Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney
Preparing for Criminal Defense in Phoenix
Have you been charged with a crime in Arizona? Did something go terribly wrong and now you’re under police investigation? Is a bench warrant out for your arrest? Were you re-arrested for violating probation? Is a bond or release hearing coming up? No one should face criminal charges without competent legal representation. When individual rights are in jeopardy or personal freedom could be lost, that is where our Arizona criminal defense attorneys come in.
When in trouble with the law, waste no time getting legal assistance. Consult an experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney with the Stewart Law Group. Put your trust in our team of dedicated advocates for defendants’ rights. Have confidence in our proven ability to lighten the darkest circumstances. No matter how challenging the proceedings, no matter how serious the offense, we can help.
Convinced the cards are stacked against you?
Doing nothing to prepare a strong defense, is what could stack the deck against you. Your defense has to begin with you. It’s not the prosecutor’s job to look out for the defendant’s best interests. Nor is the criminal justice system always as “just” as it could be. SLG’s criminal defense team has the resources, intelligence, legal and scientific training, and courtroom experience to make a real difference in the proceedings. Although no attorney can guarantee a specific outcome, we promise to do everything in our power to obtain the best possible results. We mean it.
Our criminal defense attorneys are former Arizona prosecutors
Every Arizona criminal defense attorney with SLG is a former prosecutor. As such, we anticipate the State’s case and quickly spot weaknesses that could benefit the defense. The prosecution has the burden of proving every element of the alleged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. To the trained eye, that burden provides an opportunity for defense counsel to attack the prosecution’s case in chief.
No criminal trial is a slam dunk. The prosecution will have a strategy for conviction; the defense must have a strategy for acquittal. Although dismissal, acquittal, plea bargain, or reduced sentence are all possibilities, the stakes vary considerably with the offense.
Impact the criminal case has on a family law case
A criminal investigation, trial, or conviction may weaken a party’s family law case, too. Accusations of cyber-stalking the other spouse, of threatening domestic violence, or of violating an order of protection or order against harassment, could easily damage one’s case for child custody. Criminal charges may influence the family law judge’s determination of parenting time and legal decision-making authority. If hoping to co-parent your child, then hire the Arizona criminal defense attorney who has a proven track record of fighting and obtaining positive results.
Sentencing Phase
Generally, violent crimes that put others in danger of serious physical injury or death, such as arson of an occupied building, carry harsher sentences than non-violent crimes, such as a weaponless criminal trespass. Armed robbery carries penalties far more severe than shoplifting or bad check writing. Grand theft auto is criminalized and penalized more harshly than petty theft.
Defense counsel approaches the sentencing phase as a way to obtain a more favorable sentence and probationary terms, to show mitigating circumstances, seek less jail time, and offer evidence of the client’s good moral character in the community. The sentencing hearing is an opportunity to show the judge the defendant’s willingness to make lifestyle changes, to take responsibility for past acts, and be a better citizen.
Not every case will result in dismissal or acquittal. That a conviction was not supported by the evidence; that the State did not carry its burden of proof; that the sentencing judge’s orders exceeded Arizona’s sentencing guidelines, these are all basis for appeal. Experience in criminal appellate practice is yet another reason to hire a criminal defense attorney with SLG.
Expungement and set aside
All convictions have collateral consequences for the defendant and his or her family. Whether a misdemeanor or felony conviction, a criminal record follows that person everywhere. A criminal record may be expunged or conviction set aside when certain conditions are met. We can help with that, too. By far and away, though, the most effective defense involves a sustained attack from start to finish. Keep fighting throughout the trial, sentencing hearing, and any criminal appeal.
Although the elements of crimes vary substantially, the proceedings are governed by the same court rules. Read about Arizona crimes, court proceedings, and punishment on this website. We also provide pre-charge representation. This involves the defense attorney in the case early on, often while law enforcement is still investigating. Police investigations can go on for months, sometimes years, especially with complex white-collar crimes and fraudulent schemes. If the prosecutor files an information or the grand jury indicts, then pre-charge defense preparation could place the client in a much better position.
Hire an experience Arizona Criminal Defense lawyer
Contact us now to learn more and schedule a consultation with a Phoenix criminal defense attorney from our team. We have office locations in Phoenix, Peoria, Glendale, Chandler, Avondale, and Surprise.
