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Arizona Felony Defense Lawyer
We Help Keep Good People Out Of Jail!
When it comes to being charged with a crime, the consequences you face for a felony charge can be far harsher than those imposed for misdemeanors and can include hefty financial penalties, as well as the loss of your freedom and your reputation. Felony charges require the services of an experienced felony defense lawyer who can help you to get the charges reduced or may even be able to get the case dismissed.
In Arizona, there are six classes of felonies, each of which carries presumptive sentencing of incarceration for a year or more. While judges have discretion when it comes to sentencing, it is generally assumed that the defendant — upon conviction — will receive a sentence that is close to what the state has determined is an adequate punishment for the crime. Violent crimes carry a mandatory sentence of a specific length of incarceration, with time served in state prison rather than in a county or municipal jail. Those crimes include:
- Repeat criminal offenses by the defendant. One of the many reasons to hire an experienced felony defense lawyer to help with your case is that the consequences for subsequent offenses are almost always stricter than those experienced with a first-time conviction.
- Felony charges that involve violent crimes, in which another person is injured, killed, or there is an attempt or a high risk of causing injury or death to another person.
- Aggravated assault, which is defined as an attempt to cause serious harm to an individual with disregard for life.
- Assaults involving a deadly weapon during the commission of a crime.
- Assault and battery with a weapon.
- Crimes involving the use of a weapon, such as armed robbery.
When Should I Call A Felony Defense Lawyer?
Felonies can result in harsh fines, incarceration, and other penalties that can include education or rehabilitation, community service, probation or parole requirements, and other consequences. Even a Class 6 felony, which is the lowest severity level of felony crimes in Arizona, can result in up to a year or more in prison. More serious classes of felony crimes can result in decades of incarceration, or even the death penalty. Making matters worse, because a felony appears on your permanent record, the conviction can impact your future ability to own firearms, vote, or even obtain a job when you are released from prison.
The criminal process generally starts either with an investigation into a reported crime or an arrest. You have constitutional rights throughout the criminal legal process that must be protected. Because of this, if you have been arrested or are being investigated for any felony crime, it is important that you contact a criminal defense lawyer right away so he or she can ensure that your rights are upheld, even during the arrest and questioning.
How Does Felony Defense Differ from Misdemeanor Defense?
Unlike misdemeanors, felony convictions appear on your permanent legal record and are available to view by the public in a number of situations, such as when you are applying for a job, for college, or even for an apartment. Your felony defense lawyer will work to protect you from the harshest consequences of the law, generally focusing your defense on a resolution that will result in the fewest consequences. Some ways this can be accomplished include:
- Pressing for a case dismissal if the prosecution’s evidence is weak or if your rights are violated during the arrest and investigation.
- Challenging evidence that is presented to avoid having it used to help the prosecution’s case.
- Negotiating a deal with the prosecutor that will allow you to plead guilty to a lesser charge, therefore facing fewer consequences.
- Presenting evidence that will convince the judge to be lenient in sentencing.
While case dismissals, plea bargains, and the attempt at a lenient sentence are also facets of a misdemeanor defense, the stakes are a lot higher when it comes to felonies and often require a more aggressive defense.
Top-Rated Legal Team in Phoenix Dedicated to DUI and Criminal Law
Positively Impacting Lives Through Effective Legal Advocacy, One Case At A Time!
At Future First Criminal Law, we provide strong DUI and Criminal defense representation, distinguishing us as a top choice in the Phoenix area. Focusing on a limited number of clients allows us to offer personalized attention to each case, understanding its unique intricacies. Acknowledging the high stakes involved, our devoted team diligently develops strong defense strategies tailored to each client’s needs, ensuring effective representation in court. Our goal is to level the playing field in the criminal justice system and help individuals avoid incarceration by offering valuable legal insights and unwavering support throughout the legal process. Committed to empowering our clients, we help navigate the complexities of the legal system to achieve favorable outcomes.