The state has investigators, prosecutors, and time. You need someone whose only job is your defense from the first moment you know you are a suspect.
The most consequential decisions in a criminal case are usually made before the first court date — sometimes before any charge is filed at all. A detective who calls 'just to get your side of the story,' a grand-jury subpoena delivered to your accountant, a search warrant served on your home or office, or a target letter from the United States Attorney's Office all signal an investigation that is already well underway. The instinctive response — explain, cooperate, clear it up — is almost always the wrong one. Statements made to investigators are admissible against the speaker in ways that statements made to counsel are not. Documents produced without privilege review become exhibits. Theories volunteered in an interview lock in defenses that might otherwise have remained available. We accept pre-charge clients precisely because the leverage to influence whether charges are filed at all — or filed as a misdemeanor rather than a felony — is at its peak before the case is publicly docketed.
Once charges are filed, the file moves through a defined sequence: initial appearance, arraignment, preliminary hearing or grand-jury indictment for felonies, comprehensive pretrial conference, settlement conference, and trial. Each stage has its own strategic considerations, and the decisions made at each stage compound. Waiving a preliminary hearing forecloses a powerful opportunity to lock in officer testimony under oath. Filing motions to suppress before plea discussions begin signals to the prosecution that the file will be litigated, not negotiated as a volume case. Requesting a Donald hearing to contest the basis for a no-contact or release condition can materially change the client's day-to-day life pending trial. We map the sequence at the first meeting so the client knows what is coming and why each step matters.
Resolution of a criminal case is more than the disposition entered on the docket. A conviction — even a misdemeanor — can affect employment, professional licensure, immigration status, firearm rights, housing, and federal student aid for years. Arizona allows set-aside of judgment under A.R.S. § 13-905 once probation is completed, and sealing of records under A.R.S. § 13-911 became available in 2023 for a broad range of offenses. We integrate the post-conviction relief plan into the original disposition discussion. A plea negotiated with set-aside and sealing eligibility in mind looks materially different from a plea negotiated only to minimize immediate jail exposure. The clients who fare best long-term are the ones whose attorneys planned for life after the case from the day the case opened.
At a glance
- Pre-charge intervention when you are under investigation.
- Felony and misdemeanor experience at every Maricopa County court.
- Set-aside and record-sealing assistance after case completion.
- Direct attorney access — including evenings and weekends.
Pre-charge representation
If you know you are being investigated, do not wait for charges. Early intervention has resolved more of our clients' matters than any motion ever filed in court.
Trial-ready, always
We prepare every case as if it will be tried. Prosecutors negotiate differently when the file across the table belongs to a firm that goes to trial.
Charges we handle
Theft and fraud, assault and aggravated assault, drug possession and sales, weapons offenses, domestic violence, white-collar matters, sex offenses, and probation violations.
Plea negotiation
Most charges resolve by plea. The leverage to negotiate a fair one comes from a defense file that demonstrates real trial readiness — not from a willingness to plead.
Post-conviction relief
Set-asides under § 13-905, sealing under § 13-911, restoration of civil rights and firearm rights, and post-conviction petitions when constitutionally warranted.
Representative results
Past outcomes do not guarantee a future result. Details are generalized to preserve client confidentiality.
- Pre-charge resolution of a white-collar investigation with no charges filed.
- Dismissal of an aggravated assault charge at preliminary hearing on self-defense grounds.
- Set-aside and case sealing under §§ 13-905 and 13-911 for a longtime client years after sentence completion.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Talking to investigators before counsel is retained — even 'witness' interviews.
- Posting about the case, the alleged victim, or the agency on social media.
- Missing a probation appointment or failing a drug screen between arraignment and disposition.
Fees
Flat-fee billing with defined scope and structured payment plans. Bond and restitution are quoted separately.
How a case moves through our office
- 01
Confidential intake
We map the allegations, the agency, and the exposure before recommending next steps.
- 02
Investigation
Witness interviews, scene work, expert retention, and discovery review.
- 03
Motions practice
Suppression, Dessureault, Donald, and other targeted motions where supported.
- 04
Resolution
Negotiated plea, diversion, dismissal, or trial.
Governing law
- A.R.S. Title 13
- Arizona criminal code.
- A.R.S. § 13-905
- Set-aside of judgment after completion of sentence.
- A.R.S. § 13-911
- Sealing of criminal case records.
Citations are general references, not legal advice. Statutes are amended; consult counsel for the current text as it applies to your matter.
Criminal Defense by city
Each page below covers the local court, ZIP codes, neighborhoods, and the issues that come up most in that city.
Common questions
- Should I talk to the police?
- Not without counsel. Politely decline and call us — at any hour.
- Will I go to jail?
- It depends on the charge, your history, and the facts. We will tell you the realistic exposure at the first meeting.
- Can my case be dismissed?
- Sometimes — through diversion, motion practice, or insufficient evidence. We pursue every avenue before negotiating.
- Will I have a record?
- Arrest records and case files can often be sealed after completion under § 13-911.
- Are payment plans available?
- Yes. We offer flat-fee billing on most matters with structured payment plans.