A two-count case at Scottsdale City Court stacked a Class 1 Misdemeanor Assault and a Class 1 Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct with a DV designation. The DV stripe would have triggered the lifetime federal firearm prohibition. Future First secured diversion on the Assault and dismissal of the DV count entirely.
At a glance
| Court | Scottsdale City Court |
| Original charges | Assault (ARS § 13-1203(A)(1)), Class 1 Misdemeanor; Disorderly Conduct (ARS § 13-2904(A)(1)) with domestic violence designation, Class 1 Misdemeanor |
| Presumptive exposure | Two permanent C1M criminal records, one with a DV stripe triggering the federal Lautenberg Amendment firearm prohibition for life, probation, DV counseling, fines, and stacked consequences across both counts |
| Result | Diversion on Assault count under ARS § 9-500.22 (9-month program: Anger Management + Substance Abuse Screening, $209 court costs); DV Disorderly Conduct count dismissed entirely; case dismissed on diversion completion; no conviction; no DV stripe; no federal firearm prohibition triggered |
| Eligibility for sealing | After standard wait under ARS § 13-911 |
The stakes
The client faced two misdemeanor counts in Scottsdale City Court: a Class 1 Misdemeanor Assault under ARS § 13-1203(A)(1) and a Class 1 Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct with a domestic violence designation under ARS § 13-2904(A)(1). Two convictions would have meant two permanent C1M misdemeanor records, with the DV stripe on the Disorderly Conduct triggering the federal Lautenberg Amendment firearm prohibition for life, plus probation, DV counseling, and fines stacked across both counts.
What we did
Future First negotiated diversion on the Assault count under ARS § 9-500.22 and the State dismissed the Disorderly Conduct DV count entirely. The client completed Anger Management plus Substance Abuse Screening/Program over 9 months, paid $209 in court costs, and stayed law-abiding.
Case dismissed on diversion completion. No conviction. No DV stripe on the record. No federal firearm prohibition triggered. Set aside under ARS § 13-905 not needed because no conviction. Arrest record sealing under ARS § 13-911 available after the standard wait.
What our clients say
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If you’re facing a DV-designated misdemeanor in Arizona
Pre-judgment diversion under ARS § 9-500.22 is the cleanest resolution path on eligible misdemeanor cases. The structure defers entry of judgment pending diversion completion. On successful completion, the case dismisses without judgment of guilt. No conviction enters. Combined with companion-count dismissal, the client walks away with no criminal record at all.
The DV designation is the load-bearing element on misdemeanor DV cases. Strip the DV stripe and the federal firearm prohibition does not attach. Strip it and the mandatory DV counseling track is replaced with general counseling. Strip it and the long-tail employment, housing, and immigration consequences disappear.
Future First Criminal Law has handled DV-designated misdemeanor cases across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know how Scottsdale City Court and other municipal courts evaluate diversion and DV-count dismissal negotiations.
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 DV-designated misdemeanor in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-932-7890 or request a free consultation. We have handled hundreds of DV cases across Arizona. The earlier we are involved, the more options you have.
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.