South Tucson Violent Crimes Lawyer

You could be facing life in prison without the possibility of parole if you are convicted of certain types of criminal offenses. Crimes that result in serious bodily injury or death carry harsh penalties. When your liberties are on the line, a high-powered South Tucson violent crimes lawyer from Suzuki Law Offices handling your defense can help.

With 30+ years of trial experience and a team of former and retired law enforcement investigators on your side, you may be able to successfully defend yourself. With the support of a dedicated South Tucson criminal defense lawyer, you have an opportunity to safeguard your future. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today and learn more about what to expect while you await trial and possible defense strategies that could be used to clear your name.

Suzuki Law Offices Takes on Most Violent Crime Cases 

Your legal representative should have extensive experience handling cases similar to yours. After all, a criminal defense team that has spent decades navigating thousands of violent crime cases will benefit you more than a criminal defense team that focuses almost exclusively on drunk driving charges. 

With that being said, here are some of the most common types of violent crimes we take on at Suzuki Law Offices:

Murder

One of the most serious types of violent crime cases we defend against is homicide. According to the homicide definitions under ARS § 13-1101, you can be charged with murder in the first degree under ARS § 13-1105 or second degree under ARS § 13-1104. First-degree murder charges involve premeditation and intent, while second-degree murder charges can involve reckless or intentional death without premeditation.

In either case, the penalties are severe. If convicted of first-degree murder, you could face life in prison without parole. Under ARS § 13-751, you could even face the death penalty.

If convicted of second-degree murder, you could spend up to 25 years in prison. Other violent crime charges similar to murder include negligent homicide under ARS § 13-1102 and manslaughter under ARS § 13-1103. If convicted of manslaughter, you could spend up to 12.5 years in prison, while a negligent homicide conviction is punishable by up to eight years in prison as described by Supreme Court State of Arizona Criminal Code Sentencing Provisions.

Assault

Assault can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances of your case. Your South Tucson armed robbery defense lawyer will attempt to get your charges reduced to a lesser offense whenever possible. Here are some of the penalties you could expect if you are convicted of different types of assault charges in Arizona:

• Simple assault under ARS § 13-1203 – This can be tried as a class one, two, or three misdemeanor. If convicted of a class one misdemeanor, the most serious of simple assault charges, you could spend up to six months in jail, three years on probation, and pay up to $2,500 in fines.
• Aggravated assault under ARS § 13-1204 – This can be tried as a class two, three, four, or five felony. If convicted of a class two felony, the most serious of the aggravated assault charges, you could be sentenced to a mandatory minimum prison term of seven years and up to a maximum of 35 years in prison.

Kidnapping 

In most cases, kidnapping is considered a class two felony under ARS § 13-1304. However, charges could be reduced to a class three felony if you can work out a plea agreement with the state and the alleged victim is not seriously injured or killed.

If convicted of kidnapping, you could be facing up to 25 years in an Arizona state prison.

Statute of Limitations for Violent Crimes in AZ 

If you are working with a South Tucson sex crimes lawyer from our firm to handle violent crime charges from years ago, you may wonder whether the statute of limitations has expired. Just because the prosecutor has filed charges does not mean the statute of limitations has not already passed. The type of violent crime charges you are accused of committing will determine how long the state has to pursue your case.

In most cases, there is no statute of limitations for violent or serious offenses. Felonies have a seven-year statute of limitations under ARS § 13-107, while misdemeanors have a one-year statute of limitations deadline. Of course, in some cases, the statute of limitations could temporarily pause its countdown.

If the prosecutor does not file charges before time runs out, your case should be dismissed. Our team can file a motion to get the charges against you dropped if we can prove the statute of limitations has expired. Remember that the majority of violent crimes do not have a statute of limitations, which means charges could be filed decades after the offense.

The Burden of Proof is Beyond a Reasonable Doubt 

Your South Tucson violent crimes attorney will be responsible for defending you in court. Although you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, often, it is up to your criminal defense team to establish your innocence or introduce reasonable doubt. The burden of proof in criminal cases is beyond a reasonable doubt, according to the Arizona Judicial Branch.

This means the prosecutor must prove beyond any reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the offense in question. This means the jury must find that any other reasonable person would convict you. If the prosecutor does not meet this burden, the jury should find you not guilty.

Click to contact our South Tucson Criminal Defense Lawyers today

Meet With a Diligent Violent Crimes Lawyer in South Tucson for Help Today

When you have been accused of committing a serious violent crime against someone else, your reputation could be destroyed. Even if you are acquitted, you will need to contend with the fallout of these accusations and charges for years to come. It is imperative that you present the strongest defense strategy possible if you hope to dodge a conviction and protect your life.

Fortunately, when you have our former prosecutors building your case, you can rest a little easier knowing our experienced legal professionals are doing everything in their power to defend you. Schedule your confidential consultation with a premier violent crimes attorney in South Tucson from Suzuki Law Offices today. Reach us through our secure contact form or by phone to get started with an initial defense strategy session.

Call or text 602-682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form