will have the support of Arizona lawyers who have won numerous criminal cases for clients over the years. At our Glendale, AZ firm, we understand how devastated our clients are to be facing criminal charges, especially when they cannot take the time off work to go to jail for weeks or months if convicted. This is why we fight aggressively to show that our clients do not deserve to face harsh penalties after being charged with misdemeanor crimes.

Whether you were arrested for white-collar crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, or other offenses, you can count on our team to represent you throughout the Phoenix, AZ criminal prosecution process. We’ll work closely with you to get the best possible outcome on your case, whether this requires making a plea bargain or going to trial to prove you’re not guilty.

Our attorneys have the legal education and experience necessary to defend our clients from serious allegations involving violent crimes, sex crimes, DUI charges, and more. We know how to effectively navigate the entire criminal law process, from the bail hearing to the preliminary hearing, and we strategically rely on expert witnesses and other advantages when cases go to trial.

If you have questions about your misdemeanor charges or are ready to fight the accusations against you, we urge you to contact our Phoenix, AZ firm for legal guidance. Call 480-568-5590 today to schedule a consultation with Glendale criminal defense lawyers who genuinely care about getting the best outcome for your case.