Have you been arrested in the state of Arizona? Per state law, there are certain procedures and protocols that must be followed, and the process can last weeks or even months. You may be feeling nervous and wondering what your future holds. You can take a step towards finding the answer by finding a qualified Arizona criminal defense attorney to fight for your rights. Your lawyer cannot guarantee any particular outcome, but you can learn what your options are for developing a defense and what potential penalties you face as a result of a conviction. The earlier you get help, the better your chances are of getting a positive outcome.
Based on their years of experience, a qualified Arizona criminal attorney can let you know what to expect from the process and explain the positives and negatives of pursuing the different courses of action available to you. This can help take some of the uncertainty out of the situation. With a strategy in place, you and your lawyer can work towards winning your case or getting the charges reduced.
You should understand your rights before you go to trial. An even better scenario is getting help from a criminal lawyer before you are charged, even if you are just being questioned or are a person of interest. You can protect yourself from being charged in the first place. Understanding how the legal system works can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case.
What Do Criminal Defense Attorneys Handle?
If you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime in Arizona, then you need to get a criminal defense attorney. Criminal lawyers handle all types of cases, such as burglary, domestic violence, forgery, drug cases, murder, weapons charges, assault and battery, sexual battery and rape, lewd and lascivious behavior, DUI, and more.
Depending on the severity of the crime, you can be charged with different levels in the same category. One example is assault and battery. You could be charged with a wide range of crimes: assault, aggravated assault, battery, felony battery, and aggravated battery. Each crime has a specific definition and related penalties.
A crime that is very common is a DUI, or driving under the influence charge. The penalties you face will depend on what your level of blood alcohol content was at the time of arrest and the number of past DUI convictions you have. Many people believe that if they fail a breathalyzer test, they have no possible defense. This isn’t true. There are many strategies available. For instance, the test results may have been incorrect due to improper machine calibration, improper usage of the device, or your body’s physiology.
If you are facing criminal charges of any kind, it’s to your advantage to hire an Arizona criminal attorney to work towards the best possible outcome.
Arizona Police Departments
When you are charged with a crime, you will be taken to the police department where the arresting officer is stationed. It is not based on your residence or place of work. For this reason, it can be good to know where the police departments are located near you.
If you are brought in for questioning, you have the right to have an attorney present, so ask to speak with your lawyer before answering.
Here is contact information for the police department in Tempe, Arizona:
Tempe Police Department
120 E 5th Street
Tempe, Arizona 85281
Phone: (480) 350-8306
Fax: (480) 350-8337
Website
Email
Courthouses
When you stand trial, you will head to the municipal court closest to where your arrest happened. If you were arrested in Tempe, or anywhere else in Maricopa County, you will likely be headed to the Tempe Municipal Court.
Tempe Municipal Court
140 East 5th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281
Website
Most cases stop there, but if you file an appeal of the verdict that is given at your trial, your case will go to higher court. For a case at Tempe Municipal Court, this would usually mean moving over to Maricopa County Superior Court.
Maricopa County Superior Court
201 W. Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Website
If your case is then appealed again, you will usually go to the state’s highest court, the Arizona Supreme Court.
Arizona Supreme Court
1501 W. Washington, Suite 402
Phoenix, AZ 85007-3232
602-452-3396
Email
If you are facing criminal charges, get help. Call us now to speak with a knowledgeable, experienced Arizona criminal defense lawyer.