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Being convicted of a crime in Arizona will create a permanent criminal record. The more you know about criminal records, including how to look them up and who has access to them, the better you will understand your own situation if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in Arizona. Knowledge about criminal record searches can allow you to be more proactive in understanding, correcting and setting aside your criminal record.

How to Obtain a Criminal Record Report in Arizona

A criminal record may be stored in multiple locations by several different agencies, including law enforcement offices, state
Continue Reading How to Look Up Criminal Records in Arizona

Although Arizona has a limited expungement law on the books, if it does not apply to you then once you are convicted of a crime it will stay on your record forever. Fortunately, that’s not the end because Arizona law also allows those convicted of certain crimes to apply to have their convictions set aside.

What Does a Set Aside Do?

If the court grants it a set aside petition sets aside the judgment of guilt. That means that you are no longer guilty of the offense that you were convicted of. The charging instrument, be it a complaint, an
Continue Reading Should I Bother to Apply for A Set Aside?

Arizona penalizes all sex crimes involving children harshly. This includes the offense of furnishing harmful or obscene materials to a minor. If you are accused of this crime, it is important to contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights. You could be at risk of serious and life-changing criminal consequences.

Arizona Law Protects Minors From Harmful Materials

According to Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) Section 13-3506, it is unlawful to recklessly “furnish, present, provide, make available, give, lend, show, advertise or distribute” any item to a minor that is harmful to minors, with knowledge
Continue Reading Consequences of Furnishing Harmful or Obscene Materials to a Minor

The crime of indecent exposure in Arizona can lead to a felony conviction in Arizona with serious penalties, including a prison term of up to 15 years under aggravating circumstances. If you or someone you love has been wrongfully accused of indecent exposure, it is critical to contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible for assistance. A lawyer can help you understand and defend your rights as a suspect in an indecent exposure case.

Elements of the Crime of Indecent Exposure

Indecent exposure is defined in Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Section 13-1402 as exposing one’s genitals or anus
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“Romeo and Juliet” laws, named after the famous William Shakespeare play, deal with relationships between two people who are young in age. Every state has age of consent laws that impose a minimum age at which individuals can consent to engage in sexual activity. Some states, including Arizona, have Romeo and Juliet laws that provide limited exceptions to this rule.

The Age of Consent in Arizona Is 18

Like many other states, Arizona’s age of consent is 18. An individual must be at least 18 years of age to give his or her legal consent to sexual conduct. Engaging in
Continue Reading What Is Arizona’s “Romeo and Juliet” Law?

Arizona’s “Dangerous Crimes Against Children” statute is primarily found in Title 13, Chapter 14, Section 13-705 of the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS). This law lists various crimes that, when committed against a minor under the age of 15, can come with greater potential penalties. If you are facing charges for an alleged dangerous crime against a child, don’t hesitate to contact AZ Defenders for a free legal consultation with a defense attorney.

Arizona Revised Statute Section 13-705

According to ARS § 13-705, dangerous crimes against children are defined as certain criminal offenses that took place when the victim was
Continue Reading What Is Arizona’s “Dangerous Crimes Against Children” Statute?

Certain laws in Arizona may apply to romantic relationships and dating scenarios. Various circumstances are viewed as illegal if they meet the definition of sexual exploitation, harassment or manipulation. One example is “sugar dating,” which refers to various dating arrangements characterized by one older, wealthy spouse and one young spouse in need of financial assistance. This type of dating could be viewed as exploitative and go against Arizona law.

What Is Sugar Dating?

Sugar dating is when two people with a disparity in income enter into a romantic relationship that is mutually beneficial for both of them. It occurs when
Continue Reading Is Sugar Dating Legal in Arizona?

“Sexting,” or sending sexually explicit text messages or images, is not a crime in Arizona when it takes place between two consenting adults. However, if sexts are sent to or from a minor under the age of 18 or one of the adults does not consent to receive a sext message, it could be considered harassment or another sexual offense.

When Is Sexting a Crime?

Sending explicit text messages or images by cell phone or messenger is generally not a crime in Arizona when between two consenting adults over the age of 18. Two adults who are in a romantic
Continue Reading Is Sexting Legal in Arizona?

The psychological and emotional effects of being falsely accused of a sex crime can be devastating. Methods to help you cope can make this difficult time more bearable and give you greater hope for your future. If you need legal help and representation from a high-quality sex crime defense lawyer after being falsely accused, contact AZ Defenders for a free and confidential case consultation.

Seek Legal Guidance

Being falsely accused of a sex crime can turn your life upside-down. You may lose friends and suffer serious harm to your reputation, as well as deal with a permanent criminal record, being
Continue Reading How to Cope After Being Falsely Accused of a Sex Crime

Human trafficking is a serious problem in Arizona, as the state’s proximity to Mexico, Las Vegas and California makes it a preferred area for this type of criminal activity. For this reason, Arizona has harsh laws against human trafficking and severe penalties for those convicted of this crime.

What Is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is often described as modern-day slavery. It means to take away someone’s freedom – through the use of fraud, force or coercion – for labor or commercial sexual activity for the purpose of making a profit. It refers to recruiting, transferring, transporting or harboring humans with
Continue Reading Arizona Laws Against Human Trafficking

Statutes of limitations are laws that impose deadlines on the right to file a civil lawsuit or bring criminal charges against an individual in Arizona. If the applicable statute of limitations expires, the city cannot file criminal charges against a suspect for an alleged sexual offense. The statute of limitations for sex crimes in Arizona varies based on the case.
No Statute of Limitations: Sex Crimes Against Children and Violent Sex Crimes
In Arizona, there is no statute of limitations for sex crimes committed against children under the age of 15. These crimes are often referred to as child molestation
Continue Reading What Is the Statute of Limitations for Sex Crimes in Arizona?

Being accused of a sex crime in Arizona is one of the most daunting and overwhelming things a person can experience. A sex crime conviction can have life-changing consequences, such as a prison sentence. It is critical to be aware of the resources that are available to you if you are facing allegations of sexual assault, rape or another sex crime in Arizona.
Consult With an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney at AZ Defenders
Your greatest resource and strongest ally if you have been accused of sex crime is a highly experienced and reputable criminal defense attorney. The sex crimes defense
Continue Reading Arizona Resources if You Have Been Accused of a Sex Crime

On-campus crimes at Arizona schools can include drug and alcohol offenses, rape or sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, and theft and robbery. If you are being accused of any type of on-campus crime, it is important to consult with a Tucson criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to help you protect your rights. You may be facing serious disciplinary actions from your school as well as criminal charges brought against you by city prosecutors.
Basic Disciplinary Process for an On-Campus Crime in Arizona
Educational institutions such as colleges and universities are governed by both federal law and institutional
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Evidence plays a critical role in establishing the guilt or innocence of the person being accused in a sex crime case in Arizona. Evidence can help the prosecution build a case against the defendant and allow an accused person to defend against criminal accusations. A sex crimes defense attorney in Phoenix can help you deal with evidence during your case.
Burden of Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
The burden of proof refers to the standard of evidence that must be met to demonstrate that a claim being made is true or valid. The burden of proof is assigned to different
Continue Reading Evidence and Sex Crime Cases: What to Know

Even if a sexual assault accusation is false, it could permanently affect your life. It is critical to take any allegations of sexual assault or abuse against you seriously. Take certain steps to protect yourself as much as possible during this uncertain time. Most importantly, contact a criminal defense attorney at AZ Defenders right away for assistance.
Use Your Right to Remain Silent
One thing you should not do under any circumstances is speak to the police about the case without your attorney present. Even if an officer seems friendly or says he or she believes you are innocent, do
Continue Reading What to Do if You Have Been Wrongfully Accused of Sexual Assault

If you are facing criminal charges for prostitution or sex solicitation in Arizona, protect yourself by hiring an experienced Phoenix prostitution defense lawyer  soon as possible. While prostitution is not classified as a sex crime in Arizona, you could still face serious potential penalties if convicted. A criminal defense attorney can build the strongest possible defense on your behalf.
Lack of Intent
Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) Section 13-3214 states that prostitution is a class 1 misdemeanor crime. ARS 13-3211 defines prostitution as “engaging in or agreeing or offering to engage in sexual conduct under a fee arrangement with any person
Continue Reading Common Defenses for Prostitution in Arizona