Misdemeanor Attorney in Mesa, AZ

Fighting to Help Clients Avoid Conviction – Because There’s No Such Thing as a “Minor” Crime

Mesa criminal defense lawyers work on a significant amount of felony cases. When it comes to criminal charges, these are clearly the more serious category. Unfortunately, this leaves many people with the assumption that misdemeanor offenses aren’t very serious. In fact, the overwhelming majority of individuals charged with these crimes agree to a plea deal and accept a guilty verdict with the idea that they can simply move on with their lives. Unfortunately, most of these people learn the hard way that a criminal record is a very serious thing. That’s why you need a misdemeanor lawyer in Mesa on your side.

At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, you’ll work with a skilled criminal defense attorney whose primary focus is securing the best possible outcome in your case. Whether you’re charged with DUI, assault, petty theft, or any other number of misdemeanor offenses, it’s important to understand the long-term repercussions of a criminal conviction. In addition to incarceration, a person could face extensive fines, community service, probation, driver’s license suspension, and a variety of other negative legal outcomes. Unfortunately, a conviction causes disruption in other areas of life as well.

Misdemeanor criminal cases should not be taken lightly. Contact our law office today to schedule a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney who’s ready to help.

How Does the Criminal Justice System Treat Misdemeanor Charges?

Misdemeanor offenses are treated less seriously than felony offenses, but this doesn’t mean they’re not still serious criminal charges. A conviction under certain statutes can result in up to six months of jail time. When a person is charged with multiple offenses, confinement can increase to a full year. Unlike felonies, misdemeanor cases in Mesa are not handled in the Maricopa County Superior Court. Instead, they’re heard in the Mesa Municipal Court. Your legal representation can explain the process to you, and this is a good idea since misdemeanors are handled differently depending on jurisdiction.

Under Arizona’s criminal statutes, misdemeanor offenses are divided into several classes. A Class I misdemeanor is the most serious. High-level misdemeanor criminal and DUI cases fall into this category. These include assault without serious injury, theft of property valued at $100-$1,000, criminal damage, and other offenses. A conviction can result in a six-month jail term, thousands in fines, and years of probation. Class II and III misdemeanor offenses carry less serious consequences, but conviction could still lead to jail time and hundreds of dollars in fines.

While these crimes may seem relatively minor in criminal law, it’s still important to employ a strategic defense. The reality of the situation is that a criminal record is never a positive thing, and with convictions on a person’s record, the criminal justice system will be much harsher on them if they’re arrested in the future. To secure a favorable outcome, speaking with a misdemeanor lawyer in Mesa, AZ is likely in your best interest. At The Turner Law Firm, we understand what you’re up against. We’ll handle investigations, plea negotiations, court filings, and, when necessary, trial on your behalf.

Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney for Misdemeanor Crimes?

For many people charged with misdemeanor offenses, their first court date happens within a few days of being arrested. At this time, they will be assigned a public defender if they haven’t already retained private representation. Unfortunately, this attorney is likely overworked — and they may not have time to go over their new client’s legal rights during this hearing. It’s likely that the prosecutor will tell you that you can avoid severe penalties. After all, it’s “just a misdemeanor.” In this situation, many people may wonder whether they even need an attorney.

While everyone’s situation is different, hiring a misdemeanor defense lawyer in Mesa is a good idea. They can represent you from your initial appearance, or if you know you’re under investigation before an arrest, they can start working on your case even earlier. The primary benefit of having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side is that they can ensure you receive fair treatment. They can help you navigate the court system, and if the prosecution’s case isn’t as strong as it should be, a legal professional may even be able to have charges dismissed immediately.

The situation where people most wonder whether they need an attorney is when they believe a conviction is unavoidable. Perhaps they were caught on video allegedly committing a criminal offense. Maybe they were scared during their initial arrest, and they admitted to a crime with the hope that the police would go easy on them. There might even be a chemical test that seems to show that a person was extremely intoxicated when pulled over. However, constitutional violations and procedural errors could render all this evidence useless. Let an attorney review your case. You might be surprised.

Are Court-Appointed Criminal Defense Lawyers (e.g., Public Defenders) Good?

When a person is charged with a crime, they have the option to contact a misdemeanor criminal defense attorney in Mesa, AZ. Of course, they’re not required to. Once they get to court, they’ll likely be introduced to a public defender. This attorney will explain the criminal charges the person faces and let them know their options. The big question is whether you should stick with these public defenders as your case makes its way through the criminal courts. To be fair, it’s not as if these attorneys just graduated from Texas Southern University yesterday, but they still might not be right for your case.

A public defender could have spent years representing indigent clients, but the reality is that this legal professional is likely overworked. Statistics show that individual court-appointed attorneys handle hundreds of cases simultaneously. In fact, they have caseloads that are three times larger than the recommended average. The simple fact is that they don’t have the time and energy to fight tirelessly on your behalf. They probably want a favorable outcome for you, but the constraints that they face typically do not allow them to do what’s necessary to secure such an outcome.

Of course, you might like the idea of getting a free case evaluation with an experienced criminal defense attorney. After all, public defenders are provided by the state free of charge. Right? Unfortunately, even this isn’t true. Anyone within the Arizona legal community has noticed an increase in recoupment proceedings. This is when the government essentially bills defendants for their use of public defenders. The simple fact is that your legal defense will likely cost money no matter what, so why not choose a Mesa criminal defense attorney who is committed to giving your case the attention it deserves?

What if the Prosecutor Is Threatening to Charge Felony Offenses?

While America’s criminal justice system has admirable goals, the reality of the legal process is much less positive. Statistics show that a non-negligible percentage of individuals incarcerated in the country are actually innocent. Even worse, it’s incredibly common for innocent individuals to plead guilty — and this typically occurs due to plea negotiations. That’s because prosecutors will often overcharge an offense. In doing so, they create a bargaining chip for negotiations — because they can offer reduced charges during the plea negotiation process.

You’ve likely seen unfair charges on television. Most people have heard of public urinators being charged with sex crimes, but this is far from the only situation where prosecutors will use this tactic. There are certain misdemeanor offenses that are known as “wobblers,” and this means they can be charged as misdemeanor or felony offenses. Such crimes include theft of property, driving under the influence, forgery, possession of drug paraphernalia, and several other crimes. Felony convictions carry very serious consequences, so you may be tempted to accept a plea deal for a misdemeanor.

Unfortunately, wobblers aren’t the only opportunity the prosecution might take to overcharge you. Depending on the circumstances of a case, aggravating factors may turn what could be a misdemeanor into a felony. Domestic violence is a common offense where this is done. Regardless of the situation you find yourself in, do not make any deal with prosecutors believing that they’re being lenient with you. They’re not. In fact, they’re merely trying to scare you. You need an experienced lawyer on your side, and that’s exactly what you’ll find when working with our Mesa misdemeanor defense attorneys.

What Legal Defense Strategy Is Best for Misdemeanor Cases?

All criminal cases are unique in their own way, but they also have a variety of similarities as well. This is true whether a person is facing murder charges, allegations of white-collar crimes, or was simply picked up for shoplifting. One of the most important similarities is the right to due process — and this means you’re able to defend yourself against the charges you’re facing. These defenses can secure charge dismissal, acquittals at trial, or improved plea terms when going to trial is in no one’s best interest. The following are some of the most common defenses used within criminal justice courts:

Alibi defense
Illegal stop
Lack of probable cause
Consent of the alleged victim
Self-defense
Defense of others
Constitutional violations
Procedural errors
Faulty equipment (e.g., breathalyzer)
Chain of custody errors
Insanity defense
Coercion or duress
Involuntary intoxication
Lack of intent
Diminished capacity
Lack of evidence
False allegations
Mistaken identity

If a person is charged with impaired driving, they need a DUI defense attorney. If they’re charged with sexual offenses, they need a felony defense attorney. At The Turner Law Firm, we handle these cases and everything in between. Regardless of the criminal allegations you’re facing, our law firm has the experience, knowledge, and commitment to offer the high-quality legal defense that you deserve. Our Mesa misdemeanor defense attorneys far too often see prosecutors treat minor crimes more seriously than necessary, and many times, they’ll overcharge just as a scare tactic.

We refuse to let the government take advantage of our clients in this way. Contact us today. We’ll review your case and help you understand all your options for moving forward.

What Non-Legal Consequences Are Possible?

Establishing reasonable doubt is key to avoiding a conviction. However, what happens when this isn’t accomplished? Unfortunately, a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime will not only face legal consequences. In fact, the non-legal outcomes are sometimes far worse than criminal sentencing in misdemeanor cases. Put simply, a criminal record can create hurdles for an individual for years after their case officially closes. Some of these hurdles may follow them for a lifetime. Just consider some of the unexpected results people face after a misdemeanor conviction:

Employment Challenges

Many employers conduct background checks. A misdemeanor conviction can raise red flags, particularly for positions that require trust or working with money. Criminal convictions can also result in the loss of professional licenses, and even if not disqualifying, a criminal record can seriously damage a person’s professional reputation.

Housing and Rental Issues

Landlords also conduct background searches with relative frequency. If they discover a misdemeanor conviction on your record, they may reject your rental application. There are even some leases that include clauses allowing termination if the tenant is convicted of a crime.

Educational Barriers

Colleges and universities may deny admission or rescind offers if a criminal record shows up during a background check. Drug-related misdemeanors can also affect a person’s eligibility for financial aid.

Social Stigma

Criminal convictions can put significant strain on personal relationships. A misdemeanor can also negatively affect your community’s perception of you — particularly with the increasing availability of “mugshot tabloids” (e.g., “Arizona Mugshots”).

Travel Restrictions

Some countries may deny entry to a person if they have certain types of convictions, even misdemeanors.

Firearms Ownership

Most people are aware that a felony conviction can affect a person’s right to own firearms. However, this is also true for certain misdemeanors (e.g., domestic violence).

Other Potential Outcomes

Clearly, the potential impacts of a misdemeanor conviction reach far beyond the legal system. Unfortunately, the effects discussed above are only the tip of the iceberg. There is no exhaustive list of potential non-legal consequences of a conviction — simply because there are too many to list.

You could find difficulty gaining child custody during divorce proceedings, or you might have your driving privileges revoked. Non-citizens could have their immigration status negatively affected, and avid volunteers could discover that organizations no longer want their help.

You don’t have to go to law school to understand how all these outcomes can be devastating to a person’s life. This is why speaking with a Mesa misdemeanor defense lawyer is so important. Opting not to do so can have effects that last a lifetime.

Contact a Misdemeanor Lawyer in Mesa, AZ Today

When you’re deciding whether to hire a criminal lawyer for your misdemeanor charges, it’s important not to make the mistake of underestimating the effects of a conviction. For those with a prior criminal history, a misdemeanor offense can result in very serious penalties. Unfortunately, it’s not just those with prior convictions that face harsh outcomes. Whether you’re being charged with a property or violent crime, the reality of your situation is a bit terrifying. Too many people accept plea deals only to discover that they can no longer find work, housing, or other necessities in life.

At The Turner Law Firm, PLLC, we want you to understand all the potential consequences of a conviction. You certainly won’t face potential penalties at the level of serious felonies. After all, people charged with weapons offenses, sexual assault, and other major crimes are staring down the barrel of years of prison time. However, incarceration is still a possibility for less serious crimes — and no matter what, escaping the non-legal consequences of a conviction is not a simple endeavor. Fortunately, a conviction is not a foregone conclusion.

Contact us at (623) 253-8718 today for your confidential consultation. Our Mesa misdemeanor defense attorneys are here to help.