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Arizona criminal law adheres to the principle of “let the punishment fit the crime” by categorizing criminal offenses into different levels of severity, including various degrees or “classes” of misdemeanors and felonies.

Here, we examine the most severe Arizona felony class: Class 1 Felonies.

No matter what kind of crime you may be charged with, including less serious crimes, the AZ Defenders law firm has Arizona criminal defense attorneys with over 100 years of combined practice experience who can stand between you and the state. We will zealously represent your interests during criminal investigations, plea negotiations, trials, and appeals.

If
Continue Reading Class 1 Felony Crimes in Arizona

One of the things that civilized societies seek to guarantee their residents is the right to live in peace. This means that certain disruptive behaviors that interfere with the right of others to live peaceably are prohibited by law.

Arizona is no exception to this rule and has its own disorderly conduct law that allows police to arrest people who violate it. If you have been charged with disorderly conduct in Arizona, the difference between being charged with a misdemeanor or a felony or having the charge against you dismissed can come down to the quality of your legal representation.
Continue Reading Arizona Disorderly Conduct Law: ARS 13-2904

Arizona statutes do not treat every criminal offense the same. Each charge is divided into one of the three categories based on their severity. These categories include petty offenses, misdemeanors, and felony offenses. 

On this page, we simplify understanding Arizona’s criminal laws by examining one class of misdemeanors: Class 3.

Have you been charged with a misdemeanor crime in Arizona? Our criminal defense experts at the AZ Defenders can help. We provide legal representation for clients accused of Class 3 misdemeanor charges in Arizona and all other kinds of petty offense, felony, and misdemeanor cases.

Call us at (480) 456-6400
Continue Reading Class 3 Misdemeanor Arizona Crimes

Arizona law divides crimes into three main categories: minor offenses, misdemeanors, and felonies. These categories range in severity. 

Felonies carry the most severe penalties, including state prison time instead of county jail sentences, longer periods of incarceration, and more costly financial penalties. In fact, the longest prison sentence you might face if convicted is 35 years.

At the AZ Defenders law firm, we represent clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies. If you are being accused of a criminal offense in Arizona, call us at (480) 456-6400. We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Here,
Continue Reading Class 2 Felony Arizona

Arizona criminal law statutes group crimes into three broad categories of severity: petty offenses, misdemeanor offenses, and felony crimes.

Here, we take an in-depth look at what a Class 1 Arizona misdemeanor is, what it can mean to you to be convicted of one, and how having the right criminal defense attorney on your side can help you if you are charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Have you been charged with a felony or misdemeanor criminal offense in Arizona? If so, contact us at the AZ Defenders as soon as possible. We are experienced criminal defense attorneys who have
Continue Reading Arizona Class 1 Misdemeanor Crimes

Arizona has many kinds of criminal laws: petty offenses, misdemeanors, felony offenses, and even additional classes of laws within felonies and misdemeanor offenses. If you are not an experienced Arizona criminal defense lawyer, it can be confusing to sort them all out.

On this page, we simplify how to understand Arizona’s criminal laws by closely examining one class of the state’s misdemeanor laws: Class 2 misdemeanors.

Have you been charged with a misdemeanor in Arizona? Our criminal defense experts at the AZ Defenders can help. We have represented clients accused of Class 2 misdemeanor charges in Arizona, as well as
Continue Reading Class 2 Misdemeanor Arizona Crimes

The Arizona legal system provides prosecutors and courts with many options to punish people who commit a criminal offense that the state wants to discourage. Aside from petty offenses, misdemeanor laws deal with minor infractions and are punishable by jail time. Felony laws exist to sanction more serious criminal offenses and carry a prison sentence for a person found guilty.

At the AZ Defenders law firm, we represent clients charged with misdemeanor and felony crimes. If you have been charged with a felony in Arizona, call us at (480) 456-6400 to talk with a highly experienced criminal defense attorney. We
Continue Reading Class 4 Felony Crimes in Arizona

Arizona law divides crimes into two main types: less serious crimes are classified as misdemeanors, and more serious crimes are classified as felonies. Felonies carry heavier penalties, like prison time instead of county jail, longer incarceration sentences, and more costly financial penalties.

At the AZ Defenders law firm, we represent clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies. If you are being accused of a criminal offense in the state of Arizona, call us at (480) 456-6400. We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

This article will cover Class 3 felony crimes in Arizona. We will discuss
Continue Reading Class 3 Felony Crimes in Arizona

Arizona laws cover a wide range of potential crimes and subsequent punishments. Crimes can vary in severity and are considered either felonies or misdemeanors. Within each of these two main categories, further subcategories exist. Here, we will discuss what a Class 5 felony crime in Arizona is.

No matter what level of crime you might be charged with in Arizona, having a criminal defense attorney like the one you will find at the AZ Defenders law firm can help you understand the charges and your legal rights to defend yourself. To speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, call our
Continue Reading Class 5 Felonies in Arizona

In Arizona, the penalties for committing sexual exploitation of a minor are some of the toughest in the nation. Laws surrounding these crimes are aggressively enforced by states, county, and local law enforcement agencies.

Of course, they are not the only agencies involved in sexual exploitation law enforcement. When child pornography is accessed online, federal child pornography laws come into play.

If you are facing Arizona or federal criminal charges involving child pornography, contact the AZ Defenders law offices immediately. Our Phoenix child pornography attorneys pride themselves on finding weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Call us at (480) 248-7666 for
Continue Reading Phoenix Child Pornography Attorney

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?