Phoenix Criminal Attorneys | AZ Criminal Defense Lawyers

AZ Crimes Explained

Criminal Defense Law Firm of Alcock and Associates

The criminal defense attorneys at Alcock and Associates have handled criminal cases in every court throughout Maricopa County. Over the years we have represented over 8000 clients charged with criminal offenses.

We have won criminal cases ranging from simple misdemeanors to homicides. If you have been charged with a criminal offense and are concerned about your future, please do not hesitate to call our criminal lawyers now. For more information and videos about specific crimes in Arizona, scroll down. Remember that every case is different, and this site is not intended to replace legal advice or promise any outcome.

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Assault

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING ASSAULT CASES IN ARIZONA

The crime of Assault in Arizona covers a very broad range of conduct. A misdemeanor assault is a touching with the intent to injure insult or provoke. If the victim is a public official or police officer, a weapon was used, or there was serious bodily injury, assault can be charged as a felony.

Assault is also complicated if the alleged victim lives at the same address as the accused. The crime of domestic violence is a separate designation, and can lead to serious consequences for anyone who is found guilty.

The defenses to assault include self defense and defense of others. Another defense to assault is that the crime did not take place. In 2011 our firm won a jury trial involving a client who was threatened by a two men in a parking lot. The men later told the police that our client had pointed a gun at them. In Arizona, merely pointing a gun at someone can lead to charges of Aggravated Assault, a Class 3 Dangerous Offense. This crime carries with it significant mandatory prison time.

Our firm showed that the alleged assault never took place and that the so called victims had invented their story. If you need to contact a criminal defense lawyer about an assault case, give us a call and let us help you better understand your options. The consultation is free.

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Disorderly Conduct

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING DISORDERLY CONDUCT CASES IN ARIZONA

Disorderly conduct in Arizona is defined very broadly. It includes a variety of actions that at first glance don't seem illegal. For example, it is disorderly conduct to make any "protracted commotion directed at a lawful meeting." Unfortunately, the police do not uniformly charge people with disorderly conduct, and some people avoid charges while others are cited for felonies. Please contact one of our criminal defense attorneys to discuss the details of your case.

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Theft

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING THEFT CASES IN ARIZONA

Theft is a complicated crime that can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. How theft it charged depends on the value of what was taken. A complicating factor is that criminal defendants are also responsible for the value of items taken by accomplices. As a result, a person caught up in a broad conspiracy may be charged with a very serious felony even if their own actions were minor.

In 2011 our firm represented a woman charged with multiple counts of theft. She was arrested with another person who was the mastermind of the operation. Even though her role in the theft was relatively minor, the prosecutor charged her with felony convictions and extended a plea offer for multiple years in prison.

After showing the prosecutor the details of the offense, our firm was able to secure a plea agreement for probation and no jail. At the completion of probation, her offense will be designated a misdemeanor and she will not have a felony on her record. If you need to speak with an attorney about a theft case in city, justice or Superior Court, give us a call today for a free consultation.

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Domestic violence

Various charges including assault, criminal damage, and crimes against children can be classified as domestic violence offenses. The criminal defense attorneys at Alcock and Associates can handle all varieties of domestic violence offenses. What makes a domestic violence charge different from regular charges? In general, the police will look to see if the accused and victim have a romantic relationship, are related or are living together. Domestic violence is a very serious allegation, because a conviction can result in substantial penalties, including significant jail time, counseling classes, and the loss of one's right to bear arms. If you would like to speak with a criminal defense attorney about a crime of domestic violence, please contact us for a free consultation.

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Drug possession

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA CASES IN ARIZONA

There is a significant difference between drug possession and possession of drugs for sale in Arizona. First offenders charged with drug possession typically are given a chance to enroll in a diversion program. Notable exceptions are if the person has prior convictions for drug offenses or any violent offenses.

If diversion is an option, you will probably get a letter in the mail highlighting the how the program works. Even if you do not receive a letter, diversion may be available to you at court. The criminal defense attorneys at Alcock and Associates are more than happy to tell you how to enroll in the program and what to expect.

Possession of a Dangerous Drug

In general, the prosecutors office prosecutes cases involving methamphetamine differently than other drugs. It is safe to say that the average plea offer is harsher. Please feel free to contact our criminal defense attorneys for a free case evaluation.

Possession of a Narcotic Drug

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Driving Under the Influence

Please check out our DUI site www.alcocklaw.com/DUI

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Sex Crimes

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING SEX CRIMES CASES IN ARIZONA

In the face of sex offense charges, we know what our clients' goals are, and we zealously pursue those goals on their behalf, as follows:

• Reduction or elimination of jail time
• Dismissal of charges when evidence is shaky or was obtained unconstitutionally
• Reduction of charges from felonies to misdemeanors
• Prevention of penalties such as sex offender registry requirements
• Prevention of penalties such as probation
• White collar crime: In many cases involving allegations of white collar crimes, a plea bargain can be devised whereby the alleged violator will work out consequences by completing vocational training, making restitution, or otherwise demonstrating good faith to prevent further criminal activity.

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Computer crimes

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING COMPUTER CRIME CASES IN ARIZONA

Computer crimes are still relatively new phenomena that have not yet been fully explored or properly addressed by our legal system. Still, most questionable activities that take place on computers are outlawed by other criminal statutes and can be prosecuted.

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Forgery

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING FORGERY CASES IN ARIZONA

Forgery and fraud are common white collar criminal charges which call for the experienced advocacy of a criminal defense attorney who has handled similar cases. Forgery in Arizona involves the alteration of any written instrument. Typical cases included the alteration of checks, contracts or other documents. Please contact one of our criminal defense lawyers to examine the specific details of your case.

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Homicide

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING HOMICIDE CASES IN ARIZONA

Our firm has represented many people charged with homicide offenses. Due to the serious nature of this crime, we ask you to contact an attorney immediately.

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Misconduct Involving Weapons

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING WEAPONS MISCONDUCT CASES IN ARIZONA

In Arizona, the law liberally permits people to carry firearms. However, should a person be a prohibited possessor, they will be charged with a felony. The problem with misconduct involving weapons is that most people who are prohibited possessors have felony records. As such, the prosecution many times will make plea offers that are very harsh and involve significant prison time. Please feel free to contact our criminal defense attorneys if you have any questions about this crime

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Juvenile offenses

The criminal justice system works differently when juvenile crimes are at issue. As defense attorneys, we know that we will be working with families, not just individual defendants, when we defend teenagers.

Juvenile Court is for children 18 and under. The juvenile court system is completely separate from the adult system. There, the court searches for solutions to help kids understand the causes of the behavior. Please give us a call if you have a question about a juvenile case.

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Probation violations

Root causes behind the alleged probation violation need to be explored to plan a strong defense. Is economic hardship a factor? Are there transportation issues? Family problems? Perhaps the alleged violations are actually the result of miscommunication in the bureaucratic probation system.

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Traffic violations

Maybe your traffic ticket is a simple thing that you can just pay and forget. Or maybe it is serious, with your record and your driving privileges at stake. For peace of mind, discuss your case with an experienced traffic violation defense attorney.

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Robbery

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING ROBBERY CASES IN ARIZONA

Robbery is similar in nature to theft, but it requires either a use of force or threatened use of force. Robbery can also be charged as a dangerous offense if a deadly weapon was used. Robbery is the type of offense that the Maricopa County Attorney's Office takes a hard line against. It is common for plea offers for robbery offenses to include significant jail or prison time.

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Shoplifting

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING SHOPLIFTING CASES IN ARIZONA

Shoplifting is the type of offense in Arizona that usually can be resolved with a diversion program. However, people charged with shoplifting who have multiple prior offenses on their record can face felony charges and prison time.

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Kidnapping

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING KIDNAPPING CASES IN ARIZONA

Our Criminal Defense Attorneys are available to answer any questions you have. Please call 602-989-5000

Kidnapping in Arizona is a crime that at first glance seems to require outrageous or violent behavior. But an examination of the statute shows that the prosecution can charge someone with the crime for merely restraining and placing another person in reasonable fear of physical injury. There are many instances in vehicles, for example, where a person does not pull over and let the other out. If a physical altercation occurs, the person driving can be charged with kidnapping. Furthermore, if the victim is under 15 years of age, the crime can carry with it enormously harsh penalties. The criminal defense attorneys at Alcock and Associates have seen numerous cases of kidnapping where domestic disputes have gotten out of control. The police and prosecution have much discretion to charge people with very serious crimes when the actual conduct is unintentional or taken out of context. Please feel free to contact our criminal defense law firm to schedule a consultation with a criminal attorney if you have any questions about kidnapping.

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Trespassing

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING TRESPASSING CASES IN ARIZONA

Our Criminal Defense Attorneys are available to answer any questions you have. Please call 602-989-5000

Criminal Trespassing in Arizona is normally charged as a misdemeanor unless the area trespassed is a home, church or critical public service facility. Trespassing is most commonly charged as a misdemeanor when business owners ask patrons to leave. Our criminal defense attorneys typically see charges arising from bar patrons who have been told to exit the building. Unfortunately, in those cases, it seems that the police have very little tolerance for anyone who does not immediately exit the establishment. Even a delay of a few seconds can result in criminal charges. Note that trespassing in a residence is a class 6 felony. Most of the time, prosecutors will make plea offers that will enable the defendant to have a misdemeanor on their record if they plead guilty. Obviously, every case is different, an please do not hesitate to contact our criminal defense attorneys for more information. Free consultation. 602-989-5000.

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Criminal Damage

Our Criminal Defense Attorneys are available to answer any questions you have. Please call 602-989-5000

Criminal Damage in Arizona is a crime that requires two elements. First, the property must not belong to another person. You may be surprised to learn that a married person may be convicted of criminal damage for destroying his property. Prosecutors have the ability to claim that because the property is also owned by the spouse, the property technically belongs to another person. The second element is that the property must have some value. The valuation of the property establishes the level of offense. A class 1 misdemeanor requires that the property have at least $250 of value. A class six felony is charged for valuation of $1000 to $2000. More serious felonies are charged for higher dollar amounts. If you have any questions about criminal damage in Arizona and you would like to speak with a criminal defense attorney, please do not hesitate to call us at 602-989-5000 for a free consultation.

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Burglary

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO REGARDING BURGLARY CASES IN ARIZONA

Our Criminal Defense Attorneys are available to answer any questions you have. Please call 602-989-5000

Burglary in Arizona is a trespassing case where the intent of the trespasser is to commit a theft or a felony. Note that the crime does not actually require the commission of a theft or felony. As a result, the statements made by the defendant are very important. The police must establish what was going on in the mind of the intruder. Because of this, burglary is the type of offense that an experienced criminal defense attorney can attack, assuming that there is a lack of evidence as to the reason why a perosn was found on a property. If you would like to speak with a criminal attorney about a theft case in Arizona, please do not hesitate to call us at 602-989-5000 for a free consultation.

Contact a Phoenix criminal defense attorney by phone or e-mail to schedule a free consultation. Our defense lawyers will take the time to listen to the facts of your case. You can expect our criminal law firm to give you the highest level of customer service. Call now 602-989-5000.

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