Under Arizona law, arson of an occupied structure means knowingly and unlawfully damaging a structure by causing a fire or explosion, where the structure is occupied or likely to be occupied by people at the time of the incident.

Arson of an occupied structure is a Class 2 felony offense and the most serious form of arson, which can lead to a prison sentence of up to 12.5 years upon conviction, and that’s if you do not have any prior felony convictions.

At AZ Defenders, our Arizona criminal defense attorneys represent people charged with many kinds of crimes, including arson…
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In Arizona, it is unlawful to cause a child to suffer physical injury, to allow a child to be injured, or to put a child in a situation that endangers that child’s health or well-being. These behaviors are known as child abuse.

Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Section 13-3623 is the Arizona law that sets forth criminal child abuse. The law applies to anyone responsible for a child’s care, regardless of that person’s relationship to the child. It covers physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, and/or abandonment.

A conviction for child abuse can range from a Class 1 misdemeanor up to…
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Under Arizona law, the crime of theft can take different forms. Depending on the specific kind of theft, the crime can be a misdemeanor or a felony.

In this post, we at AZ Defenders analyze Arizona’s theft crime statute, Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Section 13-1802. We identify the various types of theft, the penalties associated with each, and some possible defenses to a charge of theft.

If you are facing criminal charges for theft in Arizona, call AZ Defenders at (480) 456-6400 or contact us online to speak with one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys.

How Does Arizona…
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Under Arizona law, organized retail theft can occur in one of two ways:

• When a person, acting alone or with someone else, takes merchandise from a retail establishment without paying for its purchase price and has the intention to sell, trade, or otherwise receive money or something of value for that merchandise; or
• When a person uses an artifice, instrument, container, device, or other article to facilitate the removal of merchandise from a retail establishment without paying its purchase price.

Organized retail theft is a Class 4 felony in Arizona under Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Section 13-1819. A first-time…
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In Arizona, first-degree burglary is a more serious variation of second- or third-degree burglary. The legal definition of first-degree burglary is that a person or an accomplice commits a second-degree or third-degree burglary offense while knowingly in possession of explosives, a deadly weapon, or a dangerous instrument during the commission of the offense.

Under Arizona law, a first-degree burglary conviction is a Class 2 felony or Class 3 felony, depending on the nature of the property that was burglarized, which may result in up to 21 years in prison for a first time offender.

AZ Defenders represents people charged…
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Under Arizona law, a person commits second-degree burglary when that person unlawfully enters or remains in a residential structure with the intent to commit any theft or any felony inside. 

A conviction for second-degree burglary is a Class 3 felony in Arizona that can result in a prison term of up to 8.75 years for a first offense.

In this post, we consider the following aspects of second-degree burglary:

• How Arizona law defines the offense
• Penalties for a conviction
• Possible defenses

AZ Defenders represents clients accused of all forms of burglary charges in Arizona, including second-degree burglary.

If you have…
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In Arizona, you commit a third-degree burglary offense if you enter or remain in a commercial or other non-residential structure, or a fenced yard, with the intent to commit theft or a felony offense, or making entry into any part of a motor vehicle by means of a manipulation key or master key, with the intent to commit any theft or felony in the motor vehicle

Compared to first-degree burglary and second-degree burglary, third-degree burglary is the least serious form of burglary, but a conviction for third-degree burglary is still a Class 4 felony. For a first-time offender, this…
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Under Arizona law, prostitution is a Class 1 misdemeanor that carries a maximum punishment of six months in jail with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 days in jail for a first-time offender, up to $2,500 in fines plus additional surcharges, and up to three years of probation.

The Phoenix prostitution crimes attorneys at AZ Defenders can help you defend yourself if you are charged with prostitution in Arizona. Our Phoenix criminal defense lawyers have the experience necessary to help you get the best possible result from your case. 

To find out how we can help you, call us at…
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Arizona law defines second‑degree murder (without premeditation) to include intentionally causing death, knowingly engaging in conduct that will cause death or serious physical injury that results in death, or—under circumstances showing extreme indifference to human life—recklessly engaging in conduct that creates a grave risk of death and thereby causes death.

A conviction of second-degree murder in Arizona is a Class 1 felony, the most severe level of felony under state law. So, if you are facing a second-degree murder charge, having effective legal counsel is essential.AZ Defenders represents clients charged with all kinds of homicide in Arizona, including second-degree murder.
Continue Reading Second-Degree Murder in Arizona: ARS 13-1104

The most serious crime you can be charged with in Arizona is first-degree murder as described by Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 13-1105. No other crime in Arizona carries the possibility of a Class 1 felony sentence of death upon conviction.

There are three kinds of first-degree murder: premeditated murder, felony murder, and murder of a law enforcement officer.

In this post, we examine the three types of first-degree murder, how a court decides whether to impose the death penalty or life imprisonment for a first-degree murder conviction, and the possible defenses that exist to a first-degree murder charge.

If you…
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Domestic violence is an umbrella term that includes several crimes that one family or household member commits against another.

Depending on the specific underlying offense, domestic violence can be a misdemeanor or a felony-level offense.If you have been charged with domestic violence in Arizona, AZ Defenders can represent you in negotiations with prosecutors and/or in a criminal trial. Contact us at (480) 456-6400 to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney in a free consultation.

How Does Arizona Law Define Domestic Violence?

Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Section 13-3601 is the state’s domestic violence statute. It is a catch-all statute that…
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Manslaughter is a type of homicide charge that, under Arizona law, falls between homicide by criminal negligence and first-degree murder. It includes some forms of second-degree murder.

The Arizona law that defines manslaughter is Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) Section 13-1103. It identifies specific ways that manslaughter can occur. A conviction for manslaughter is a Class 2 felony.

In this post, we will cover the elements of a manslaughter offense that the prosecution must prove, the penalties for a manslaughter conviction, and possible defenses to a manslaughter charge.If you have been charged with any kind of homicide crime in…
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Arizona law classifies the crime of trespass into three degrees of severity. The most serious charge is first-degree criminal trespass. In this article, we consider what happens when a person commits criminal trespass in Arizona in the first degree.If you have been charged with first-degree criminal trespass under ARS 13-1504, please call AZ Defenders at (480) 456-6400.

What is Criminal First Degree Trespass Under Arizona Law?

Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 13-1504 defines what first-degree criminal trespass is. There are six ways to commit it:

• Knowingly entering or remaining in or on a residential structure.
• Knowingly entering or remaining in

…
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