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Getting charged with a crime can be a scary and confusing experience. If you or someone you love is facing Arizona criminal charges, you need to turn to a Gilbert criminal defense attorney you can trust. At AZ Defenders, we are ready to help. Our lawyers have the resources and experience to investigate the claims against you and build a solid defense on your behalf.
When you are facing criminal charges in Gilbert, you need to turn to a trusted criminal attorney with extensive resources and experience. At AZ Defenders, we are ready to help.
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.
When you are facing a criminal charge, you need an attorney who will put all of their resources into your case. For criminal charges in Gilbert, your attorney will work to obtain all evidence in your case. They will also uncover facts about the case that can be used to build your defense. A proper defense of a person charged with a crime will vary depending on the nature of the charges. However, some of the most common defenses our Gilbert criminal defense attorneys have experience with include:
While hiring a Gilbert criminal defense lawyer can do wonders for your case, you also have the ability to influence its outcome. Reacting correctly to an arrest can be imperative for protecting your rights and avoiding self-incrimination. Although an arrest can be frightening, do your best to remain calm and take a few critical actions to positively impact your case:
The most important thing to remember after an arrest in Arizona is your right to remain silent. Many criminal defendants hurt their own cases by revealing incriminating information. Even if you think what you are saying will help your case, the police can twist your words and use them against you. The best way to protect your rights after an arrest is to stay silent and hire a defense attorney immediately.
There are many criminal charges that a person in Gilbert could face. At AZ Defenders, we focus on all areas of criminal defense, and regularly help clients get through the following types of charges:
An important thing to know if you wish to estimate the penalties you face for a criminal conviction is the classification of the crime. Your criminal defense lawyer in Gilbert can help you understand the classification of your charge, as well as the potential penalties and how to reduce your charges, if possible. In Arizona, the criminal courts classify crimes into three main categories:
A crime in Arizona could also fall under the classification of a wobbler. This describes an offense that could either be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Wobblers can be downgraded either at the start of a case or at the time of sentencing. A felony crime that is a wobbler, for example, could receive a misdemeanor level of punishment at the time of sentencing, making it a misdemeanor conviction rather than a felony.
The statute of limitations on a criminal case in Arizona is the deadline by which the prosecution must bring a criminal charge. Statutes of limitations are in place to keep the criminal justice system fair for both sides of a case. Their goal is to preserve evidence, including DNA evidence and eyewitness testimony, by encouraging the prosecution to come forward promptly with a charge. It also helps the justice system stay more efficient. Different types of criminal charges come with different statutes of limitations in Arizona.
The statute of limitation is tolled, or paused, when the suspect is absent from the state or when his or her identity is unknown. If a prosecutor waits too long and exceeds the statute of limitations for the alleged crime committed, the prosecutor will no longer have the ability to bring the charge at all.
For the most part, a criminal court in Gilbert will refuse to hear a case brought after an expired statute of limitations. Even if the court accepts the case, your lawyer can use the missed deadline as a reason to request case dismissal. The odds are low of a criminal charge going through if the prosecution has already missed the statute of limitations for the specific crime. A criminal defense lawyer can let you know the exact statute of limitations on your case.
Every criminal defendant in the U.S. has the right to hire a lawyer for defense. The defense strategy you use can be critical to the fate of your case and your future. It is extremely important to hire a criminal defense attorney in Gilbert that will use aggressive and tailored legal strategies. The right lawyer will use the ideal defense strategy for your situation, the facts of the case, the charges against you and your criminal record.
It is the prosecution’s responsibility to prove you committed the crime in question beyond a reasonable doubt. Your defense lawyer will have the opportunity to refute or answer each claim made by the prosecution to reduce your chances of a conviction. If your defense lawyer succeeds in planting enough doubt that a jury cannot rule you guilty, you will either receive an acquittal or the courts will dismiss the charges based on a hung jury. Discuss the possible defense strategies available for your specific case in more detail with a lawyer.
Criminal charges can lead to severe and lifelong consequences for those convicted. The list of crimes here is certainly not complete, and you should speak to a qualified Gilbert criminal defense attorney from AZ Defenders about the particulars of your specific case. A guilty conviction of a misdemeanor or felony charge could lead to a range of punishments, including:
Criminal charges will also result in a permanent mark on your record, which can make it difficult to gain employment, attend school, or find housing.
Most defense attorneys in Arizona charge either flat fees or hourly rates. Hourly rates are more common due to the highly variable nature of each criminal case. Charging a flat fee may not make sense if the services rendered are substantially different from one case to the next. The total cost of your defense attorney will depend on how many hours the lawyer must spend on litigating your case. Hourly billing rates among defense lawyers can differ significantly. Ask your potential Gilbert criminal attorney about his or her rates before you sign.
One of the most common questions we receive at AZ Defenders is how much it costs to hire our defense lawyers. We understand that cost is often a cause for concern, especially after an arrest. Our lawyers do our best to make our fees transparent, easy to understand and affordable. We base our rates on each specific situation based on the facts of the case and how difficult it will be to litigate. If your case involves complex issues and will take a long time to negotiate, we may charge more than our services on a simple case. We will always let you know the price of our services ahead of time.
The U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to counsel as a criminal defendant. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney, the courts in Arizona will appoint a public defender for you. The courts will make this decision based on your income and assets available. if you can afford a private attorney, going this route could lead to a stronger defense. A private lawyer generally has more time and resources to spend on defending you. Using a public defender, however, is still better than trying to represent yourself.
If you or a loved one have been charged with a crime in Gilbert, Arizona, you need to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At AZ Defenders, our knowledgeable and experienced team will get to work on your behalf today. We have the resources and experience to fully investigate the charges against you. When you need an aggressive Gilbert criminal offense lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case online or by calling our local law office at (480) 456-6400.