Two stacked Class 1 Misdemeanor Assault counts with domestic violence designations in Chandler Municipal Court carried a lifetime federal firearm prohibition, mandatory DV counseling, and a no-contact order keeping the client out of her own home. Future First got the client back home, negotiated deferred prosecution, and closed both counts with no conviction.

At a glance

Court	Chandler Municipal Court
Original charges	Two counts of Assault (ARS § 13-1203), each a Class 1 Misdemeanor with domestic violence designation
Presumptive exposure per count	Up to 180 days jail, up to $2,500 fine plus surcharges, mandatory domestic violence counseling, probation, no-contact orders
Collateral exposure	Lifetime federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), employment barriers, professional licensing impact
Result	Rule 38 deferred prosecution completed; both counts dismissed
Conviction	None
Eligibility for set aside	N/A (no conviction)
Eligibility for sealing	Immediate under ARS § 13-911 in 2020 (case ended in dismissal)

The stakes

The client faced two counts of assault with a domestic violence designation in Chandler Municipal Court. Each count carried up to 180 days in jail, a fine up to $2,500, mandatory domestic violence counseling, probation, and a no-contact order separating the client from her own home.

A domestic violence conviction in Arizona triggers a lifetime federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), blocks a wide range of jobs, complicates immigration status, and stays on background checks permanently. The client had been ordered to stay away from her husband and the family home pending trial in 2020, separating her from her own household while the case was pending.

What we did

Future First entered an appearance, secured a Motion to Modify Release Conditions so the client could return home and rebuild stability with her family, and negotiated Rule 38 deferred prosecution with the State. The client completed anger management and paid $150 in diversion fees.

The State then moved to dismiss both counts and the court entered the dismissal orders in 2020. No conviction was entered, so ARS § 13-905 set-aside relief was not needed. Sealing under ARS § 13-911 became available in 2020 as a dismissed matter. The firearm rights, employment options, and immigration status the client had at the start of the case were all preserved.

What our clients say

Future First Criminal Law has earned hundreds of five-star reviews from clients across Arizona. Read our verified Google reviews or see what past clients have said on our client reviews page.

If you’re facing a domestic violence charge in Arizona

Arizona’s domestic violence designation under ARS § 13-3601 attaches to a wide range of underlying offenses including assault, disorderly conduct, criminal damage, and threats. The DV designation does not change the maximum sentence on the underlying offense, but it triggers a separate set of collateral consequences: mandatory domestic violence counseling, the lifetime federal firearm prohibition, and immigration consequences for non-citizens.

Two layers of defense work usually move DV cases. First, the release conditions hearing can secure a return to the home and contact with children, ending the immediate disruption that follows the arrest. Second, the plea negotiation can position the case for Rule 38 deferred prosecution (a diversion track ending in dismissal upon completion) instead of a conviction-track plea. When the State agrees to deferred prosecution, the client completes anger management, the case dismisses, and no DV record attaches.

Future First Criminal Law has handled domestic violence cases across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know how Chandler Municipal Court and other municipal courts handle release modifications and Rule 38 diversion offers.

Related resources

Arizona criminal defense — full overview of how we handle misdemeanor and felony charges
Set aside and sealing in Arizona — how to clean up your record after a DV dismissal or conviction

Call us

Facing a domestic violence charge in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-900-7625 or request a free consultation. We have handled hundreds of DV cases across Arizona. The earlier we are involved, the more options you have for return-home motions, deferred prosecution, and dismissal paths.

Anonymized in line with firm policy. Client name not used. Specific dates approximated to year only. Outcome described reflects this client’s actual results. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. For more detailed information on Arizona domestic violence law, visit the Arizona State Legislature website.