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A felony abuse/endangerment investigation involving multiple police interviews, a forensic interview, and a medical examination carried up to 3.75 years of prison exposure on conviction. After Future First’s prefile defense work, the State found no probable cause and the case closed with no charges filed.
At a glance
| Stage | Prefile (no charges ever filed) |
| Investigation type | Felony-level abuse/endangerment investigation by Phoenix Police |
| Investigation steps | Multiple police interviews, forensic interview, medical examination |
| Exposure if filed | Up to 3.75 years prison, fines up to $150,000, significant collateral consequences for employment, family law, and licensing, lifelong impact on background checks |
| Result | State determined no probable cause; investigation closed approximately 2022; no charges filed |
| Prison exposure avoided | Up to 3.75 years |
| Eligibility for sealing | Immediate under ARS § 13-911 (investigation record) |
The stakes
The client was the subject of a felony abuse/endangerment investigation by Phoenix Police in 2022. The investigation followed reported allegations. Police conducted multiple interviews and a medical examination.
The allegations carried felony exposure of up to 3.75 years in prison, fines up to $150,000, and significant collateral consequences for employment, family law, and licensing. A felony conviction in this category also carries lifelong impact on background checks.
What we did
Future First represented the client throughout the prefile investigation. The firm coordinated with detectives, advised the client on rights and communications with police, and built the defense’s view of the evidence.
After the firm’s defense work, the State determined there was no probable cause to support the charge. The case was closed approximately 2022 with no criminal charges filed. The client avoided up to 3.75 years of prison exposure and the lifelong impact of a felony conviction. Prefile investigations like this one often involve unsupported allegations the State does not pursue. The investigation file is eligible for sealing under ARS § 13-911 immediately. No conviction means no set aside is required.
What our clients say
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If you’re the subject of a multi-step prefile investigation in Arizona
Felony abuse and endangerment investigations in Arizona typically follow a multi-step protocol. Police take initial reports and interview alleged victims and witnesses. Forensic interviews are conducted in dedicated facilities with trained interviewers. Medical examinations document any physical findings. The case file builds across weeks or months before the prosecutor’s intake unit makes the charging decision.
“No probable cause” is the most favorable outcome at the prefile stage. The State has determined the evidence does not meet the threshold to support a criminal charge. The case closes without charges. Probable cause is a lower standard than beyond a reasonable doubt at trial, so when the State concludes probable cause is missing, the underlying evidence problem is usually significant.
Defense work during a multi-step investigation focuses on protecting the client’s rights at each phase. Counsel can: advise the client not to make statements without representation, attend or coordinate around forensic interviews, document any inconsistencies in the police narrative as the investigation develops, and submit a written disposition memo to the prosecutor’s intake unit before charging decisions are finalized.
Future First Criminal Law has handled prefile felony investigations across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know how Phoenix Police and other Arizona agencies structure their felony abuse/endangerment investigations, and how to engage at each step to keep the case from reaching a charging decision.
Related resources
- Arizona criminal defense — full overview of how we handle felony and misdemeanor charges
- Set aside and sealing in Arizona — how to clean up your record after a prefile investigation
Call us
Under investigation for a felony abuse or endangerment matter in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-900-7625 or request a free consultation. We have handled hundreds of prefile cases across Arizona. The earlier we are involved, the more options you have for closing the matter before formal charges are filed.
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 criminal law and prefile procedure, visit the Arizona State Legislature website.