If your mind is running a million miles a minute after being accused of or arrested for a domestic violence offense, you may be panicking and terrified. Criminal penalties aside, there is virtually no aspect of your life that will not be affected if you are convicted. It is critical that you build a convincing defense strategy if you hope to safeguard your reputation and relationship with your family.
Fortunately, a reputable Mesa domestic violence defense lawyer from Suzuki Law Offices can guide you every step of the way. We pride ourselves on our commitment to integrity and ethical legal representation, and we’re always available when our clients need us most.
Schedule your initial consultation with a dedicated Mesa violent crimes lawyer today to find out more about what to do if an order of protection is taken out against you and potential strategies for clearing your name.
Challenging the Domestic Violence Allegations Against You
When you are accused of domestic violence, your entire life will be affected. Not only could you be subject to criminal penalties, but the reputational damage could hurt your career and destroy your relationships with your family and friends.
Some of the most common ways our Mesa criminal defense lawyers refute domestic violence allegations include:
- Presenting a solid alibi
- Constitutional rights violations by arresting officers or prosecuting attorneys
- False accusations
- Uncooperative accusers
- Lack of sufficient evidence
- Mistaken identity
- Self-defense
These are just some potential defenses that could be used if your case goes to trial. In some instances, the prosecutor may be willing to offer a plea deal. You are unlikely to qualify for pretrial diversion, as this is generally reserved for nonviolent offenses per ARS § 9-500.22.
Committed to providing exceptional legal service to each and every client through integrity, compassion and experience.
Get StartedCrimes That Carry Domestic Violence Designations in Mesa
There is no formal criminal charge for domestic violence. However, criminal offenses can be given a domestic violence designation as described by ARS § 13-3601. Below are examples of common charges your Mesa domestic violence defense attorney may be able to challenge.
Disorderly Conduct
Disorderly conduct may be considered a broad offense, but it can carry a domestic violence designation if the person disturbed was a roommate, intimate partner, or family member. It can include many types of behaviors, such as the reckless handling of a deadly weapon, making unreasonably loud noises, or using offensive language. This is a wobbler offense, so it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.
If you are charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct under ARS § 13-2904, under subsection (A)(1-5), you could be facing probation, $2,500 in fines, and up to six months in jail. However, under subsection (A)(6), you could be facing a felony charge that carries a minimum of one and a half years in prison and a maximum of three years in prison if convicted. If you have prior felonies on your record, you could be facing up to six years behind bars.
Aggravated Assault
Assault and aggravated assault are two of the most common types of charges that can carry domestic violence designations. If you are accused of suffocating or strangling the alleged victim, you will face class four felony charges. If convicted, you could be facing mandatory minimum prison time, up to 25 years in prison if you are a habitual offender, and other serious penalties per ARS § 13-1204(B)(1).
Sexual Assault
As described under ARS § 13-1406, sexual assault by a family member or while in a relationship is considered a type of domestic violence. This is typically tried as a class two felony. If you have multiple felony convictions on your record, you could be facing a mandatory minimum of 14 years and up to 28 years in an Arizona state prison facility.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could also face stalking charges under ARS § 13-2923. Your Mesa sex crimes lawyer with Suzuki Law Offices may be able to help you challenge this class five or class three felony. If convicted of class five felony stalking, you could spend up to two and a half years in prison, while a class three felony stalking conviction is punishable by up to seven years in prison.
Lawyer Near Me 602-682-5270Mesa Domestic Violence Statistics
The results from the Arizona Crime Statistics Annual Report are more than a little alarming. The substantial number of domestic violence incidents across the city and across the state explains why law enforcement officials and district attorneys are quick to prosecute these offenses. Some of the most notable domestic violence and aggravated assault statistics for Mesa include:
- 1470 reports of aggravated assault as of November 2024.
- Aggravated assault rates are down nearly 16.5% from 2023.
- 21.3% or 441 of all aggravated assault reports involved intimate parties.
- 11.9% or 247 of all aggravated assault reports involved family members.
- 45.4% of all sexual assault reports involved acquaintances.
- 91 or 18.3% of all sexual assault reports involved family members.
- 9.3% or 46 of all sexual assault reports involved intimate parties.
While domestic violence and related offenses continue to be a major cause for concern, prosecutors may jump the gun and file charges preemptively. Fortunately, your lawyer will be prepared to file the necessary pre-trial motions to get unlawfully obtained evidence tossed out and protect your rights.
We will do everything in our power to protect your reputation and take advantage of one of the common reasons domestic violence cases are dismissed.
Click to contact our Mesa Violent Crimes Lawyers today
Contact a Compassionate Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer in Mesa for Help Clearing Your Name Today
In the hours and days following your arrest, the future may seem bleak. You may be losing hope that the criminal justice system will never work as it should. However, with the right domestic violence defense attorney in Mesa handling your case, you have a real opportunity to avoid a guilty verdict and start to make up for your mistakes with your family.
Suzuki Law Offices is standing by, ready to provide our considerable resources and use our decades of trial experience to help you get through some of the most challenging times of your life. When you need help getting an order of protection dropped or dodging a conviction with a domestic violence designation, our team is here for you.
Schedule your confidential consultation as soon as today by submitting our secured contact form or calling our office.
Call or text 602-682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form