Goodyear Violent Crimes Lawyer

Few types of criminal offenses carry penalties as severe as violent crimes. If you have been accused of an event that could be considered “violent,” expect the consequences of a conviction to be far more serious than if you were charged with a lower-level, misdemeanor offense. You must take your defense strategy seriously when the stakes are this high.

Turn to a knowledgeable Goodyear violent crimes lawyer from Suzuki Law Offices to take action when your freedom is on the line. Your trial-proven Goodyear criminal defense lawyer with our firm has over 30 years of experience and a powerful track record of successfully defending the innocent and the accused.

Find out more about the severity of the violent crime charges you are facing and potential ways you may be able to clear your name when you contact our office to request a confidential consultation.

Which Crimes Are Classified as “Violent” in Arizona

Any type of criminal offense that causes serious bodily injury or death or involves the intent to cause serious bodily injury or death could be considered a violent crime in Arizona. Most violent crime charges will be prosecuted at the felony level.

Some of the most common types of crimes that are considered violent under Arizona law include:

• Aggravated assault with a deadly or dangerous weapon under ARS § 13-1204(A)(2)
• Assault under ARS § 13-1203
• Armed robbery under ARS § 13-1904
• Arson of an occupied structure or building under ARS § 13-1703
• Child abuse under ARS § 13-3623
• Dangerous crimes against children under ARS § 13-705(T)
• Domestic violence under ARS § 13-3601
• Drive-by shooting under ARS § 13-1209
• First-degree burglary under ARS § 13-1508
• First-degree murder under ARS § 13-1105
• Kidnapping under ARS § 13-1304
• Manslaughter under ARS § 13-1103
• Sexual assault under ARS § 13-1406

Murder

One of the most serious violent crimes you could be accused of committing is first-degree murder. Here, you are accused of planning and intentionally killing someone else or an unborn child. This is typically prosecuted as a class one felony. If convicted, you could be facing the death penalty.

Second-degree murder charges are less serious but still carry harsh penalties. You can be charged with second-degree murder if you killed someone recklessly or intentionally in a way that you knew would likely cause death. This offense shows a complete disregard for human life and is typically tried as a class one felony with mandatory minimum prison terms.

Similarly, you could face manslaughter or negligent homicide charges. Neither manslaughter nor negligent homicide includes the intent to cause death. For this reason, these offenses are generally tried as class two and class four felonies, respectively.

Aggravated Assault

Your Goodyear violent crimes attorney has worked with many clients who faced aggravated assault charges. These can apply in multiple situations, such as instances where the alleged victim is restrained or bound, the alleged victim is aged 15 or younger or causes serious injuries. 

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could be facing class two, three, four, five, or six felony charges.

Kidnapping

If you have been accused of intentionally restraining another person, you could be charged with kidnapping. For the prosecutor to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, they will need to show that you inflicted severe bodily injury, death, or sexual assault on the alleged victim, held them for involuntary servitude, or as a shield, hostage, or ransom. 

You can also be charged with a class two, three, or four felony kidnapping offense if you seize control of certain types of vehicles, such as buses, planes, or trains, or interfere with political functions or government performances.

Threatening or Intimidation

You may require the assistance of a Goodyear armed robbery defense lawyer from Suzuki Law Offices if you are accused of intimidation or threatening behavior. This may be considered a violent crime, punishable as a class one misdemeanor or class six or three felony, depending on the details of your case. 

These charges most often apply when you are accused of causing injury to someone else or their property with the intention of assisting a criminal gang or racketeering enterprise or causing a serious public inconvenience.

Penalties Associated With Violent Crime Convictions

The consequences you will face if you are found guilty of a violent crime depend on the class of the charges against you. Most violent crimes are prosecuted at the felony level. According to the Arizona Courts, the possible penalties for Dangerous Offenses include the following:

• Class two felony – As a first-time offender, you could spend up to 21 years in prison, while habitual offenders could face up to 35 years in prison.
• Class three felony – As a first-time offender, you could spend up to 15 years in prison, while habitual offenders could spend up to 25 years in prison.
• Class four felony – As a first-time offender, you could spend eight years in prison, while habitual offenders could spend up to 15 years in prison.
• Class five felony – As a first-time offender, you could spend up to four years in prison, while habitual offenders could spend up to 7.5 years in prison.
• Class six felony – As a first-time offender, you could spend up to three years in prison, while habitual offenders could spend up to 5.6 years in prison.

These penalties can be enhanced for dangerous crimes against children and sex crimes as described under ARS § 13-705 and ARS § 13-1406(D), respectively. First-time offenders could face up to 35 years to life in prison, depending on the type of violent or sex crime they have been accused of committing. 

Without the assistance of an experienced and dedicated Goodyear sex crimes lawyer, habitual offenders of dangerous crimes against children or sex crimes may also be subject to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Contact a Trial-Proven Violent Crimes Lawyer in Goodyear for Help Today

Depending on the type of violent crime you have been accused of, you could be looking at life in prison. When your liberties are at risk, it has never been more important for you to safeguard your future. Do not let this opportunity to build a powerful defense strategy pass you by.

Trust in a highly experienced violent crimes attorney in Goodyear from Suzuki Law Offices to help you avoid the devastating penalties of a conviction. Our firm will be prepared to challenge unlawfully obtained evidence, introduce reasonable doubt, and do everything possible to secure the favorable outcome you need to get home to your family sooner.

Fill out our confidential contact form or call our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today.

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