Chandler Criminal Defense Attorney

Getting charged with a crime can be a stressful and difficult experience to go through, regardless of what you have been accused of. Penalties for crimes committed in Arizona tend to be severe. A qualified Chandler criminal defense attorney from AZ Defenders is ready to assist you if you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime. Our team has accumulated considerable experience across the state and is ready to provide the qualified representation you deserve. When you need help, contact us today.

What Do the AZ Defenders Bring to Your Case?

When you or a loved one are facing serious criminal charges, turn to a criminal defense attorney with the trust of the Arizona legal community. AZ Defenders is ready to help.

  • With more than two decades of combined legal experience in the criminal justice arena, we are ready to represent you diligently in the courtroom.
  • Our Chandler criminal defense lawyers are considered some of the most aggressive in the United States.
  • We do not simply settle for guilty pleas, and we have no problem taking your case to trial.

Former Client Insights

Great lawyers. They have been helping me with a case for a little bit of time now. Holly, Lesley, and Craig are a wonderful team. I would and have recommended them to friends.

– Abigail D.

Chandler Criminal Defense Lawyer

What Criminal Charges Do the AZ Defenders Address?

There are many offenses that a person in Chandler, Arizona, could face. The team at AZ Defenders handles all areas of criminal defense. Without listing all of the charges we are capable of helping defend a person against, we commonly handle the following types of cases:

Our team has vast experience helping people charged with misdemeanors or felonies in the state of Arizona. We understand that a guilty conviction for these crimes can include a range of punishments, such as jail or prison time, lengthy probation, and major fines. In some cases, a person could lose their driving privileges. We also know that sex crimes often require a person to register as a sex offender, and we work diligently to avoid this possibility.

What Are Arizona’s Classifications of Crimes?

The classification of your crime – felony, misdemeanor or petty offense – can significantly impact your future. A conviction for a petty offense, for example, will lead to much less serious penalties than a felony. Every state puts different crimes into distinct categories.

  • Petty offense. A petty offense, sometimes called an infraction, in Arizona is the most minor classification. Petty offenses are generally not punishable with jail time. Instead, the defendant may have to pay a fine. Examples of petty offenses include traffic tickets, possession of tobacco by a minor, and scalping.
  • Misdemeanor. A crime punishable with up to six months in jail and/or $2,500 in fines in Arizona. Examples include theft of less than $1,000, assault, disorderly conduct, domestic violence, driving under the influence, minor drug charges, and criminal speeding or racing. There are Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 misdemeanors.
  • Felony. A felony is the most severe type of criminal charge in Arizona. Most violent crimes are felonies, including assault with a deadly weapon and homicide. White-collar crimes can also be felonies. Felony convictions can carry sentences such as years to life in prison, hefty fines and the death sentence.

When you hire a Chandler defense attorney from AZ Defenders, we can analyze the classification of your crime under Arizona law and factor it into the legal strategy we create in your defense. The actions we take toward a resolution can depend on the classification of your alleged crime.

What Is Arizona’s Criminal Trial Process? 

Clients ask us many questions about the criminal trial process. It is the center of most criminal cases, where your lawyer will state your case and argue for a resolution on your behalf. When you hire a defense attorney from AZ Defenders, a trusted professional will walk you through a trial and stand by your side during your day in court. Your lawyer can guide you through each step of the trial process in Arizona.

  1. Initial appearance and arraignment. You will appear briefly in court after your arrest for a judge to issue the conditions of your release. The judge will also schedule your arraignment – the first hearing, where the judge will read the charges and take your plea.
  2. Pre-trial conference. Before the trial, your lawyer will have the opportunity to try to work out a plea deal with the prosecution. You could change your plea at this stage if desired.
  3. Jury selection. If your case proceeds to a criminal trial, it will begin with jury selection. The judge and attorneys on both sides will ask potential jurors questions until they are satisfied with a group of 12.
  4. Opening statements. Your trial will begin with your lawyer and the lawyer for the prosecution presenting their sides of the case and what jurors will learn during the trial.
  5. Witness testimony. Each side will bring witnesses to the stand to testify, as well as present key evidence. Both sides will also be able to cross-examine witnesses.
  6. Closing arguments. After evidence presentation and witness testimony, both sides will give overviews of the case and end with closing arguments.
  7. Jury deliberation. The jury of 12 will deliberate over the verdict – guilty or not guilty – until they have made a unanimous decision. The jury must find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction.

If you receive a guilty verdict, you and your lawyer will either discuss the option of an appeal or you will complete the conditions of your sentence. Your lawyer may be able to enter a motion for a new trial or motion for an acquittal, or else file an appeal on your behalf. Otherwise, you will complete your sentence, which could include jail time, fines, probation and/or house arrest.

How Can a Chandler Criminal Defense Attorney Help?

Your criminal defense lawyer in Chandler can handle almost every aspect of your case while you focus on your wellbeing, mental health, family, and future. Your defense lawyer can give you important peace of mind in knowing that an aggressive litigator is fighting for your rights. You can have the highest possible chances of a positive outcome or satisfactory deal when you hire a defense lawyer in Arizona to look out for your best interests. Your attorney will take care of the difficult and complex aspects of your case for you.

A defense lawyer can start by investigating your case and differentiating fact from fiction. Once your lawyer has a good understanding of your case and the charges against you, he or she may try to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution if your lawyer believes this is your best option. Your lawyer may be able to talk the charges against you down from a misdemeanor to a petty offense, for example, leading to lesser penalties. Several factors can play a part in working out a plea deal. Your lawyer can navigate politics, public pressure and a clogged justice system on your behalf. If a plea deal is not the best option for you, your lawyer can take your case to trial instead.

Your lawyer may advise you to plead not guilty and fight the charges against you, depending on the situation. Tasks a defense attorney in Chandler can complete for you include formulating a plan, gathering evidence, subpoenaing witnesses, analyzing the case against you, summarizing potential sentences and reviewing your arrest for signs of police misconduct. Your lawyer can answer any questions or concerns you may have about your case while fighting for the best possible outcome. Finally, a good defense attorney can address your fears, anxieties, humiliations and frustrations as you both deal with the criminal justice system together.

What to Look for in a Criminal Defense Lawyer

The key to a smooth criminal trial process is having the right criminal defense lawyer representing you. Having a lawyer protecting your rights and fighting for the best outcome on your behalf could lead to a lighter sentence, a satisfactory plea deal, lesser charges or acquittal. When your future is on the line, do not put your faith in just any attorney. Look for the right representative for your specific case.

  • Experience with the type of charge against you
  • Knowledge about your practice area
  • A history in the local court circuit
  • A positive reputation in the industry and community
  • Responsive and communicative lawyers
  • Fees within your budget (or a payment plan)
  • Someone with which you personally feel comfortable

The criminal defense attorneys at AZ Defenders offer free consultations to potential clients. We can sit down with you or speak over the phone about your case in 100% confidence. Our Chandler criminal defense lawyers can provide an overview of your rights and possible options after listening to your scenario. If we offer to represent you, we can proceed to craft an effective and strategic defense on your behalf.

Does Arizona Have a Criminal Statute of Limitations?

If you commit a crime or someone suspects you of doing so, the prosecution may only file charges against you within a certain amount of time from the date of the alleged crime. The deadline for bringing criminal charges is called the statute of limitations. If the prosecution misses the statute of limitations on your alleged crime, it cannot file charges against you.

Arizona does not have a statute of limitations on crimes involving violent sexual assault or murder. Most other felony crimes carry statutes of limitations of seven years. Misdemeanors generally come with time limits of one year from the date of the alleged crime. Petty offenses have six-month statutes of limitations. Finally, crimes involving public records or public money also do not have statutes of limitations. Note that federal crimes could have different time limits.

Criminal Defense Attorney Chandler

What Are Common Defenses to Criminal Charges in Arizona?

Regardless of what kind of crime someone is facing, they will always be better off by having a skilled criminal defense attorney in Chandler, AZ by their side. An attorney that you secure, as opposed to a public defender, will be completely focused on your case. They will be able to analyze every aspect of your case and work to formulate the best defense strategy possible. Some of the most common defenses that an attorney could use for a criminal case include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • You have a strong alibi for your case
  • Police improperly handled your case
  • There was a mistaken identity
  • Your right to a speedy trial was violated
  • The facts of the case do not match the charges applied
  • You were defending yourself or your property at the time of the incident
  • A mistake of law has occurred in your case

Steps to Follow If You’re Arrested in Arizona

If the police arrest you in Arizona, try to remain calm and protect your rights. You have the right to remain silent during an arrest and police questioning. Utilize this right to avoid saying anything that could hurt your case or incriminate you. The police can use anything you say as evidence against you during a trial. Rather than speaking to the arresting officers or anyone at the station, politely state that you are using your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent until you have an attorney present.

Cooperate with police officers and staff members while at a station in Arizona. Remember, however, that you are not legally obligated to answer any questions (except to give your name). Ask for your phone call, but know that the station will make you wait to call someone until after they have processed you. When you can make a phone call, dial AZ Defenders directly at (480) 456-6400 or call a family member and tell him or her to call us for you. Our experienced Chandler criminal defense attorneys can explain what to do next.

Speak to a Chandler Criminal Defense Lawyer Today


If you or a loved one have been charged with a crime in Arizona, do not simply hand your case over to an overworked public defender. At AZ Defenders, we pledge to handle every aspect of your case and to treat you with dignity and respect. Our Chandler and Phoenix criminal defense lawyers will investigate every aspect of your case in an effort to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed. You can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling (480) 456-6400.