TUCSON CRIMINAL DEFENSE PRACTICE AREAS

DRUG CRIMES
Arizona has very strict drug laws, and Tucson has a lot of drug crimes.  Some of the drug crimes cases we handle include possession, possession for sale, trafficking, conspiracy, federal drug charges, and manufacturing.
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FEDERAL CRIMES
Facing Federal charges is very serious and intimidating.  Common Federal crimes include: drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, money laundering, mail fraud, wire fraud, illegal re-entry, felon in possession of a firearm, and more.
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DRUG TRAFFICKING
Drug crimes involving the sale, importation, transportation, cultivation, or manufacturing of illegal drugs are very prevalent in Tucson, and are harshly prosecuted in both state and federal court.  Nonviolent drug crimes can lead to a life sentence under Arizona law.
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MONEY LAUNDERING
Concealing the source of money, usually from illegal businesses such as narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, etc. is a serious crime, and can result in serious felony charges in state and federal court in Tucson and Southern Arizona.
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FRAUD
Fraud covers a wide range of crimes that use deception to obtain a benefit from another person.  Many of the more serious fraud crimes are charged in federal court, but fraud crimes in state court are also very serious in Arizona.  Some common examples of fraud crimes include: credit card fraud, mortgage fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud, bank fraud, false advertising, identity theft and more.
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MURDER
Murder is the intentional killing of a human being with malice.  In Arizona, murder can be charged in the first degree or in the second degree, with premeditation being the primary distinction, although a person can be charged with first degree murder under the felony murder rule, or for killing a certain class of victims (e.g. police officers).  Second degree murder can be charged even for unintentional killings, where the defendant is alleged to have acted with extreme indifference to human life.  In no other type of case is it more important to have a seasoned, talented trial lawyer on your side.
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ATTEMPTED MURDER
Attempted murder is one of the most serious charges a person can face in Arizona, even though no one was actually killed.  Attempted murder is commonly charged in cases involving shooting, stabbing, and even choking.  Prosecutors often overcharge assaults as attempted murder, and it is up to your defense attorney to fight the charges and protect your liberty.
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MANSLAUGHTER
Manslaughter is the unlawful, but unintentional killing of a human being that does not rise to the level of murder.  Common manslaughter scenarios include acting recklessly and unintentionally killing someone (involuntary manslaughter), and seemingly intentional killings when provoked or in the heat of passion (voluntary manslaughter).  Drunk driving resulting in death, providing a person with the means to commit suicide, and an intentional killing under threat or coercion are also examples of manslaughter.
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ALIEN SMUGGLING
Due to Tucson's proximity to the US-Mexico border, the District of Arizona is one of the most active Federal courts in the nation, which a large number of the cases in the Federal Courthouse in Tucson relating to alien smuggling.  In addition to federal criminal charges, individuals suspected of alien smuggling also often have their vehicles and other property seized by the federal government.  Our firm can assist with both criminal defense and asset recovery.
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CHILD SEX CRIMES
Sex crimes involving children are among the most harshly punished crimes, both under Federal and Arizona law.  Both crimes involving undercover police sting operations, and those with real complaining witnesses who are minors can result in very serious consequences, including very long prison sentences, many with mandatory prison, and some facing life imprisonment.
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FORGERY/COUNTERFEITING
Forgery and Counterfeiting can lead to serious charges in state and federal court.  From forging checks, IDs, and other documents, to counterfeiting money and brand named items, there are a host of felony charges a person can face for possessing, making, or selling forged or counterfeit items.
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JUVENILE CASES
Most juvenile cases are handled in the juvenile court, but for certain more serious or repeat felony offenses, minors as young as 14 can be charged as adults.  Juveniles charged with a crime, whether as juveniles or adults, have a right to an appointed lawyer, or a lawyer of their choosing.  For less serious offenses, there are diversion programs.  Additionally, an attorney can assist with setting aside a juvenile adjudication once you are an adult.
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EMBEZZLEMENT
Embezzlement is a specific kind of theft offense, where the stolen property or money was lawfully in the possession or control of the defendant, but was converted for the defendants own personal benefit.  This white collar crime is common in cases involving employers, but can also apply to a broad range of scenarios where entrusted money or other property is stolen.  Embezzlement involving federal government property, banking, lending, or insurance will likely result in federal criminal charges.
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GANG CASES
Both Arizona and Federal law provide for very strict penalties for gang-related crimes.  Otherwise less serious crimes could result in long prison sentences when organized crime or criminal street gangs are involved.  For these serious cases, it is important to have an experienced, knowledgeable lawyer on your side.
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CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Sexual exploitation of a child, including possession and sale of materials depicting minors engaged in sexual behavior is a very serious crime, both under state and federal law.  In Arizona, whether in state court or in federal court, these cases are harshly prosecuted.
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CRIMINAL DAMAGE ("VANDALISM")
Criminal damage is the reckless or intentional defacing or damage of the property of another.  Depending on the value of the property, and the type of property, criminal damage can be a very serious crime with serious consequences. 
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"EXPUNGEMENT" / SET ASIDE
Cleaning up your criminal history by setting aside a conviction, restoring civil rights, restoring gun rights, or withdrawing a plea can make a huge change in a person's life.  From having an easier time finding a job, to avoiding harsh immigration consequences, post-conviction relief may be available in your case.  Talk to a lawyer about your record, and see if there is anything that can be done to help you clean up your criminal history.
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CONSPIRACY
Generally, conspiracy is an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime in the future.  A person can be convicted of conspiracy even if no crime was later committed, and conspiracy is punishable as much as if the crime was completed.  Most common in federal court, conspiracy is a serious crime, and can involve almost any felony crime.
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AUTO THEFT/CARJACKING
Theft of Means of Transportation is a very serious offense in Arizona, and is a Class 3 felony.  Even taking a car without the owner's consent, with the intent to return it is a Class 5 felony, and there are other related offenses that are all punished severely under Arizona law.
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CHILD ENDANGERMENT AND ABUSE
Cases involving harm, or even risk of harm to children are treated very seriously in Arizona courts.  Although there are often false accusations and misunderstandings in regards to cases of child abuse, neglect, and endangerment, the strong intention of the law to protect children means that these cases are aggressively prosecuted, often resulting not only in criminal penalties, but in tearing families apart.  Thorough investigation and effective advocacy are especially important in cases involving child endangerment and child abuse.
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FAKE ID
Using a fake ID to purchase alcohol or gain entrance to a place where alcohol is sold is a Class 1 Misdemeanor in Arizona.  Having a fake ID to conceal citizenship status, or for any fraudulent purpose, as well as making/manufacturing fake IDs can result in more serious, felony charges.
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INTERFERE WITH JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
Interfering with judicial proceedings is a misdemeanor charge that can arise out of a person's behavior in a courtroom, or outside of a courtroom if there has been a court order (such as an order to stay away from a person or location). 
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HACKING AND CYBER-CRIMES
Both state and federal law punish tampering with computer systems quite harshly.  Tampering done from or to a computer system in Arizona can be prosecuted in state court, and any tampering involving interstate commerce or federal government property is a federal crime.
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THREATENING OR INTIMIDATION
Threats can be communicated in many ways, and can be of very different nature.  For the most part, threats (without other charges) are misdemeanors in Arizona unless the threat is alleged to have been made to promote or further gang activity. Very serious felony charges may be brought in federal court for threats communicated interstate or internationally, or against federal agents.
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ELDER ABUSE
Elder abuse encompasses a wide variety of criminal charges involving an elderly alleged victim.  Charges can include financial exploitation, physical/sexual/emotional abuse, neglect and more.  These cases are harshly punished and are investigated and prosecuted by specialized units who aim to fight against crimes targeting vulnerable victims. 
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EXTORTION
Theft by extortion is a felony offense in Arizona involving the taking of property or services by threats.  Threatening death or violence with a dangerous or deadly weapon is a Class 2 felony, where all other types of illegal threats are Class 4 felonies. 
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EVIDENCE TAMPERING
Tampering with physical evidence, or attempting to intimidate or influence a witness is a felony under both Arizona and Federal law.  It can be a serious crime to alter, destroy, or knowingly create false evidence, whether to cover up a crime for oneself or another person.
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AIDING & ABETTING
In Arizona, both under state law and federal law, a person can be charged with a crime as an accomplice for knowingly/intentionally assisting in the commission of the crime.  Accomplice liability is a complex topic in criminal law, and something that you will need to discuss carefully with your attorney.
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DISORDERLY CONDUCT
One of the broadest, and consequently most common criminal charges in Arizona is disorderly conduct.  Most often charged for inciting or engaging in fighting, making unreasonable noise, or failure to obey a lawful disbursement order, disorderly conduct is usually a misdemeanor.  Disorderly conduct involving a deadly weapon or dangerous weapon is a felony, and can be punished quite harshly.
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RESISTING ARREST
Resisting arrest is serious and dangerous, but these charges are defensible.  A commonly fabricated charge by police, these cases can be effectively defended by use of video footage, police discipline records, and more.  Related charges include aggravated assault on an officer, false reporting, and unlawful flight.
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PRE-FILING REPRESENTATION
In some cases, having an attorney available to you for consultation, to handle communication with the investigating and/or prosecuting agency, and to begin independent defense investigation can have the effect of avoiding prosecution altogether.  If a detective or agent has reached out to you to try to "get your side of the story" know that this is very likely an attempt to build a criminal case against you, and it is time to consult with, and potentially hire an attorney.
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DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (DUI)
Driving Under the Influence is one of the most common criminal charges in Arizona.  Penalties vary depending on criminal history, Blood Alcohol Concentration ("BAC"), and whether anyone was injured.  DUI laws are strict and complicated, but a great defense can go a long way.
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HOMICIDE CRIMES
Homicide is the unlawful killing of another person.  Under Arizona Law, there are four categories of homicide, first degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide.
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ASSAULT CRIMES
From simple assault, to aggravated assault, to sexual assault, all assault crimes are serious and require a vigorous defense.  If you or a loved one is facing assault charges, hire a lawyer with experience winning high-stakes violent crime trials.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Recent years have seen a sharp increase in domestic violence arrests and prosecutions.  DV cases are especially susceptible to false accusation, and accidents being mistaken for violent acts.  Arizonans charged with domestic violence need an experienced lawyer on their side to get the best result possible.
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THEFT CRIMES
Our firm handles every type of theft offense, from shoplifting and embezzlement, to more serious charges like burglary and robbery.  In addition to the harsh criminal penalties for theft crimes, avoiding a theft crimes conviction can be very important for immigration, employment, and professional licensing purposes.
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WEAPONS OFFENSES
Although Arizona weapon laws are not as strict as in some other jurisdictions, unlawful possession of firearms and other weapons can lead to serious charges.  The most common weapons offenses include possession by a prohibited person, possession in a restricted area, discharge of a firearm, and possession of a deadly weapon in furtherance of another crime.
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ROBBERY
Taking the personal property of another by force is a serious offense, whether armed or unarmed.  Bank and armored truck robberies are likely to end up in federal court, but Arizona law also harshly punishes all robberies.  Aggravated and armed robbery are treated even more seriously, with armed robbery designated a dangerous felony.
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BURGLARY
Entering a structure with the intent to commit a theft of any felony is a very serious crime, especially if the offense involves a residence, or a weapon.  It is not necessary to actually carry out any other crime to be guilty of burglary at the time of entry (with criminal intent).
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SEX CRIMES
Under both Arizona law and federal law, sex crimes are prosecuted aggressively and punished severely.  Some sex crimes include: sexual assault, molestation, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child pornography, and more.  Many sex crimes are punishable by long prison sentences, and sex offender registration.
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PROBATION VIOLATIONS
Probation violations and supervised release violations can carry very serious consequences, and provide defendants with fewer rights and protections to avoid imposition of lengthy sentences.  While criminal defendants must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, have the right to a trial by jury, and only evidence admissible under the rules of evidence applies, the same is not true for probation violations in either state or federal court.
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SHOPLIFTING
Although shoplifting is not the crime of the century, Arizona law deals with shoplifters harshly.  Most instances of shoplifting are Class 1 Misdemeanors, although shoplifting can become a felony if the value of the stolen item exceeds $1000, if the defendant has prior shoplifting convictions, or if tools are used to facilitate the theft.
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GOVERNOR'S PARDON
If you are ineligible for a set aside, or the relief afforded by that process is insufficient to help you achieve your goals after a felony conviction, the appropriate avenue for post-conviction relief may very well be to seek a Governor's pardon.  This is a difficult process, but provides the most comprehensive relief for those convicted of felonies.  Those who have demonstrated strong rehabilitation might be able to use this process to restore their rights and avoid the difficulties that result from a felony conviction.
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UNLICENSED DRIVER
Driving without a license, or with a suspended driving privilege often elevates what would have just been a minor traffic ticket to being a criminal charge.  There are many different reasons that a person can have their driving privilege suspended or revoked, and the process to getting your driver's license back (including getting a restricted license) can be complicated and time-consuming.
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PROSTITUTION/SOLICITATION
Prostitution offenses carry mandatory jail time in Arizona and in Tucson.  There are defenses, that can help to avoid a conviction.  Some related offenses include: pandering, child sex trafficking, keeping a house of prostitution, procurement of persons for prostitution, taking a child for the purpose of prostitution, receiving earnings of a prostitute and more.
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AGGRAVATED DUI
If Arizona's DUI laws were not already harsh enough, there are certain categories of DUI, including a third DUI within 7 years, DUI with a child under 15 in the car, or driving the wrong way on a highway, that result in felony charges, and harsh prison sentences.  Aggravated DUI is prosecuted harshly, and should be defended aggressively.
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DUI CAUSING INJURY
Arizona's harsh DUI laws punish offenses involving bodily injury or significant harm to another person (passenger, another driver, another vehicle's passenger, pedestrian) most harshly.  DUI with injury is a felony under Arizona law, and even a first offense can result in a prison sentence.
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DUI WITH A PRIOR
Repeat offense DUI charges carry some significant penalties.  For example, a second DUI within 7 years carries a minimum of 30 days in jail.  Prior convictions from outside of Arizona may also be used to enhance penalties in new cases.  Multiple DUI offenses are often complicated by DUI probation, license suspensions, and more.
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DUI DRUGS
Drinking and driving isn't the only way to end up facing Driving Under the Influence charges.  In Arizona, you can be charged with DUI for the slightest amount of impairment, or no impairment at all, if there are any drugs or metabolites in your system.  Illegal drugs, as well as prescription medications and medical marijuana can all result in DUI charges.
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KIDNAPPING
Kidnapping is a very serious crime, both under Arizona law and federal law.  In Arizona, kidnapping is punishable by as much as 21 years in prison, and is governed by a broad statute that can include a wide range of conduct that we generally would not consider to fit the traditional definition of kidnapping.  In federal cases, kidnapping is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.  Kidnapping defense is complex, and requires a skilled, experience, and knowledgeable defense attorney.
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CUSTODIAL INTERFERENCE
Taking or keeping a child from a rightful guardian can be a very serious crime in Arizona.  Often charged in cases of joint custody, there are a number of different ways that a person can find themselves charged with custodial interference.
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FELON IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM
Both Arizona and Federal Law prohibit possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Similarly, those convicted of certain misdemeanors, adjudicated delinquents, those found incompetent, insane, or a danger to themselves, and drug users/addicts may be charged with felony offenses for having a firearm.
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SEXUAL ASSAULT/RAPE
Sexual assault and violent sexual assault are among the most harshly prosecuted crimes in Arizona, sometimes resulting in a sentence of life imprisonment.  Non-consensual sexual intercourse or oral copulation with another person is a serious crime, and is made even more serious when it involves force, violence or weapons.  Sexual assault and rape prosecutions are a top priority of prosecuting agencies in Pima County and Arizona.
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SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH A MINOR (STATUTORY RAPE)
Arizona's age of consent is 18.  This means that a person under the age of 18 cannot legally consent to sex.  With few exceptions, sex with a person under 18 is a felony, and is harshly prosecuted in Arizona.
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ASSET FORFEITURE
State and Federal law enforcement agencies in Arizona engage in large scale operations targeting cash, vehicles, real property, and bank accounts, often with little to no evidence of criminal activity.  Unfortunately, the law permits this practice, and makes combating it and protecting your property rights complicated and troublesome.  If you have had your money or property taken by a law enforcement agency in Arizona, there may be a way to get it back.  Contact our firm now to discuss the details of your case, the procedures, and any other questions you may have.
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DRUG MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing of dangerous and narcotic drugs in Arizona is a serious crime that can result in both state and federal charges.  Although these laws most frequently pertain to methamphetamine and MDMA, they also apply to manufacture of LSD, PCP, synthetic cannabinoids, and dozens of other prohibited substances.  Possession of precursor chemicals alone can result in serious felony charges.
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MARIJUANA CRIMES
Even as marijuana laws have been changing across the nation, marijuana is illegal under Federal law, and even with the passage of Prop 207, state laws can still punish possession of large amounts of marijuana, unlicensed sales, and grow operations.  Our firm handles every type of marijuana criminal case, from simple possession of marijuana, to cultivation and manufacture of concentrates.
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MARIJUANA CULTIVATION
Marijuana laws are changing, creating a legal grey area.  Arizona is balancing its very strict drug laws with a legal medical and recreational marijuana industry.  Both licensed and unlicensed grow operations can run afoul of state and federal laws regarding marijuana cultivation.
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MINOR IN POSSESSION
Arizona law prohibits possession or consumption of alcohol for anyone under 21 years of age.  MIP and MIC citations are very common in Tucson, and while jail time is very unlikely, a permanent criminal record can impact school, work, driver's license, immigration status, and more.
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ILLEGAL ENTRY/RE-ENTRY
One of the more common categories of Federal criminal charges in Tucson arise out of illegal border crossings.  Alien smuggling, illegal entry, and illegal re-entry (by a person previously deported) are serious federal offenses.  If you or a loved on has been charged with a federal crime relating to illegal entry, alien smuggling, illegal re-entry or any other border-related crime, call us to discuss your case.
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IMPORTING NARCOTICS
Importation of any drugs into the United States or transportation across the state of Arizona are very serious crimes and can be very harshly punished.  If you or a loved one has been charged with drug smuggling, narcotics trafficking, transportation of a controlled substance, or similar charges, you need an attorney to help you fight these serious charges.
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SEX TRAFFICKING/CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING
One of the most serious and harshly prosecuted categories of crimes in Arizona, both under state and federal law involves human trafficking, human sex trafficking, and child sex trafficking.  These crimes cover a broad range of conduct, and small details can make a huge difference in the way these cases are prosecuted and the potential punishment if convicted.
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